SOCIAL COMMUNICATION & PARTICIPATION GROUPS

Building Confidence, Communication and Connection

Our Social Communication & Participation Groups are designed for children aged 5–8 years who may benefit from additional support with communication, relationships, cooperative play, everyday routines and participation.
Sessions provide children with opportunities to practise skills through supported games, creative activities and group experiences in a welcoming environment.
The focus is on helping children communicate their needs, build relationships and participate more comfortably in school, community and everyday settings.
Children working together on a large construction activity.

Who Are These Groups For?

These groups are designed for children aged 5–8 years who may benefit from support with areas such as:
  • Communication
  • Expressing choices and needs
  • Social interaction
  • Friendships
  • Cooperative play
  • Emotional regulation
  • Group participation
  • Everyday routines
  • Transitions
  • Independence
  • School and community participation
The aim is not for every child to participate in exactly the same way. Support is adapted around each child’s strengths, interests, communication style and everyday needs.
Children creating a shared drawing and taking turns.

What Happens During a Session?

Sessions are practical and interactive.

Supported Games

Games can provide opportunities to practise turn-taking, communication, cooperation, problem-solving and following simple group routines.

Creative Activities

Creative experiences can help children express ideas, make choices, participate alongside others and build confidence.

Cooperative Play

Children are supported to interact with others, share activities and practise working together.

Communication Activities

Activities can encourage children to express choices, feelings and needs in ways that work for them.

Group Challenges

Simple group activities can support participation, problem-solving, flexibility and working alongside others.

Friendship-Building Activities

Children are given opportunities to practise positive interaction and develop confidence participating with peers.
A parent and two children exploring sounds together in a community play space.

What Can These Groups Support?

Communication

Helping children express their needs, make choices and communicate more comfortably with others.

Relationships

Supporting children to build positive interactions and develop confidence connecting with peers and adults.

Cooperative Play

Helping children participate in shared activities, take turns and work alongside others.

Emotional Regulation

Supporting children to recognise and express emotions and participate more comfortably during everyday situations.

Participation

Helping children engage in group activities, routines and community experiences.

Independence

Encouraging growing confidence in everyday tasks and participation.

Transitions

Supporting children as they move between activities, environments and routines.

School and Community Participation

Helping children practise skills that can support their participation in school and community life.
Young children exploring shapes together with their carers.

A Strengths-Based Approach

Every child has their own strengths, interests and preferred ways of participating.
Our practitioners take time to understand:
  • What the child enjoys
  • How they communicate
  • What helps them feel comfortable
  • What situations they find challenging
  • Their existing skills
  • Their interests and motivations
  • Their family’s priorities
Activities can then be adapted around these strengths and interests.
Our goal is to help children build confidence from what they can already do.
A child building with colourful tiles while a parent follows their lead.

Helping Children Express Themselves

Communication is about more than speaking.
Children communicate in different ways.
Our groups aim to support children to express:
  • Choices
  • Preferences
  • Feelings
  • Needs
  • Ideas
  • When they need help
  • When they need a break
Practitioners support communication in ways that are appropriate for each child’s development and communication style.
A child choosing a book with a practitioner nearby.

Building Social Confidence

Some children may need additional support to feel comfortable participating with others.
Group activities can provide opportunities to practise:
  • Joining an activity
  • Taking turns
  • Sharing space
  • Working with another child
  • Starting an interaction
  • Responding to others
  • Managing changes
  • Participating in group routines
  • Building friendships
The emphasis is on creating positive opportunities for participation rather than forcing social interaction.
A child and grandparent exploring stepping stones outdoors.

Supporting Emotional Regulation

Children can experience strong emotions when activities, environments or expectations feel difficult.
Our groups may include activities that help children:
  • Recognise feelings
  • Communicate when something feels difficult
  • Practise calm participation
  • Understand routines and expectations
  • Manage transitions
  • Develop practical strategies for everyday situations
Support is developmentally appropriate and focused on helping children participate successfully.
A parent and child sharing a picture book.

Supporting School Readiness and Everyday Participation

The skills practised within these groups can also support children in early learning and school environments.
This may include:
  • Communicating needs
  • Listening and responding
  • Following everyday routines
  • Participating in groups
  • Playing cooperatively
  • Developing independence
  • Managing transitions
  • Building confidence in unfamiliar environments
A child walking towards school with a parent.

Parents and Carers Are Part of the Process

Parents and carers play an important role in helping children use new skills outside the group.
Families may receive practical guidance about how to reinforce learning at home and within everyday routines.
This may include strategies for:
  • Communication
  • Play
  • Friendships
  • Emotional regulation
  • Transitions
  • Daily routines
  • School participation
  • Community activities
The aim is for skills practised during sessions to become useful in the child’s everyday life.
A parent practising a playful interaction with their child.

Family-Centred Support

Families know their children best.
We work with parents, carers and kin to understand:
  • The child’s strengths
  • Family concerns
  • Everyday challenges
  • What is already working well
  • What the family would like to improve
  • Meaningful goals for the child
Family feedback can help shape activities and guide next steps.
A mother explaining her priorities to a practitioner.

Safe and Inclusive Participation

Children should feel safe, respected and included.
We recognise that children may participate differently depending on their:
  • Development
  • Communication style
  • Confidence
  • Sensory preferences
  • Interests
  • Culture
  • Previous experiences
Children are supported to participate at a level that is appropriate for them.
We do not expect every child to behave, communicate or engage in the same way.
A child shaping clay while an adult follows their lead.

Culturally Responsive Support

We work with families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Where appropriate and available, families may have access to:
  • Multilingual practitioners
  • Bicultural workers
  • Qualified interpreters
  • Culturally responsive communication
We aim to ensure families can understand the support being provided and feel respected throughout their involvement with us.
Family members speaking with a practitioner while their child draws.

How Often Do Groups Run?

Social Communication & Participation Groups are designed to run weekly, with sessions generally lasting 60–90 minutes.
Sessions may be offered at accessible afternoon or weekend times, depending on location and availability.

Where Are Groups Held?

Groups may be delivered in suitable, child-friendly community settings such as:
  • Community centres
  • Schools
  • Child and Parent Centres
  • Libraries
  • Partner venues
  • Other accessible community locations
We aim to use environments that support safe and comfortable participation.
Families taking part in a community garden activity.

What Families Can Expect

Families can expect:
  • A welcoming group environment
  • Supported activities
  • Practical and age-appropriate experiences
  • Respect for individual communication styles
  • Strengths-based support
  • Opportunities to build social confidence
  • Practical guidance for parents and carers
  • A focus on everyday participation
  • Support based on meaningful family goals
A parent and child choosing produce together.

Not Sure Whether This Group Is Right for Your Child?

You do not need to decide this on your own.
Our team can talk with you about your child’s strengths, communication, social participation, everyday routines and the areas where you would like additional support.
Together, we can discuss whether a Social Communication & Participation Group may be suitable and identify appropriate next steps.
A parent considering support options during a relaxed first conversation.

Helping Children Connect, Participate and Build Confidence

Our Social Communication & Participation Groups give children opportunities to practise communication, cooperative play, relationships and everyday participation in a supportive environment.
If you would like to learn more or discuss whether this service may be suitable for your child, contact our team.
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