Programs
Support that meets lifewhere it's happening.
Seven proposed programs, one relational model. Each is being shaped through community consultation — referrals are welcomed based on what is happening in a person's life, not on picking the perfect program.
Those Who Know, Not the Adults That Don't
Placement Stability Focus
This program challenges the idea that adults and professionals automatically hold the most important knowledge about children's experiences. Children and young people who have experienced care, placement changes, family separation and complex systems hold knowledge that adults often do not. Those Who Know creates opportunities for that knowledge to be recognised, documented and shared safely.
Access: privately, through NDIS funding where eligible, or service-funded referrals. How our approach works
Focus areas
- Placement stability
- Relationships between children and carers
- Supporting kinship carers
- Supporting foster carers
- Understanding behaviour through story and context
- Identity & belonging
- Family relationships
- Placement transitions
- Emotional regulation
- Strengthening children's voices
- Reducing pressure on carers
- Practical support during difficult periods
How we work
- Narrative conversations
- Letter writing
- Outsider witnessing
- shared wisdom
- Peer knowledge
- Creative storytelling
- Mentoring & movement
- Yarning circles
- Carer conversations
- Practical advocacy
The people who have lived it hold knowledge that the adults designing responses may not.
Turning Story
Substance Use, Identity & Narrative Mentoring
Turning Story supports young people experiencing concerns around alcohol and other drug use — without ever defining a young person by substance use. We explore the relationship between the young person and the problem, and what someone who has walked this road knows that could help the next young person.
Access: privately, through NDIS funding where eligible, or service-funded referrals. How our approach works
What we explore
- What substance use is doing for the young person
- What circumstances strengthen its influence
- Identity outside substance use
- Harm reduction
- Relationships, culture & belonging
- Strengths and survival knowledge
- Hopes for the future
- Community connection
- Appropriate specialist referrals
Using narrative practice, mentoring, movement, letter writing and shared wisdom — walking beside young people, alongside (never instead of) specialist AOD services.
Education Outside the Box
Education Engagement Through Relationship
A flexible alternative engagement model for children and young people struggling within traditional education environments. Disengagement from education does not automatically mean disengagement from learning — engagement can begin with relationship, identity, curiosity and belonging.
Access: privately, through NDIS funding where eligible, or service-funded referrals. How our approach works
Potential program structure
- Weekly 1:1 mentoring
- Fortnightly group engagement
- Family involvement during identified program weeks
- Outdoor learning
- Movement & creative activities
- Narrative conversations
- Education advocacy
- Practical engagement support
- shared wisdom
- Peer knowledge sharing
Family Connection & Reunification
Contact, Reconnection & Family Relationships
Supporting children, parents, carers and families around family contact, reconnection and reunification — creating space for children's experiences and hopes to be heard safely, without positioning children between competing adult narratives.
Access: privately, through NDIS funding where eligible, or service-funded referrals. How our approach works
Potential supports
- Preparing children before contact
- Post-contact support
- Narrative conversations
- Family storytelling
- Documenting children's hopes and concerns
- Letters & outsider witnessing
- Parent support
- Carer support
- Transition planning
- Relationship strengthening
- Family reunification work
- Practical advocacy
Therapy & Mentoring
Flexible Ways of Engaging
Ngawilyi recognises that not everyone wants to sit opposite a professional in an office and talk. Sometimes important conversations happen side-by-side — so we offer flexible ways of engaging that fit the person, not the other way around.
Access: privately, through NDIS funding where eligible, or service-funded referrals. How our approach works
Movement & Fitness
Another Environment for the Work
Movement and fitness are part of the Ngawilyi engagement model — not simply an exercise program. Movement provides another environment for relationship, regulation, confidence, conversation, identity, achievement and community connection.
Access: privately, through NDIS funding where eligible, or service-funded referrals. How our approach works
"Sometimes it's easier to yarn when you're walking side-by-side."
Community Programs
Community Building Is Part of the Intervention
Community programs are not optional extras. The long-term goal is not for a child to become dependent upon a service — it is to strengthen community, relationships, culture, identity, knowledge and belonging around them.
Access: privately, through NDIS funding where eligible, or service-funded referrals. How our approach works
Art & Cuppa with Aunties
Relaxed creative community spaces for connection, storytelling and yarning.
Community Cook-Up
Food, conversation, practical skills and intergenerational connection.
Yarning Circles
Facilitated spaces to share experiences, witness each other's stories and build collective knowledge.
Community Movement
Walking, outdoor activities and group fitness as opportunities for connection.