Behaviour Support Practitioner
Serving Harkaway & City of Casey

NDIS Behaviour Support in Harkaway

Teenagers are harder, I won’t pretend otherwise. Bigger stakes, and a lot of the young people I meet are just tired of being managed. I don’t lead with rules. I try to work out what the behaviour is actually protecting them from first, and I keep the young person’s own voice in the plan, not just their parents’.

What Behaviour Support Looks Like in Harkaway

That usually means trauma-informed Positive Behaviour Support, coaching for parents who are exhausted and a bit scared, and close coordination with a school that might be close to running out of options. It’s slower going than a straightforward assessment, and that’s fine. Trust takes longer to build with teenagers, and rushing it tends to backfire.

For a family in Harkaway, this might mean:

• Understanding behaviour patterns across home, school, day programs, respite, or supported accommodation in City of Casey
• Supporting families where behaviour is affecting sleep, sibling relationships, community access, or personal care
• Developing proactive strategies before behaviour escalates, rather than only reacting during a crisis
• Coaching carers and support workers to notice early warning signs and respond consistently
• Preparing behaviour support documentation aligned with the participant’s NDIS goals

The same approach carries through for younger children and adults too. The method doesn’t change much, just the conversation does.

Getting Started

Here’s what the process actually looks like, since it’s rarely explained clearly upfront. You start with a free 20-minute call, no referral required, just a chance to talk through what’s going on. From there, if we’re a good fit, we sign a service agreement and get the initial assessment booked, at home, at school with consent, or over telehealth.

Expect four to six weeks for a full Behaviour Support Plan once that’s underway. If the situation’s urgent, particularly if restrictive practices are already being used, I’ll aim for an Interim BSP within two weeks instead. I try to keep the wait as short as possible for Harkaway families, same as anywhere else I work.

NDIS Funding & Early Childhood Support in Harkaway

City of Casey falls within the NDIS Southern Melbourne region. Behaviour Support is commonly funded under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living. Local Area Coordination for Harkaway is provided by Latrobe Community Health Service or LINK Health and Community. We support plan-managed and self-managed participants:

• Plan Managed — your plan manager handles all invoicing; no out-of-pocket payments
• Self Managed — we invoice you directly; you claim reimbursement from the NDIS myplace portal
• Early Childhood (under 7) — no formal diagnosis required; families in Harkaway can also access Casey City Council's free Maternal and Child Health service for developmental checks alongside NDIS Early Childhood supports

Not sure what’s in your NDIS plan, or who Latrobe Community Health Service or LINK Health and Community is for your area? Book a free consultation — we’ll explain your options in plain language.

Who We Work With in Harkaway

Brave Mental Health works with individuals across the lifespan in Harkaway and the surrounding City of Casey area. We support:

• A young child whose behaviour has changed after starting childcare, kinder, or primary school in Harkaway
• A participant with autism or ADHD who becomes distressed by transitions, noise, demands, or changes to routine
• A family where everyone is exhausted by sleep difficulties, aggression, meltdowns, or constant negotiation
• A school in City of Casey needing clear, consistent strategies after repeated incidents
• A participant with psychosocial disability or dual diagnosis who needs support that is calm, respectful, and practical
• A family from a multilingual or multicultural background wanting support that doesn’t ignore culture, identity, or faith

School and Community Collaboration in Harkaway

Where school or community access is affected, we focus on practical collaboration — teacher consultation, support worker coaching, visual supports, transition planning, or clear escalation pathways.

Telehealth and In-Home Support

All sessions are available by secure telehealth, which is often easier for Harkaway families managing work, school pick-up, and support schedules. In-home and community-based sessions may also be available where clinically appropriate.

About Your Practitioner

Your Behaviour Support Practitioner is Himani Arora, founder of Brave Mental Health. Himani has 5+ years of experience supporting NDIS participants across Melbourne, including families in Harkaway and across City of Casey. She is trauma-informed, culturally affirming, and brings genuine expertise and warmth to every family she supports.

“I believe every person — regardless of their diagnosis, background, or the challenges they face — deserves support that truly sees them. Not just their behaviour, but their whole self.”

— Himani Arora, Behaviour Support Practitioner