Behaviour Support Practitioner
Serving Hawthorn & City of Boroondara

NDIS Behaviour Support in Hawthorn

Brave Mental Health provides specialist Behaviour Support to families and individuals in Hawthorn (3122) within the City of Boroondara area of Melbourne’s inner east. This is a well-connected part of Melbourne with strong school networks, access to specialist services, and a growing number of NDIS participants who deserve quality behaviour support close to home.

Hawthorn sits within a part of Melbourne known for its strong school culture, proximity to specialist hospitals, and a community that takes mental health and disability support seriously. Families here are often well-informed but still overwhelmed by the complexity of the NDIS — and that’s exactly where we step in.

Hawthorn families often tell us they want someone who can explain the NDIS plainly, respond quickly, and respect the person behind the behaviour. That is the centre of our work: practical support that protects dignity while reducing risk and distress.

What Behaviour Support Looks Like in Hawthorn

A Behaviour Support Practitioner helps families and support teams understand why behaviour is happening, what the person may be communicating, and what needs to change around them. The goal is not blame or quick fixes. The goal is a safer, calmer, more predictable life.

For a family in Hawthorn, this might mean:

• Assessment for behaviour linked to communication needs, sensory distress, trauma, anxiety, or unmet health needs
• Practical home strategies for families who feel they are constantly walking on eggshells
• Positive Behaviour Support approaches that focus on quality of life, skill-building, and safety
• Collaborative planning with support coordinators, therapists, educators, and informal supports
• Plain-language recommendations that are easier for busy families and teams to follow

NDIS Funding in Hawthorn

City of Boroondara falls within the Melbourne East NDIS planning region. Behaviour Support is commonly funded under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living. Your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) can assist with first-time NDIS access. 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; accessed via your Early Childhood partner

Not sure what’s in your NDIS plan? Book a free consultation — we’ll explain your options in plain language.

Who We Work With in Hawthorn

Families and support teams contact us from Hawthorn for many different reasons. Common referral situations include:

• A young child whose behaviour has changed after starting childcare, kinder, or primary school
• 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 or support team 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 does not ignore culture, identity, or faith

School and Community Collaboration in Hawthorn

Where school or community access is affected, we focus on practical collaboration. That may include teacher consultation, support worker coaching, visual supports, transition planning, or clear escalation pathways that reduce confusion for the participant.

Telehealth and In-Home Support

Telehealth is a strong option for many behaviour support sessions, especially parent coaching, support worker consultation, plan reviews, and NDIS guidance. Where observation is needed, we discuss the most appropriate setting: home, school, community, or video-based observation.

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 across the Inner East region. 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