Connect
Communication, emotional understanding, friendships, relationships and boundaries.
Functional Social Work for adolescents aged 13+ and adults with disability
Support for real life, not just the plan.
Helping people navigate life with greater independence through practical, person-centred and strengths-based social work.
Home and community appointments across the Gold Coast, with online sessions throughout Queensland where appropriate.
The skills around the task
Life skills are also knowing how to ask for help, make a decision, handle disagreement, recognise a boundary and solve an unexpected problem.When Functional Social Work may help
Connect | Navigate | Grow
Building Skills for Everyday Life
Meaningful progress happens when people have the skills, confidence and support to navigate everyday life.
Our approach develops functional capacity through practical, strengths-based social work. By working alongside participants, families and existing support networks, we help turn new skills into lasting changes in everyday life.
Navigate
Problem-solving, managing change, conflict and everyday decisions.
Grow
Self-advocacy, choice, participation and increasing independence.
The unmet need
Someone may be able to do the task - until something changes
Existing abilities do not always translate easily into social participation, self-advocacy or everyday decision-making.
A plan changes unexpectedly and someone else has to step in.
It is hard to ask for help, express a boundary or handle disagreement.
Appointments, study, work or NDIS conversations feel difficult to navigate.
Friendships and relationships are wanted, but starting or maintaining them is hard.
Meet Faye
A practice shaped by professional and lived experience
Faye founded Gold Coast Social Works after seeing that people could have several supports yet still lack opportunities to learn and practise everyday social and relational skills.
Her approach looks beyond diagnosis, recognises strengths and listens to what matters to each person.
Read Faye's storyTwo clear pathways
Find the information that matters to you
A short first step helps determine fit before detailed personal or clinical information is collected.
Looking for practical support?
Understand who the service may suit, what support can involve and how family or support networks can participate.
Considering a referral?
Review referral fit, scope, collaboration, the participant journey and the information needed for an initial referral.
Start with a conversation
Not sure whether Functional Social Work is the right fit?
Send a short initial enquiry. Faye will review the information and discuss the most appropriate next step.