For Professionals - Belongside Families

A young child with pigtails and a backpack holds an adult’s hand while walking toward a school building, with a playground visible to the right and green grass surrounding them.

Walking alongside families, together.

Every day, you meet parents who are doing their best to support a child with a developmental delay, disability, autism, rare or genetic condition. Many families have questions that go beyond your role—or simply don’t know where to turn for help.

By connecting families with Belongside, you can connect them to free, parent-led programs and resources that help them feel less alone, more confident, and better equipped to support their child. We offer programs, resources and collaboration opportunities that complement your work and strengthen outcomes for the children and families you support.

A woman smiles warmly while holding a child who rests their head on her shoulder. They are outdoors with autumn-colored leaves in the background.

Who we are

Belongside Families is a family-led, not-for-profit organisation that walks alongside parents and carers of children with disability, autism, developmental delay and medical needs.

Each year, we support over 7,000 families through our free virtual peer groups, educational workshops and programs, resources and one-on-one support — all grounded in lived experience and informed by evidence and best practice.

Our team brings:

Lived experience as parents and carers of children with various disabilities and medical needs.
Sector knowledge across health, education, disability, and early childhood.
A practical understanding of what helps families feel seen, heard, and supported.
Understanding of regional communities and the unique challenges families face outside metro areas.

We help families to

Understand and access the NDIS

Adjust to a new diagnosis

Navigate early childhood education and school

Navigate medical and health systems

Grow their confidence and skills to advocate

Understand financial supports

Find support for their whole family

Get out and about in community

Ways to connect with Belongside Families

Looking to collaborate with us on projects, training, or engagement?

Partner with us

Would you like to connect families directly with support?

Refer a family

What professionals are saying

A woman and a young girl sit on the floor playing with colorful plastic building blocks. The girl is stacking blocks while the woman points and helps, both focused on the activity. Play equipment is visible in the background.

I always knew the significance of family-centred practice, but hearing from parents about what it actually means was invaluable. I now prioritise what’s most important to each family and share Belongside Families as a trusted support network.

Allied Health Professional