We support children, teenagers and families in a range of ways.
Every child and family is different, so we offer different programs and service options that can be shaped around what matters most to you.
Individual Programs
Individual programs provide one-on-one support with an occupational therapist to help children and young people build the skills they need to participate more confidently in everyday life. These sessions allow our therapists to get to know your child’s unique strengths and challenges, work with you (and them) to set meaningful goals, and trial practical strategies and tools that support progress. Support can take place in our therapy hubs, at home, in school or in the community, depending on what makes the most sense for your child. Individual programs are often where a child’s OT journey begins, helping develop foundational skills before moving into other programs that support real-world participation.
Peer Program
Our peer programs bring children and young people together to build skills, confidence and connection through shared experiences. With more than 15 years of experience running group-based therapy, our programs are thoughtfully designed to support different ages and outcomes, from structured skill development groups for younger children to interest-led programs and social coaching for tweens and teens. Facilitated by our trained therapists and therapy assistants, these programs create safe, supportive spaces where participants can practise real-life skills like communication, regulation, collaboration and independence while connecting with peers and having fun together.
Community Inclusion Program
Our Community Inclusion Program (CIP) supports children and young people to participate more fully in everyday life within their own community. Working alongside your occupational therapist, we identify meaningful community goals — such as joining activities, building independence at home, or participating in sport, leisure or social opportunities. A trained Community Inclusion Coach is then matched to your child to provide practical, real-world support and guidance while working toward these goals. The program focuses on helping children and teens apply the skills they’ve developed in therapy in real-life settings, building confidence, participation and independence in the places that matter most.
Grown Up Supports
At Kids & Community, we know that supporting the important adults in a child or teen’s life is one of the most powerful ways to support positive outcomes. Our Grown-Up Supports focus on building the confidence, knowledge and capacity of parents, carers, educators and other key adults so they feel equipped to support children in everyday life. Through options such as parent coaching, discussion groups, educator training, app-based support and facilitated programs, we create spaces where grown-ups can learn, connect, share experiences and develop practical strategies. By strengthening the adults around a child, we help create environments where children and young people can participate, grow and thrive.
Family Foundations Program
Our Family Foundations Program supports families of young children in the early stages of navigating an unexpected pathway or a key transition. Working alongside a dedicated Family Foundations Coach, we focus on understanding your family’s values, routines and hopes for your child, and identifying practical ways to strengthen everyday family life. Together, we look for opportunities within daily routines to support your child’s development and growing independence, while also helping you connect with helpful supports and feel confident advocating for your child. Inspired by a key worker model, this program focuses on strengthening the foundations around the child — recognising that when families feel supported and confident, children have the best opportunity to thrive.
Learning & Playing Together
Our Playing and Learning Together Program supports educators to build inclusive learning environments where all children and young people can participate, learn and thrive. Working with educators across early childhood education and care settings, primary schools and high schools, we provide practical training, guidance and collaborative support to strengthen inclusive practices. Through workshops, consultations and in-setting collaboration, we explore strategies that support participation in play and learning, regulation, engagement and classroom inclusion. By building the confidence and capacity of educators, we help create learning environments where every child has the opportunity to belong and succeed.
Our School-Based Services support children to participate and engage more successfully within their learning environments. Working collaboratively with educators, we observe and understand how a child functions within the classroom and school setting before developing targeted strategies that support participation in learning and everyday school activities. Our approach prioritises working alongside the education team to build shared understanding, practical strategies and consistent supports within the child’s natural environment, only withdrawing a child for individual intervention when it is necessary to achieve their goals. By partnering closely with schools and families, we help ensure skills are supported where they matter most — in the classroom and throughout the school day.
While You Wait Program
Our While You Wait Program provides short-term support for families while they are waiting to begin ongoing services. Rather than waiting without guidance, families can access targeted input from our team to explore specific concerns, develop practical strategies and begin building key skills. The program focuses on helping families feel supported and confident to take meaningful steps forward, while ensuring early progress can begin before longer-term supports are in place.
Café Program
Our Café Program provides teenagers with the opportunity to build skills and confidence through real-life experiences in an authentic community café setting. With support from an occupational therapist and OT assistants, teens work through a personalised program that focuses on workplace-style skills such as communication, task organisation, regulation, hygiene and safety. The program runs in stages, beginning with learning the basics of café work, moving into targeted skill development and gradually supporting young people to work more independently. By practising these skills in a real-world environment, teens gain valuable experience, confidence and independence as they prepare for greater participation in work and community life.
Pathways to a First Job
Our Pre-Vocational Programs, including Steps for Success and Next Steps, support teenagers to explore their interests and develop the skills needed for casual work and greater independence. Designed for teens of working age, these programs provide opportunities to build practical workplace skills, confidence and teamwork through structured tasks and social experiences with peers. Participants explore their strengths, identify areas for skill development and learn strategies that support success in work environments. As skills grow, the program can progress toward exploring real job opportunities or supported work experience in the community.
School Leavers Program
Our School Leavers Program continues to develop. It focuses on focus on supporting young people as they transition from school life into adulthood. This program provides targeted individualised supports to help school leavers build the skills, confidence and independence needed for life beyond school. Working alongside young people, their families and the wider support network, the program explores goals related to community participation, employment pathways, daily living skills and navigating new adult environments.The aim is to support young people through this significant transition and help set them up with strong foundations for adult life.