Support Work
Reliable, hands-on support to help your child practise therapy goals in real life, build independence, and participate in everyday moments with confidence.
The Importance of Support Work
Where therapy meets
everyday life.
Behind every therapy session is the morning routine, the school drop-off, the after-school activities, the weekend outings, and the bedtime battles. These are the moments where the real challenges show up, and where the right support makes the biggest difference.
Real skills, real time
Support workers help your child practise the skills they are learning in therapy in the real world, in real time.
Guided by the team
Every support session is informed by your child's therapy goals from our psychologists, OTs, speech pathologists, and nutritionists.
Family respite
Giving families the breathing room they need while keeping your child engaged, safe, and supported.
Support workers bridge the gap between therapy and daily life. Whether it is building independence with self-care, developing social skills at the park, supporting participation in community activities, or giving families respite, they are an essential part of the team.
A week in the life
Support across the whole week
Tap each day to see how a support worker helps your child.
Monday Morning routine and school drop-off
Home and school
Arriving at the home to help your child get ready for the day. Supporting them to get dressed, brush teeth, eat breakfast, and pack their bag using visual schedules and consistent routines. Walking to school, managing the transition from home to classroom, and using calming strategies to make the handover smooth.
Tuesday Grocery shopping trip
Community
A structured outing to the supermarket. Practising real-world skills like following a visual shopping list, handling money, waiting in line, and managing the sensory challenges of a busy store. Building independence and confidence in everyday environments that can feel overwhelming.
Wednesday After-school swimming lesson
Community
Picking your child up from school and taking them to their swimming lesson. Supporting them to get changed, follow the instructor, wait their turn, and manage the sensory challenges of the pool environment. Building the confidence to participate in activities they might otherwise miss out on.
Thursday Community outing to the library
Community
A structured outing to the local library. Practising communication skills in a real environment, using quiet voices, choosing books, waiting in line, and interacting with staff. Building familiarity with community spaces and the confidence to navigate them independently over time.
Friday Home support and family respite
Home
Spending the afternoon at home with your child while parents take a break. Helping with homework, practising self-care skills, playing structured games, and reinforcing mealtime strategies from the nutritionist. Giving the family breathing room while keeping your child engaged, safe, and supported.
Saturday Social outing with peers
Park and playground
Taking your child to the park to meet up with other kids. Supporting them to join in games, take turns on equipment, handle disagreements, and practise the social skills they have been learning in therapy. Building real friendships in real settings.
Sunday Family mealtime and bedtime routine
Home
Supporting the family during Sunday dinner and bedtime. Helping your child sit at the table, try new foods using strategies from the feeding therapist, and follow a calm, predictable bedtime routine. Bath, teeth, pyjamas, and a story, making the end of the week positive and settled.
Every interaction counts
At Foundations First, support workers are trained and guided by our full clinical team. Nothing is wasted and every moment is an opportunity to practise, grow, and participate.
Support Work in Action
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Transition Support
Helping your child manage the tricky moments between activities, whether it is leaving the house, arriving at school, or moving between tasks throughout the day.
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Sensory Regulation in Real Life
Implementing sensory strategies from your child's OT in everyday settings, from managing noise at the shops to staying regulated during busy family events.
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Exploring the Community
Building your child's confidence to navigate real-world environments like the supermarket, library, cafe, and public transport with growing independence.
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Mealtime Support
Reinforcing feeding therapy strategies at the table, supporting your child to sit, try new foods, and build positive mealtime habits at home and in the community.
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School Readiness and Homework
Supporting your child with the routines and skills they need for school, from getting organised in the morning to staying focused during homework in the afternoon.
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Weekend and Holiday Programs
Keeping your child engaged, active, and socially connected during school holidays and weekends through structured outings and activities tailored to their goals.
At home
Daily routines and family life
Needs help with daily routines like getting dressed, brushing teeth, or packing their bag
Struggles with mealtimes and would benefit from consistent support at the table
Has therapy goals that need regular reinforcement outside of sessions
Parents and carers are feeling exhausted and need regular respite
Out and about
Community and everyday environments
Becomes overwhelmed in busy environments like shops, parks, or public spaces
Has difficulty managing transitions between activities or environments
Struggles to participate in after-school activities or community programs without support
Family outings, holidays, or weekends have become stressful or avoided altogether
Needs support to build independence with self-care and daily living skills
Finds it difficult to play with siblings or peers without conflict or withdrawal
Is missing out on social experiences because of behavioural or developmental challenges
Has limited opportunities to practise social skills in real-world settings
Is working towards NDIS goals that require regular, hands-on practice in everyday life
Sound familiar?
Support workers help bridge the gap between therapy and real life. If any of these resonate, get in touch and we can talk about what support could look like for your family.
Signs your child may benefit
Goals of Support work
01
Independence in daily life
Building your child's ability to manage everyday tasks like getting dressed, eating, and organising themselves with less support over time.
02
Community participation
Supporting your child to access community spaces and activities like the shops, library, and swimming lessons with growing confidence.
03
Social connection
Helping your child build friendships, join group activities, and feel a sense of belonging with their peers in real-world settings.
Your child at the centre
Every goal connects back to helping your child participate, connect, and grow in the places and moments that matter most.
04
Therapy goal reinforcement
Practising the strategies from your child's therapy team in the environments where they matter most, every single day.
05
Family wellbeing and respite
Giving parents and carers reliable, quality time to recharge while knowing their child is in safe, capable hands.
06
Skill generalisation
Ensuring skills learned in one setting transfer to others, so progress in therapy shows up at home, school, and in the community.
The support to belong
Support workers make sure the skills your child is learning are practised, reinforced, and carried into every part of their day.