Finding and Keeping a Job

Finding a job can be a big step. Keeping a job can sometimes be even harder.

At Go Beyond Therapy, we support young people and adults with disability, autism, ADHD, intellectual disability, developmental delay, anxiety and other support needs to build the practical skills they need for work.

Our support is not just about getting a job. It is about understanding what type of work may suit you, building the skills needed to manage work expectations, and putting the right supports in place so employment feels more achievable and sustainable.

We can support NDIS participants to work towards employment goals through capacity-building, skill development, workplace preparation and practical strategies for day-to-day success.

How Can We Help

Go Beyond Therapy can support participants at different stages of their employment journey.

This may include:

• Understanding your strengths, interests and support needs
• Exploring what types of work may be a good fit
• Building routines to prepare for work or study
• Developing communication and social skills for the workplace
• Practising problem-solving and flexible thinking
• Building confidence with asking for help
• Understanding workplace expectations
• Supporting emotional regulation at work
• Developing strategies for focus, attention and task completion
• Supporting travel training and community access where appropriate
• Helping with workplace transitions, changes or challenges
• Working with families, support coordinators, employers or employment providers when needed

Support to get ready for work

Some people are not ready to jump straight into employment, and that is okay.

We can help participants build the foundations first. This may include developing daily routines, increasing independence, practising time management, building self-care skills, managing anxiety, understanding instructions, and increasing confidence in community settings.

For younger participants, this may also include support around school-to-work transitions, part-time work, volunteering, work experience, traineeships or preparing for further study.

Support to keep a job

Getting the job is only one part of the picture.

Many people need support once they are actually in the workplace. This may include learning new tasks, managing fatigue, understanding feedback, dealing with unexpected changes, communicating with co-workers, or knowing what to do when something goes wrong.

We can support participants to develop practical strategies that help them feel more settled, confident and capable at work.

This may include:

• Visual supports
• Workplace routines
• Task breakdowns
• Checklists
• Scripts for communication
• Sensory strategies
• Regulation plans
• Energy management strategies
• Executive functioning support
• Problem-solving tools
• Reasonable adjustment recommendations

Occupational therapy and employment

Occupational therapy looks at how a person participates in everyday life. Work is a major part of everyday life for many people.

As occupational therapists, we look at the whole person, not just the job task. This means we consider the participant’s physical, cognitive, sensory, emotional, social and environmental needs.

We can help identify what is getting in the way of work and what supports may help the person participate more successfully.

This may include looking at:

• Attention and concentration
• Sensory needs
• Emotional regulation
• Fine and gross motor skills
• Fatigue and energy levels
• Communication
• Social understanding
• Executive functioning
• Planning and organisation
• Confidence and motivation
• Environmental demands
• Workplace expectations

Who this service may suit

This service may be suitable for:

• Teenagers preparing for work, volunteering or study
• School leavers exploring employment options
• Young adults wanting to build independence
• NDIS participants who want to find suitable work
• People who have started a job but are struggling to maintain it
• Participants who need support with routines, communication, confidence or workplace expectations
• Families wanting guidance around employment pathways
• Support coordinators looking for practical capacity-building support for a participant