Our belief is that every person, regardless of their age, deserves the opportunity to lead a full life complete with rich relationships and engaging activities. Strong links to the local community, a belief in the individual, and a safe and welcoming environment – these are all features of our Blackburn South service.
At the same time, we recognise that each individual’s needs and abilities are unique. Our experienced staff are adept at providing personalised support that brings out the best in each participant, with emphasis on building independence and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Balwyn is surrounded by a large open spaces, a thriving garden and adjacent to parkland which is unique for promoting a healthy lifestyle for participants.
The team consider the needs and abilities of each individual participant in designing and implementing recreational and social activities which promote independence, positive relationships and fosters a worthwhile contribution in their community.
Building independence and inclusion is what drives everything we do at Next Step Bayswater. We believe that everyone should be responsible for their own life choices. We provide opportunities for young people to stretch their expectations of themselves as they develop practical and meaningful day-to-day skills.
It’s all about constantly improving participants’ independence and their ability to take part in everyday life, confident in the knowledge that they will be supported every step of the way.
Next Step Blackburn has developed an outstanding reputation for its support of young people through the transition from the school environment to the adult community. The program is the best of its kind, supporting participants while encouraging a high degree of autonomy as they take an active role in planning out their futures.
Participants learn practical skills they can use in their community every day, with over 60 per cent taking up volunteering or work opportunities with local businesses and organisations as a direct result of their participation.
Burke and Beyond has been successfully operating the Next Step program in the eastern region of Melbourne since 2010 with fantastic results for our participants. Where the Next Step is different from other disability providers is that it is a true transition service, where participants join us when they finish their high school and stay with the service for 3 or 4 years. During that period of time, the focus is on establishing the skills that are necessary for the young person to move towards an inclusive life in their community.
The program is designed to support the needs of young people with a disability as they transition from the school environment to adult life. The program is the first of its kind and whilst participants will be well supported, a high level of autonomy will be encouraged in the planning of their career path.
The School Leaver Employment Supports is a program funded by the NDIS which is targeted at young adults with a disability having finished year 12. This program is supporting young people to develop the necessary skills to increase their chances of open employment in the future.
In order to qualify, students must be assessed whilst still at school.
Burke and Beyond has developed a curriculum which addresses the training needs of their participants in the program.
Burke and Beyond is a registered NDIS provider in Melbourne
NDIS is an Australian National initiative
NDIS provides choice and control for people with a disability
NDIS is a new way of providing support to people with a disability
Volunteers work in many ways, and this case, a Graphic Designer volunteered to help us design a new volunteer brochure. We needed a brochure to promote volunteering with us, however our expertise is not in this area, so we reached out and advertised for......
Some of the participants from Next Step Dandenong have been fortunate to be provided opportunity to have an introduction factory work. After their enthusiasm and hard work on the KingSwim project, Megara were keen for the participants to experience factory work at their site......
Congratulations to Brent and Jess who were successful in obtaining part time positions at Coles. Brent and Jess both completed work placements and volunteering at Coles where they developed their skills so much they were both offered permanent roles. Congratulations and well done......
Announcing our move to Lonsdale St, Dandenong Our Next Step program in Dandenong, previously in Walker St, has moved around the corner to 260 Lonsdales St. This is a bigger venue, purposely fitted out to support our growing numbers and the programs we provide.......
