Key Worker Model

One trusted guide for your child’s therapy journey.

Early childhood can feel overwhelming when lots of therapists, appointments and reports are involved — especially under NDIS funding and early intervention requirements.

The Key Worker Model is a best-practice approach in Australia’s Early Childhood Approach. It is supported and recommended by the NDIS and Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA) for young children who are eligible for early childhood / early intervention supports.

At Therapies for Kids, our Key Worker Model gives your family one main therapist — your Key Worker — who coordinates every aspect of your child’s therapy and development. Your Key Worker partners closely with our full allied health team (Speech Pathology, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and other disciplines as needed) to make therapy smoother, easier to manage, and more consistent for your child and family.

Fewer people to chase. More clarity. Support that actually fits into your real life.

How the Key Worker Model works

We simplify the process by giving you one main point of contact who knows your child, understands your goals, and brings the whole team together behind those goals.

Here’s what to expect:

Initial consultation

One of our experienced therapists will meet with you to understand your child’s strengths, challenges, medical or developmental needs, everyday routines, and family goals. We’ll also discuss your NDIS plan or early intervention needs, where relevant.

Matching you with your Key Worker

You’ll be paired with a therapist whose skills best match your child’s developmental and functional goals (for example, Speech Pathologist, Physiotherapist, or Occupational Therapist). Your Key Worker becomes your main therapist and primary contact.

Collaborative planning

Your Key Worker builds a practical plan with you — and works alongside our wider Therapies for Kids team across all therapy areas. This is a transdisciplinary approach: your Key Worker draws on the knowledge of the whole team, so you don’t have to coordinate multiple therapists on your own.

Ongoing sessions and check-ins

Your Key Worker provides regular therapy sessions and keeps communication flowing. They review progress with you every 3–6 months (or sooner if things change), and meet with other therapists as needed to keep everything consistent across services (clinic, preschool, home, community etc.). Sessions may be weekly, twice per week, or longer blocks of therapy — depending on your child’s goals and plan.

Celebrating milestones & planning next steps

As your child builds new skills, your Key Worker helps plan the next goals, supports transitions (for example, preschool to school), and makes sure everyone involved in your child’s care is on the same page.

Building family capacity

A key part of this model is supporting you. Your Key Worker will coach you, share strategies that fit naturally into daily routines, and build your confidence to support your child’s development at home and in the community — step by step.

Why this matters: The NDIS considers the Key Worker Model to be best practice in early intervention because it supports children AND builds capacity in the family.

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Who your Key Worker might be

Your Key Worker could be a:

Your Key Worker:

Delivers therapy directly with your child
Coaches you as a parent/carer
Coordinates input from our broader allied health team
May be supported by an Allied Health Assistant, who carries out guided, play-based activities that are designed and overseen by our qualified therapists

Together, they work as one connected team with you — so your child isn’t being “handed around,” and you’re not repeating the same story to everyone.

The benefits for your family

Our Key Worker Model is designed to make life easier for families while achieving great developmental outcomes for children.

You’ll experience:

One main point of contact

You have one familiar therapist coordinating all therapy, communication, and planning — instead of juggling multiple providers on your own.

Consistency and connection

Your child builds trust and confidence with a familiar face who understands their journey, communication style, sensory needs, and supports.

Collaborative expertise

You still get the benefit of our full transdisciplinary team — Speech Pathology, OT, Physio and more — but your Key Worker leads that process with you.

Support for parents and carers

Your Key Worker will coach you, answer questions, and help you feel confident supporting developmental goals in daily life (home, preschool, school, community).

Well-coordinated therapy

Therapy is purposeful, goal-focused, and aligned with your NDIS plan or early intervention goals. We remove duplication and confusion.

More value for families

Sessions are structured, efficient, and fit within NDIS early childhood and capacity-building budgets where appropriate.

You get clarity, not chaos.

Less stress with the system

We communicate with other therapists and services (with your consent) so there is a united plan moving forward — not five separate versions.

Research and national guidelines tell us that families supported by a Key Worker experience:

(This aligns with Australia’s Early Childhood Approach and ECIA/NDIS best-practice principles for children in early intervention.)

A day in the life of a Key Worker

Every child is different, so every day looks different — but here’s what your Key Worker might be doing:

Supporting your child in 1:1 sessions in our clinic
Visiting your child’s preschool, daycare, or community setting to observe, support inclusion, and share strategies
Meeting with other Therapies for Kids clinicians to review goals and progress
Helping embed therapy strategies into everyday routines, play, movement, communication, and self-care
Checking in with you and adjusting the plan if something changes (new school routine, new safety concern, rapid progress, new challenge, etc.)

It’s therapy that is coordinated, consistent and purposeful — designed to fit your world, not force you to fit ours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Key Worker Model for?

The Key Worker Model is most often used for young children (generally 0–9 years old) who are receiving NDIS early childhood / early intervention supports. It is also sometimes used for older children when it’s clinically appropriate and helpful for the family structure, goals, or therapy load (for example, complex needs across multiple areas).

Does a Key Worker replace all other therapies?

No. Your Key Worker does not “replace” Speech, OT, Physio etc.

Instead, they lead and coordinate your child’s whole program. They bring in (and communicate with) the right therapists at the right time — so goals are shared, strategies are consistent, and therapy makes sense across settings.

Is it covered by the NDIS?

Yes. The Key Worker Model is supported under most NDIS early childhood and capacity-building budgets, because it aligns with best practice for early intervention and builds family capacity. We will always discuss your individual plan and make sure the model is appropriate before proceeding.

How often do sessions occur?

Session frequency depends on your child’s needs and agreed goals.

Many families start with weekly sessions and then review progress each term. Some children may require twice-weekly sessions or longer therapy blocks for a period of time — for example, to build momentum around a specific developmental goal.

Can we change Key Workers if needed?

Absolutely. The relationship needs to feel right for you and your child. If at any point you’d like to review the fit, we’ll work with you to make sure you are supported by the best person for your child’s needs.

Would a Key Worker support your child’s development?

The Key Worker Model can reduce overwhelm and help your child make meaningful progress through a trusted, family-centred partnership.

Chat with our team to find out if this model is right for your child.