Volunteer - Therapy Assistant

Location

Ryde, NSW, Australia

Cerebral Palsy Alliance is a global centre of expertise for cerebral palsy and similar conditions. Join our community of volunteers to make a difference to the lives of people with cerebral palsy and similar conditions and grow your skills and experience as part of our alliance of great minds. Our shared values are Passionate, Respectful, Ethical, Curious and Courageous.

At Cerebral Palsy Alliance, we value diversity, foster an inclusive culture and champion equitable opportunities. We welcome interest from volunteers with a diverse range of backgrounds and lived experiences including people with disability, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and the LGBTQIA+ community .

V olunteer opportunities include supporting our allied health therapy teams working with children and adults, supporting our L ifestyles, sports and accommodation clients, or gaining experience in our corporate services.

Details of the role :

HABIT-ILE (Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Training Including Lower Extremity) is a two-week goal directed training program designed specifically for children and teens with cerebral palsy and similar conditions.

The program focuses on skills that children and teens need for everyday function, including eating, dressing and moving, with particular emphasis on using two hands otherwise known as bimanual therapy.

Developed in Belgium in 2011, HABIT-ILE leverages the latest science in neuroplasticity and is clinically proven to provide lasting and significant functional improvement.

HABIT-ILE provides 70 hours of one-on-one therapy in a fun group environment across 10 days (7 hours a day) plus up to 7 hours pre and post assessment. A total of 77 hours of individualised therapy.

HABIT-ILE uses a motor-learning-based approach to care, leisure and productivity goals through highly structured, daily, practice. During the intervention, activities and tasks are progressively graded toward more complex bimanual coordination for the arms and hands, and increasing demands of the legs and balance systems.

Benefits of Volunteering

P rovides you with a sense of purpose, personal and professional growth

Make a positive contribution to the Cerebral Palsy community

Support you to make a career change, explore new experiences and make new social connections

Develop confidence and build new skills

Gain hands on experience working with children and adults with cerebral palsy and similar conditions

Dates & Times:

Dates: 7th September 2026 - 18th September 2026

Times: 8:30am - 1:00pm

Training: Volunteers will need to complete an online training module which will be made available on 31st August 2026

Tasks & Responsibilities:

Contribute to an engaging, goal oriented and strength-based group dynamic

Support kids 1 : 1 to engage with g oal directed therapy

Help with set up and pack down for activities

Not to assist with duties associated with the direct care of clients unless training has been provided i.e. mealtime assistance , personal care, lifting and positioning, medication or providing transport

You will be supervised by both an Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist

Role requirements :

16 years and above

NDIS Worker Screening

Working with Children Check (NSW)

* Important information :

Please let us know if you have any pre-existing injuries or illnesses which you are currently seeking , or have sought , medical treatment for which you think may impact your ability to volunteer . CPA is committed to supporting an inclusive environment and engaging volunteers with diverse lived experience. We will happily consider and accommodate reasonable adjustments that may be required to support you in the recruitment process , and to be successful and safe at CPA.

Cerebral Palsy Alliance is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our clients and s tudents and volunteers . As such we encourage all volunteers be vaccinated against COVID-19 . C erebral Palsy Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Cerebral Palsy Alliance upholds, advocates for, and protects the rights , wellbeing and safety of people with a disability. We are a child safe organisation and all workers are responsible to adhere to the NDIS Worker Code of Conduct.

CPA is a smoke free workplace including in, on and around CPA sites and vehicles.

How to Apply

Please click 'Apply' to complete your application. If you have any questions about the role or require any reasonable adjustments to enable you to equitably participate in the recruitment process please contact Christopher O'Neill on volunteer@cerebralpalsy.org.au .