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NDIS Social Groups bring people with a disability together for fun activities, social connection, and personal growth. These groups play a key role in helping individuals build friendships and boost confidence by engaging with their communities.  Do you want to know how joining such a group could benefit you or someone you care about? Then, […]

Managing daily tasks can sometimes be challenging for individuals with a disability. NDIS Home Support is designed to help these individuals to manage their daily lives more easily. It supports the participants with basic needs like personal care and household tasks to be more independent and make life at home more comfortable.  Are you wondering […]

On 1 October 2024, the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) introduced new Support lists, outlining what the NDIS can cover for participants. These lists will serve as a temporary guideline until final agreements are reached between the Australian, state, and territory governments. While these new support lists provide clarity on the types […]

At The Y Inclusion Services, one of our most important goals is to empower people with a disability to access a variety of inclusive and innovative programs. Empowerment involves providing people with the necessary skills, knowledge, resources, and support to take charge of their lives, make decisions, and take actions that improve their wellbeing and [...]

School holidays are fast approaching, bringing with them a wonderful time for children to explore, play, and enjoy new experiences.  For parents of children with additional needs, finding inclusive and affordable activities can sometimes feel like a challenge. The good news is, there are more opportunities than ever to ensure every child can join in […]

From 1-7 September 2024, National Child Protection Week shines a spotlight on the theme ‘Every Conversation Matters’, reinforcing the ongoing message that ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go.’This theme underscores the power of conversations in safeguarding the well-being of children, young and vulnerable people. Conversations are not just exchanges of words; they […]

You likely know that reading with young children is very helpful for their language and literacy development; this is also true for children with autism. When adults read to their child with autism in an interactive way (sometimes known as “shared reading”), it helps the child to: ✔️Understand and answer questions ✔️Initiate communication and express […]

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is all about helping Australians with special needs to live their best lives by offering tailored support to meet each person’s unique needs and goals. Navigating the NDIS can be challenging, and that’s where support coordinators come in. In this blog post, we’ll break down exactly what an NDIS […]

The 2024 Paris Olympics and the coming Paralympic Games are highlighting the incredible achievements of athletes from around the world, inspiring us to embrace an active lifestyle. The Y also has a proud history of supporting and promoting physical activity around the world. Staying active is important for our physical and mental wellbeing, and Y […]

Choosing the right provider of support can be a critical decision for individuals who need assistance with their daily living, health, or other areas of life. Whether you’re navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or seeking other forms of support, making an informed choice is essential. Here are some factors to consider when choosing [...]

The Early Years Learning Framework outlines that “Children’s learning is ongoing and each child will progress towards the outcomes in different and equally meaningful ways. Learning is not always predictable and linear.” All children reach their developmental milestones at different stages and in different ways, however having that in mind some children will still show […]

Y Inclusion Services places accessibility at the heart of our service goals, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fully participate in community life. Our NDIS 1:1 Community Support services actively assist people with a disability in accessing community programs and enjoying a lifestyle that suits them. With the aid of a disability support worker, [...]

Caring for individuals with disabilities is a fulfilling and often challenging responsibility. The tireless dedication of family members and carers ensures that their loved ones receive the support they need to thrive. It can be demanding, both physically and emotionally and carers often find themselves in need of a break to recharge and attend to […]

Anzac Day holds a special place in the hearts of Australians and New Zealanders, serving as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by brave service personnel. Amidst the ceremonies and tributes, one symbol stands out prominently—the red poppy. Millions wear a poppy on Anzac Day, but the ritual dates back to a poignant moment […]

At Y Inclusion Services, our philosophy lies at the core of our mission. We are a passionate organisation delivering truly person-centred support, services and programs. These are designed to foster personal growth and empower for people with a disability to achieve their goals and empower them to lead dignified lives. Y Inclusion Services offers a [...]

As we commence Harmony Week (March 18-24th) with the theme Everyone belongs, it's a time for reflection and celebration of diversity and inclusion. At the Y Inclusion Services, we wholeheartedly believe that everyone deserves a place where they belong, regardless of their background, abilities, or circumstances. Harmony Week aligns closely with our global mission: The [...]

Y Retreats are fun, exciting, and unique weekends away for people of all abilities. Each retreat enables participants to enjoy the best experiences that Victoria has to offer, and provides great accommodation choices for 1- and 2-night stays. At Y Retreats, we prioritise fostering social participation and independence, empowering campers to make choices and take […]

We are absolutely delighted to share with you our inspiring experiences from the recent VALID Conference. This event stands as a testament to resilience, creativity, and the determination of all individuals with a disability to be part of such a unique and empowering community. Hosted in Geelong, the ‘Having a Say’ conference is the largest […]

A circle of support involves a group of people coming together to help formulate, promote and support the goals of a person with disability. The circle acts as a community of friendship and support around the person at the centre. Inclusion Services at the Y can be an extremely important part of your circle of support. […]

Funday Sundays in 2024! Twice a month on Sundays we will be enjoying a day out in the community with the assistance of a 1:1 Support worker. Here are just some of the activities to choose from: You can register for as many Funday Sundays as you like. All the coming Funday Sunday events can […]

Did you know that the YMCA was the birthplace of the invention of Basketball? Yep! On this day, 112 years ago, a YMCA fitness instructor, James Naismith, invented the game. A Canadian farm boy, James Naismith developed the game at the YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts! Inspired by the need for an indoor activity during winter, […]

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an Australian government-funded program that provides support to individuals with disabilities. The NDIS encompasses a wide range of disability-related supports which organisations like The Y, play a crucial role in providing. Inclusion Services by the Y offers NDIS support coordination, guiding participants through the complexities of the scheme […]

Early intervention refers to a range of services and support provided to young children who have a developmental delay or disability. These services are designed to address the child’s specific needs and help them achieve their full potential. Early intervention can include therapies, educational programs, medical treatments, and other support services. To receive early intervention, […]

Transitioning to supported accommodation is a great way to kick start your independence journey. If you’re someone living with an intellectual disability who would like to move out of home, you may be wondering what steps you need to take to make that happen. There are a range of supported living and disability accommodation options […]

Fellas Group is aimed at men 45+ who would like to go out in a social group with the support of staff in a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio. The program will run on Tuesday’s fortnightly in 2022. Activities such as Ten Pin Bowling, Movies, Chess Club, Queen Victoria Market, Eureka Skydeck and more! You can […]

International Day of People with a Disability (IDPwD) is held on 3 December each year. IDPwD is an opportunity for us to make positive changes to the lives of the 4.4 million Australians with disability. The theme for IDPwD 2021 is ‘Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world’. I am […]

Inclusion Services by the Y is proud to introduce our new Family Connections service. Our Connections Coordinator will be a point of contact working closely with our Children’s Services  to support families where there are concerns around a child’s development or the child has received a diagnosis. Support will be provided to families to navigate early intervention services […]

Parental As Anything is an ABC podcast about all things parenting, touching on mental health, disability, sex and consent, tantrums and loads more! The podcast is presented by Maggie Dent, one of Australia’s most reputable authors and educators. Dent is an advocate for kids and parents alike and is known for her practical approach to […]

Parental As Anything is an ABC podcast about all things parenting, touching on mental health, disability, sex and consent, tantrums and loads more! The podcast is presented by Maggie Dent, one of Australia’s most reputable authors and educators. Dent is an advocate for kids and parents alike and is known for her practical approach to […]

Like many other organisations, Y Whittlesea has adapted to the challenges set by COVID-19. We have altered our services and programs to ensure that we can continue supporting people with disabilities and their families. We are always looking for new information and resources that might improve lives of those impacted by disability. And as Australia […]

A vaccination centre specifically for people living with a disability, and staff who care for them in their homes.  Bookings are essential. Individual appointments can be made by clicking on the following link: https://healthengine.com.au/book-covid-19-vaccination/85312  Where Aspen Medical 258 Settlement Road, Thomastown When Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4pm Enquiries  vicnorthvax@aspenmedical.com

Edward is a new participant to our Inclusion camps. In August, he joined us for our Mount Evelyn camp and displayed courtesy and respect for everyone around him – earning him a reputation as a true gentleman! Some of the younger participants even gravitated towards his kind personality. As the day came to an end, […]

Rob is one of our newer Camp Participants. Originally being on our Wrap program, he has ventured on to our respite camps and has so far completed two of them. He says that he can’t wait to be a part of many more camps as he loves participating in all of the activities. Rob gives […]

Our final pillar of our Safeguarding Framework is Environment. We commit to creating safe environments and spaces for Children and Young People at the Y. Our Commitment to creating a Safeguarding Environment comprise of: To view our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy click here.

As part of our Safeguarding Framework we commit to creating safe operations to ensure Y People have the right policies, processes and practices to keep Children and Young People safe. Our Commitment to creating a Safeguarding Operations comprise of: To view our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy click here.

The first pillar of our Safeguarding Framework is Culture. We are committed to creating a safe culture that empowers Children and Young People and promotes intergenerational leadership and governance to embed Safeguarding at the Y. Our commitment to achieving a Safeguarding Culture comprises of: To view our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy click here.

To achieve our Safeguarding Vision, we have developed our Safeguarding Framework. At the heart of our Safeguarding Framework is our Safeguarding Vision, to ‘feel safe, be safe’. Our Safeguarding Vision stands on three Pillars: These Pillars are comprised of 15 elements that enable our Y People to understand how Safeguarding directly relates to their individual […]

At the Y Whittlesea, the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable adults is our highest priority. The right to be able to enjoy a safe environment free from threats, abuse, neglect or exploitation is our service commitment. We work hard to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people is embedded […]

Crystal is a young lady who has been accessing various services with the Y for many years, including 1:1 support, social groups and Support Coordination. Up until recently Crystal has been living in a unit at the rear of her family home. Along with her support coordinator, steps were put in place to begin the […]

Chelsea’s mum Gabby called us at the start of August quite distressed as they were having issues with Chelsea at home. She explained that Chelsea was becoming aggressive and violent more often towards all the family members in the home including her younger 8-year-old brother. Since Chelsea is unable to go to school, her routine […]

The Y Whittlesea team is growing! Want to work for a values based organisation in the local community? We currently have lots of job opportunities including: ▪️ Early Childhood and Family Inclusion Support Coordinator ▪️ Disability Camp Support Worker ▪️ Home and Community Support Worker ▪️ Disability Services Program Coordinator ▪️ Early Childhood Educator (Assistant […]

Below are resources for our community to use in order to get emergency food relief. Please visit the relevant sites linked below for any further information on that service. Whittlesea Food Share is open on Tuesday 12-3pm and Wednesday 11am – 2pm – Contact details – Whittlesea Council Call Encompass Care Vic on 0422 461 847 for food […]

Vaccination centre for people living with a disability  A vaccination centre specifically for people living with a disability, and staff who care for them in their homes, is now open. Eligibility:   People living within supported accommodation and the support staff for those facilities  If there are 2 or more people living with a disability at a single […]