What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 2pm

Empower YOUth

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

Empowering young people with trauma-informed, inclusive support. NDIS approved services including professional counselling, play therapy, and core life skills.

Partnering with families and schools to build independence. Contact us to make a referral! 🌟 Mel leads Empower YOUth OoHC Services with a mission to support children, young people, and caregivers, aiming to reduce family breakdowns and foster stability. With over 15 years of experience in coaching and mentoring in community sports, and more than 20 years in various caregiving roles, including out-of-home care, Mel brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her work. Committed to continuous growth, she is currently pursuing a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health and Neuroscience, adding to her qualifications, which include a Diploma in Counselling, Certificate IV in Mental Health, and Youth Work. Mel's dynamic leadership combines proficiency in sports management with extensive compassionate care experience, shaping Empower YOUth OoHC Services into a place where expertise meets empathy. Her dedication ensures the well-being and development of every individual served by the organization.

27/10/2026

Coming soon! We'll be serving up early breakfast sandwiches and hot coffee before work, from 6:30 to 8:30 at 1 Feathertop Ave—make sure to follow us for the launch date! 😊

Sandwiches will be $7-9 and hot drinks are just $5. It’s a total win-win: you get an easy breakfast, and we get to keep the lights on so we can keep supporting our community! 🥪☕

25/10/2026

Give yourself a R.E.S.T while your child thrives! Our all-inclusive R.E.S.T. Weekend Respite offers premium, trauma-informed 1:1 support from Friday pick-up to Monday drop-off. All funding types are welcome. Spots are filling fast—get in touch to book a tour! 🌟

23/10/2026

Does the morning rush leave your household feeling overwhelmed before you've even walked out the front door?

For many neurodivergent minds, the transition from sleep to the demands of the day is the most cognitively exhausting part of the week. When we rush, we often increase anxiety and inadvertently trigger demand avoidance. Instead of pushing for speed, try introducing a 'low-demand' morning sequence. Offering small choices—like which sensory-friendly shirt to wear—rather than giving direct instructions can significantly reduce stress and help build a calmer start. It's about creating predictability and respectful pacing that works for your family's unique needs.

Sensory-friendly tips for a calm morning routine!.... Follow us for more information, support and learning.

23/10/2026

Ever wonder why a tiny change in plans can sometimes trigger a massive meltdown?

It’s not about being difficult; it’s just the nervous system working overtime to ask, "Am I safe?" When the body senses stress, it automatically shifts into fight-or-flight mode, driving behaviours that look like defiance but are actually signs of overwhelm. By taking a breath and staying calm ourselves, we can act as a safe anchor to help them settle back into balance.

What is your go-to way to stay grounded when things get chaotic? Empowering Families.

22/10/2026

Getting a teenager out the door when they flat-out refuse to go to school can feel incredibly isolating.

Instead of asking what is wrong, try shifting the conversation to ask what is happening for them right now. Validating their overwhelm without removing the expectation of school helps lower the morning temperature and builds a bridge to figure out the real roadblock together.

What is one small shift that has helped your family's morning routine? Transforming lives together.

22/10/2026

Wondering if a weekend of respite will completely drain your child’s NDIS budget?

We know that navigating NDIS funding can feel overwhelming, especially when you're worried about rigid costs. At Empower YOUth, we don't believe in massive bulk fees that drain your resources; instead, we build a personalized, itemized quote based exactly on the hours of community mentoring and overnight care your child actually needs. Because we are a fully Registered NDIS Provider, we can seamlessly support families who are Agency-Managed, Plan-Managed, or Self-Managed. Our trauma-informed team takes the time to understand your child's specific triggers, routines, and goals to ensure they feel safe and heard. Simply check your plan for codes 0125, 0115, 0117, or 0110 to see if you are covered for these supports.

Call our Intake Team directly on 0422 186 412 or email [email protected] to chat about your child's needs today. | Building brighter futures.

21/10/2026

When a meltdown hits in the middle of the shopping centre, it’s easy to feel like you’re failing—but what if that moment isn't a behavioural failure at all?

Neuroscience shows us that a tantrum is actually an emotional overload happening in the brain's amygdala, often because a child's pre-frontal cortex is still developing and can't process the sensory or emotional input. Instead of seeing it as "bad behaviour," we can view it as a primitive, urgent attempt to communicate when words aren't accessible. The most effective therapeutic path forward starts with regulation: lowering your voice, reducing sensory input, and offering a safe, grounded presence. Once their nervous system settles, you can relate and validate their feelings, building a foundation of trust that eventually leads to healthier coping skills.

How do you help your loved one find calm during a big emotional moment? Share your experiences with our community below. | Empowering potential.

20/10/2026

Ready to have your parenting resources, data tracking, and support all in one place?

We know how exhausting it is to juggle multiple systems, appointments, and strategies while trying to advocate for your family. That is exactly why we created the Behaviour Hub. It is a centralized, secure space designed specifically for families, carers, and practitioners to collaborate seamlessly. From tracking daily rhythms to accessing trauma-informed resources, we are here to help lighten the mental load so you can focus on what truly matters: your family's wellbeing.

Click the link behaviour-hub com to explore the Behaviour Hub and register for your family account today. Thrive, not survive.

20/10/2026

Parenting a neurodivergent child isn't about 'fixing' behaviors; it's about understanding the nervous system.

For so long, families have been handed behavior charts and reward systems that just don't fit their reality. We know that behind every challenging moment is a nervous system asking for support and co-regulation. As parent carers and practitioners, our role is to create environments where our kids feel safe enough to be their authentic selves. It is about shifting our perspective from demanding compliance to offering connection. You are already doing an incredible job navigating this journey.

Share this with a fellow parent who might need a reminder today that they are exactly what their child needs. Supporting Neurodivergent Lives.

Address

1 Feathertop Avenue
Templestowe Lower, VIC
3107

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 2pm

Telephone

+61402469081

Website

http://www.empoweryouthoohc.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Empower YOUth posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.