Behaviour Support Practitioner
Serving Dandenong North & City of Greater Dandenong

NDIS Behaviour Support in Dandenong North

A lot of the families I meet who are early on in this, either just diagnosed or still waiting on one, tell me they feel a bit lost in the terminology. I start with an assessment, not a form. I want to know what’s actually happening day to day before I write anything down: what the mornings look like, what happens after school, what sets things off and what settles them again.

What Behaviour Support Looks Like in Dandenong North

From there, the work usually includes a Functional Behaviour Assessment, so we’re not guessing at what’s driving the behaviour, a written Behaviour Support Plan that’s actually usable, home strategies that fit a real week rather than an ideal one, and coaching for whoever’s around the person day to day. A plan only works if the people using it understand why, not just what.

For a family in Dandenong North, this might mean:

• A Functional Behaviour Assessment for a child in Dandenong North whose meltdowns are escalating before school or bedtime
• A Behaviour Support Plan for a teenager with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or sensory overload
• Parent and carer coaching so responses are calm, consistent, and realistic under pressure
• Support worker guidance so strategies are used the same way across home and community settings in City of Greater Dandenong
• An Interim Behaviour Support Plan where urgent safety strategies are needed before a full assessment is complete

Most people tell me the relief isn’t the paperwork, it’s having someone who actually gets what they’re dealing with. I keep working with families as kids get older too, through school years, the teenage stuff, right through to adulthood. The plan should grow with the person, not get rebuilt from scratch every time something changes.

Getting Started

If you’re not sure what happens after you reach out, here’s roughly how it goes. We start with a free 20-minute call, no referral needed, just a conversation about what’s going on and whether I’m the right fit. If we go ahead, I’ll need a signed service agreement, and then we book in the initial assessment, usually at home, sometimes at school with consent.

From there, a full Behaviour Support Plan typically takes four to six weeks. If things are urgent, particularly if restrictive practices are already in use, I can prioritise an Interim BSP within two weeks instead. Either way, you’re not left waiting without a plan of any kind while the full assessment is underway. I try to keep the wait as short as possible for Dandenong North families, same as anywhere else I work.

NDIS Funding & Early Childhood Support in Dandenong North

City of Greater Dandenong falls within the NDIS Southern Melbourne region. Behaviour Support is commonly funded under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living. Local Area Coordination for Dandenong North 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 Dandenong North can also access Greater Dandenong 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 Dandenong North

Brave Mental Health works with individuals across the lifespan in Dandenong North and the surrounding City of Greater Dandenong area. We support:

• Children under 7 accessing Early Childhood supports through Greater Dandenong City Council's free Maternal and Child Health service and the NDIS, including children without a formal diagnosis
• School-aged children with autism, ADHD, developmental delay, anxiety, or communication differences
• Young people with trauma histories, emotional regulation challenges, or behaviour that affects school participation
• Adults living with family, independently, or in supported accommodation in Dandenong North who need consistent support plans
• Parents, siblings, carers, and support workers who need coaching, not judgement
• Support coordinators seeking a responsive Behaviour Support Practitioner for a participant in Dandenong North

School and Community Collaboration in Dandenong North

Many families come to us because the behaviour is most visible at school. With consent, we talk directly to teachers and wellbeing staff so the same calm strategies and early warning signs are used at home and at school.

Telehealth and In-Home Support

All sessions are available by secure telehealth, which is often easier for Dandenong North 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 Dandenong North and across City of Greater Dandenong. 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