Lifestart’s Inclusion Coach service is a cost-effective support for children, young people and young adults with disability to help them build practical life skills, achieve personal goals and participate more fully in their communities. Using a strengths-based, person-centred approach, our Independence Coaches work alongside participants and families to create meaningful opportunities for growth, independence and inclusion.

Supports are provided in real-life environments where skills can be developed and practised, including the home, school, workplace and community.

The Independence Coach service is designed to build long-term capability and support participants to achieve meaningful outcomes. 

Participants may experience:

Every participant’s journey is unique, and support is tailored to help them work towards the outcomes that matter most to them. 

The Independence Coach service is particularly suited to: 

• Children and young people with disability who want to develop independence and participation skills 
• Teenagers preparing for adulthood and greater independence 
• Young adults working towards education, employment or community participation goals 
• Individuals who would benefit from coaching and mentoring to achieve personal goals 
• Participants seeking practical support to build confidence, life skills and self-advocacy 
• Families looking for capacity-building supports rather than clinical therapy interventions 

This service is especially valuable for participants whose goals focus on inclusion, participation, independence and life transitions, rather than discipline-specific therapy outcomes. 

Primarily for ages 12–24 years

The service can also support younger children where goals relate to:

• Inclusion and participation
• Building independence
• Developing life skills
• Increasing community engagement

• At home
• At school or educational settings
• In community locations
• In workplaces, training or volunteering environments
• Via telehealth, where appropriate

Support is flexible and designed around the participant’s goals, routines and everyday environments.

Participants can pay via the following means:

NDIS Funding

This service is available for participants with Improved Daily Living funding. Services are billed under NDIS Therapy Supports – Other Professional. The current rate is $156.16 per hour.

Full Fee Paying

You can also pay for the service as fee-for-service, whether you’re self-funding support, don’t have an NDIS plan, or have a plan but are seeking additional support.