Who are the staff?
Lifestart employs an experienced team of teachers and therapists (speech pathologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists), teaching assistants, administrative staff, and in some areas a social worker and/or a family coordinator. Most staff work within a particular branch, but some have responsibilities across all or many branches. Lifestart staff members undertake professional development programs and network with professionals within and outside of Lifestart to share knowledge and skills.
By assisting staff and families, volunteers are a valued part of Lifestart. All volunteers take part in a training program. They fulfil a variety of roles, according to their skills and interests.

Is there a waiting list?
Waiting lists do exist for each branch. The number of families waiting for services varies over time and by branch. Families who are on the waiting list are welcome to attend Open Playgroups, where they can have informal contacts with staff and meet other families. They may have options to take part in courses, attend information evenings and receive newsletters. Families on the waiting list are given information about other services that they could access.

Areas Served by Lifestart:
Lifestart has seven branches in the greater Sydney area: Cumberland/ Prospect, Eastern Sydney/Maroubra, Inner West, Nepean, Northern Beaches, Hornsby and Eastwood.

How do I know which Lifestart branch to contact?
If you are uncertain, please contact our Head Office on (02) 9807-9700. You will be given the information for your local branch. Please see Lifestart Centres and contact details.

What services does Lifestart provide?
Lifestart offers services to families who have a child with a disability or a delay in development, or a child who is at risk of delay. These services include early childhood intervention services for 0-6 year olds and their families, and services for school aged children, aged 6-18 years.

Early Childhood Intervention services include:

* Open Playgroups – open to any family who have a concern about their child’s development,
* Small group sessions,
* A baby program, involving group and individual sessions,
* Home visits, or individual sessions at the centre, with a teacher or therapist, to plan and implement an individual program,
* Development of Individual Family Service Plans,
* Preschool or childcare support,
* Courses for families, including courses developed by the Hanen Centre.

School Age Services was established by families of Lifestart Cooperative to provide a continuing support service for families whose children graduate from the Lifestart Early Childhood Intervention Program. The Lifestart School Age Services program empowers families and assists school systems and community organisations to better meet the needs of families. It currently operates in the Northern, Inner West and Eastern Sydney areas.

Family-to-Family Support is a vital aspect of Lifestart. We offer a range of opportunities for social contact and family-to-family support. This is an important aspect of Playgroups. Other activities are planned by local Parent and Friends Committees and may include children’s clubs (including siblings clubs), friendship groups, fun days, school holiday programs, etc.

What kind of organisation is Lifestart?
Lifestart is a Co-operative that was founded and is now led by member families and professionals for the benefit of members. It is a not-for-profit, non-government organization. It is accountable to its members and funding bodies. Families participating in Lifestart services are members of the Co-operative, and are entitled to vote in elections. There is no joining fee.

Lifestart provides a family-centred service that responds flexibly to family priorities and to changing family needs. Lifestart values and fosters family-to-family support.

Families are very important in providing the high-quality service expected from Lifestart. Families are encouraged to be actively involved and to offer assistance in all aspects of the program.

Who manages Lifestart?
Lifestart is overseen by a Board of Directors, and each of our branches has its own Parents and Friends Committee (P&F Committee). The Board and P&F Committee consist of parents/carers and professionals, with parents/carers in the majority. All families are very welcome and encouraged to be involved in their local P&F Committee and the Board of Directors.

How is Lifestart funded?
Lifestart must actively raise all of its funding. Currently, the organization receives a recurrent grant from the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC), and varying annual financial support from the NSW Department of Education and Training (DET). Members are asked to pay term service fees, however no family is refused service based upon an inability to pay. In all Lifestart areas families work to raise the additional funds needed to provide a complete service to its member families. Lifestart often attracts additional financial support from local governments and community donations.

Why do parents pay fees?
There is always a gap between what we receive from government grants, and what we need to fund the programs that families are requesting. We can meet this gap through fundraising and through contributions from families. P&F Committees in each area set the level of these contributions.