About Lifestart
YOUR FUTURE, EMPOWERED
Working at Lifestart means working for an organisation that has grown from humble beginnings to become one of Australia's leading disability service providers without compromising the values at its heart.
Lifestart was founded in 1996 by a group of eight families who believed kids with disability deserved better support. Today, we operate out of eight offices throughout NSW and support over 10,000 children and young people, their families and their carers across Australia. It's a success we're proud of because it is a success built on lived experience and a genuine desire to change lives for the better.
Lifestart Disability Services delivers the Early Childhood Approach on behalf of the NDIS across several regions within NSW. We work in partnership to empower children aged 0-9 years and their families, building their capacity so they have the tools to reach their full potential.
About the Role
As an Early Childhood Coordinator, you will serve as the Key Worker and play a crucial role supporting families who have concerns about their child's development through the NDIS Early Childhood Approach.
This role is open to individuals that either have a background in early childhood or special education, allied health, or social work and a passion for working with young children with developmental delays or disabilities. For those coming from an allied health background, this is a unique opportunity where you get to utilise your skills outside of a formal clinic environment.
This opportunity is offered on a full-time contract until December 2026, and works flexibly in a hybrid model, including within community settings, client homes, preschools & schools, working from home. We would prefer someone located in the Shoalhaven region to assist us with supporting this local community.
Key Responsibilities:
* Using your knowledge of child developmental milestones, conduct observations and assessments of children in their natural environments, to understand the impact of delay or disability, assess their functioning and propose support needs
* Work with the family to identify their goals and priorities for their child
* Oversee a caseload including preparing reports and related administration activities for your allocated families, while ensuring strict adherence to NDIA pre-defined time frames and associated requirements
* Implement short-term early intervention strategies to support the child's development
* Manage and coordinate referrals to appropriate mainstream and community services including child health, playgroups, parent support groups, education or recreation options, and ensuring smooth transitions and continuity of care for the child
* Working within a transdisciplinary team, sharing experiences and expertise, collaborating with others to ensure a holistic approach to early childhood intervention
Role Requirements:
* Degree qualification in Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Social Work, Psychology, Special or Inclusive Education, or Early Childhood Teaching OR a qualification and relevant experience in Early Childhood Education
* Relevant experience supporting children with additional needs, disability or developmental delays, using person-centred and family-centred approaches
* Experience or knowledge of early childhood development and milestones, including early intervention supports and concepts
* Proficiency writing detailed reports and IT skills to navigate CRMs
* Ability to act with discretion and maintain confidentiality
* Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills, working collaboratively with clients, community, and internal departments
* Knowledge of the NDIS and the Early Childhood Approach is desirable
* Aligning with Lifestart's values of Empowerment, Equity, Collaboration and Impact
* Hold a current Drivers Licence and registered vehicle, and able to travel across the Illawarra Shoalhaven region
* Full Covid-19 vaccination (including 1 booster) or eligible medical exemption
What Makes Lifestart Different?
At Lifestart, we believe all children and young people living with disability can participate inclusively and meaningfully in their community. To achieve this, we place the child at the centre of all planning and decision making, supporting them to achieve their goals and live a fulfilling, meaningful life.
Our team members have the support of experienced team leaders and other coordinators to assist you, as well as a tailored induction and development program. We want to see you succeed
Other benefits include:
* Very competitive base salary, plus superannuation and leave loading
* Ability to increase your take-home pay by $6,500 through NFP salary packaging
* Additional week of paid leave issued in December each year
* Additional week of personal leave, plus paid cultural and parental leave
* Access to vehicle novated leasing
* Flexible working conditions including hybrid opportunities
* A supportive and inclusive team environment with a strong focus on employee wellbeing, with additional support via Employee Assistance Program
* Access to supervision and peer support including targeted training to develop your skills and interests
* Tailored induction training program, internal learning and practice Hub, plus support to access other professional development opportunities
Join us in making a difference in the lives of children and families that need a little bit of extra support.
Ready to apply?
If you are ready to embrace a new challenge that will allow you to make a lasting impact, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your resume and cover letter outlining your experience and what drives you to join our team.
For further information please see our website or email
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, welcoming people with disability or lived experience, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people from the LGBTQI+ community and those people who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander to our team. When you join Lifestart, we will value each individual's unique contribution.
We are not accepting introductions from recruitment agencies