Location

Canberra, ACT, 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. Volunteer opportunities include supporting our allied health therapy teams working with children and adults, supporting our Lifestyles, 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) Little Kids is a two-week goal directed training program designed specifically for young children with cerebral palsy and similar conditions.

The program focuses on skills that children 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.

• Contribute to an engaging, goal oriented and strength-based group dynamic
• Support kids 1:1 to engage with goal 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

Benefits of Volunteering

• Provides 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:

Training: Online training access will be given prior to the program (Mandatory)

Dates: 22nd June 2026 - 3rd July 2026 (excluding weekends) Times: 8:30am - 1pm

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Build experience engaging with children with disabilities
• Witness and contribute to strength and capacity building through evidence-based approaches
• Work in a team of experienced health professionals
• Be equipped with a full day of invaluable training before the commencement of the program that you can carry with you for the rest of your endeavours
• Collaboratively work towards client goals and see progress over the two weeks
• Learn about the variety of services offered by Cerebral Palsy Alliance
• Exposure to working in a multidisciplinary team
• Habit-ILE would be of special benefit to Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy students, but would also be beneficial to any health and education students

Role requirements:

• 16 years and above

• NDIS Worker Screening

• Working with Children Check (NSW)

• Working with Vulnerable People Check (ACT) *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 students and volunteers. As such we encourage all volunteers be vaccinated against COVID-19 . Cerebral Palsy Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Cerebral Palsy Alliance upholds, advocates for, and protects therights, wellbeing and safety of people with a disability. We are a child safeorganisation 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 ApplyPlease 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 Elaine Young on volunteer@cerebralpalsy.org.au.

Application Close Date: 18/06/2026 11:59 PM