For parents and families
You are not short on goals. You are trying to work out where to start.
And how much to help along the way — which is the question almost nobody gives families a straight answer to.
Take the Independence Scorecard
The honest bit
Adulthood arrives before the answers do
You have probably spent years advocating, organising and holding a lot of it together. Then the transition into adult life changes the questions: what happens after school, whether current supports are building anything, how work or study could realistically happen, what skills matter first.
Underneath most of those sits one uncomfortable question: am I helping too much, or not enough?
There is no general answer to that, and anyone who offers one is guessing. But there is a useful answer per task: help enough that the task succeeds, and no more than that — then look at whether the amount needed changes over a few weeks.
That is not a mindset shift you have to make on your own. It is what the practice structure is for.
Doing things for someone is not a mistake
It is often the reasonable choice: you are out of time, the bus was cancelled, tomorrow is a big day. The issue is only when it becomes the default and the practice quietly disappears.
Less support is not the goal
Some support will always be needed, and that is completely fine. The goal is more choice and self-direction, with the right level of help at the right time — not a race to independence.
From goal to practice
Turning 'more independent' into something you can actually practise
Too broad to practise
"We want him to be more independent." Nobody can act on this on a Tuesday afternoon.
Getting closer
"We want him travelling on his own." Better - but still a whole journey, in every condition.
Practisable
"Complete the familiar route to TAFE, including the interchange, with no more than one prompt." Specific, observable, repeatable.
Their voice
Why we ask them, not just you
Your knowledge is essential context — you have seen what works, what has been tried, and what a hard week looks like. And the target still has to be theirs.
A capability someone else chose gets practised for about three weeks. One they chose survives a bad month. That is not a philosophy; it is just what holds up in practice.
So the Scorecard asks what they would like more choice, confidence or control over, and the suggested priorities are shaped by that answer — not only by the lowest scores.
What progress can look like
Often not what you expect, and rarely a straight line:
- They start the task without being asked
- They need one prompt instead of five
- They ask a stranger for help instead of waiting
- They do it on a bad day, not just a good one
- They do it somewhere new
- They say no to something they used to go along with
See where these moments could start for your young adult.
Take the Independence ScorecardWorking with us
How communication works
Agreed at the start
What gets shared, how often, and with whom - decided with the participant rather than assumed. They are an adult and it is their information.
Practical, not clinical
What was practised, what level of support was needed, what got in the way, and what is next. In plain language.
Useful at plan review
Progress described as assistance required, initiation, consistency, problem-solving and help-seeking - the things a Support Coordinator can actually use.
Start here
The Scorecard is the easiest first step
Twelve plain questions about everyday situations. About four minutes. You get a capability profile across six areas of adult life, where support is currently doing most of the work, and up to three areas that may be worth practising next — with practical steps you can try straight away, with or without a provider.
It is not a clinical assessment, a Functional Capacity Assessment, or an NDIS eligibility or funding assessment. It does not ask for a diagnosis, an NDIS number, or any medical information.
If you would rather just talk to someone first, that is completely fine — request an Independence Call or phone 0420 567 794.
Take the Independence ScorecardThree ways to take the next step
Whichever one fits, you will get a straight answer about whether Waymaker is the right fit.
Parent or family member
Six areas, about four minutes, a capability profile and up to three suggested priorities.
Take the Independence ScorecardSupport Coordinator or professional
Minimal referral details up front. We review fit and come back to you either way.
Refer a young adultReady to talk it through
A short Independence Call about goals, fit and how practice would actually work.
Discuss your goals