Become an ability carer

Please note that the below services may not currently be delivered in all states of Australia. For more information, please contact your local office.

Ability carers help prepare young people with a disability for independent living.  Key Assets disability service specialises in working with young care leavers with an intellectual or psychosocial disability (mental health challenges) often in combination with childhood trauma.

An important part of the service we provide young people is accommodation with ability carers. Ability carers can be a family, a couple or a single person.  Ability carers assist young people to navigate the pathways to independence and adulthood. They provide full-time accommodation or short-breaks to young people with a disability in a homely environment. There is a careful matching process between a young person and the ability carer.  The young person’s family can sometimes be involved in supporting them.

Young people 16 years and over can access the service and be supported in learning life skills like cooking, budgeting, building vocational and career opportunities, developing social networks, safe relationships, navigating public transport, promoting self-esteem and self-determination, and increasing community participation.

Ability care

Key Assets disability service works with young people with a disability to gain the skills they need to live independently. Young people, usually 16 years and over, can access the service to be supported in learning life skills such as cooking, budgeting, building vocational and career opportunities, developing social networks, navigating public transport, promoting self-esteem and self-determination, and increasing community participation.

Our ability carers

Ability Carers can be a family, a couple or a single person.  They provide full-time accommodation or short-breaks to young people with a disability in a homely environment. There is a careful matching process between a young person and an Ability Carer.  The individual’s family can sometimes be involved in supporting them.

Ability Carers are able to promote:

• Community participation
• A valued role in the community
• Skill development;
• Advocacy
• Safe relationships
• Independence
• Skills for adulthood
• Choice and control

Individual and family goals

We work with individuals assisting them to actively participate in identifying their goals and developing pathways to success.

Could you be an ability carer?

Ability carers are:

• Compassionate
• Resilient
• Flexible
• Patient

Becoming an ability carer is a challenging yet rewarding role. You will play a significant part in making a positive difference to a young person’s life, helping them achieve their potential. Ability carers receive a weekly allowance, 24/7 professional support, and training.

Ability Carers are highly valued as part of the Key Assets team and work alongside social workers, support workers and others to meet the needs of the child or young person.

If you would like to know more about becoming an ability carer, we would love to hear from you.  Please call 1800 932 273 to find out more.