School Holiday Support on the Sunshine Coast: A Family Guide
School holiday support helps people with disability continue daily routines and take part in activities they choose while school is on break. For Sunshine Coast families, planning may involve in-home assistance, community access and support with personal care. The right arrangements depend on the person's preferences, disability-related needs and available supports.
When the school routine pauses, families may need to rethink how each day works. Who will help with getting ready? How will outings fit around rest? What does your child or teen actually want to do? A useful holiday plan starts with these everyday questions.
Sunshine Family Support (SFS) provides personalised disability support on the Sunshine Coast. This guide explains what to consider when arranging support during the school holidays, with practical ideas for time at home and in the community.
What support should you plan for during school holidays?
Start with the parts of the day where assistance is needed, then build activities around them. Consider personal care, communication, mobility, meals, travel and the transition between home and an outing. Discuss each requirement with your provider before agreeing on support hours.
A simple planning checklist can help:
Daily routines: identify which familiar routines you want to keep, including getting ready, meals and rest.
Personal care: explain the assistance required and when it is needed.
Communication: share how the person makes choices, asks for help and shows they need a break.
Community access: choose outings that match their interests and access needs.
Family schedules: note the dates and times when existing support arrangements will change.
Backup plans: agree on alternatives for wet weather, tiredness or a change of preference.
Include the person in these decisions using their preferred way of communicating. A holiday plan should leave room for saying no, changing direction and enjoying an unhurried day.
How can a support worker help during the holidays?
Depending on the agreed arrangements, a support worker can assist with daily tasks at home or help someone participate in the community. For example, a person might need help getting dressed before an outing, communicating at a venue or moving around an unfamiliar space.
SFS's disability support services include in-home support, assistance with daily life, and community access and support. These services are tailored to individual needs and choices.
Explain what a good day looks like for your family and what support is required to make it possible. Ask SFS about suitability and availability for your preferred dates, including any transport or personal care arrangements.
How do you choose school holiday activities on the Sunshine Coast?
Choose an activity around the person's interests first, then check the environment and support required. A short, familiar outing may be more enjoyable than a full day of new experiences. Consider the journey, accessible facilities, noise, crowds and opportunities to rest.
Library visits and creative activities
Browse Sunshine Coast Libraries' What's On for current activities. Check age groups and booking requirements before choosing a session. A simple visit to select books can also work well without a scheduled event.
At home, offer a choice of drawing, music, cooking or a small creative project. Match the activity to the person's age and interests, and adapt the steps so they can participate in a way that suits them.
Gardens and outdoor time
The Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden is one local option to explore when planning an outdoor visit. Check current visitor information and whether your chosen route suits the person's mobility and access needs.
You could plan a short outing with time to look at plants, take photographs or enjoy a picnic. Agree on a comfortable duration and an alternative if the weather changes.
Social outings and everyday interests
A café catch-up, a visit to a friend or shopping for a chosen recipe can be meaningful ways to spend time together. Ask the person who they want to see and what they want to do.
For teens, make space for independence and time with peers. Adults with disability can also plan outings during the holiday period, based on their own interests and relationships.
These are activity ideas to explore individually. Confirm venue details and support arrangements before booking.
How can you make holiday routines more manageable?
Keep a few familiar points in the day while allowing flexibility between them. You might agree on breakfast, one chosen activity and a quiet period afterwards. Some people prefer a written or visual plan; others may want a brief conversation about what happens next.
Before a new outing, share useful details such as where you are going, who will be there and how you will get home. If it helps the person, look at venue photographs together. Agree on how they can ask to pause or leave.
For example, a morning could involve getting ready with assistance, visiting the library and returning home for lunch. This is a planning example, rather than a fixed timetable: adapt the pace and support to the individual.
Can NDIS funding cover school holiday support?
The NDIS may fund extra assistance needed to participate in social and recreation activities because of disability, where the funding requirements are met. Ordinary activity costs, such as entry fees, memberships and standard equipment, are generally paid by the participant. See the NDIS social and recreation support guidance.
A holiday activity is not automatically funded because a participant has an NDIS plan. For children, the NDIS also considers the support normally expected from parents at their age. Confirm what applies to your plan before committing to services.
Ask for a clear breakdown of support charges, transport arrangements and any separate activity costs. If you are unsure about funding, speak with your NDIS contact or support coordinator.
How do you arrange support with Sunshine Family Support?
Contact SFS with your preferred dates, location and the assistance required. SFS works with self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants. The team can discuss your needs, service suitability and availability.
To prepare for the conversation:
List the dates and approximate hours when support is needed.
Describe the person's interests, routines and communication preferences.
Explain personal care, mobility and other relevant support needs.
Share any activities you are considering and transport questions.
Confirm the agreed services, costs and cancellation terms before booking.
Talk to SFS about your school holiday plans
Start with the support that would make the biggest difference to your day. Whether you are planning time at home or a community outing, tell us what matters to the person and your family.
Call 0493 220 715 or email admin@sunshinefamilysupport.com.au to discuss school holiday support on the Sunshine Coast.
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