The Learning Life provides specialist learning and wellbeing pathway support for families when school, learning or wellbeing has become difficult to navigate. I support families dealing with school refusal, disengagement, burnout, neurodivergence, anxiety, suspension, homeschool transitions and complex education decisions.

The focus is on helping families understand what is happening, explore realistic options, and create a pathway forward that supports both learning and wellbeing.

The Learning Life is for families who feel that the current school or learning pathway is no longer working for their child.

This may include families whose child is refusing school, attending inconsistently, emotionally overwhelmed, burnt out, disengaged, neurodivergent, suspended, withdrawn, or needing a different approach to learning and wellbeing.

No. The Learning Life does not replace school. I help families explore what pathway may be most realistic for their child. This may include school re-engagement, reduced attendance, homeschool, distance education, TAFE, alternative education, wellbeing support or a staged transition.

The goal is not to push one option, but to help your family make a thoughtful and informed decision.

I mainly support school-aged children and teenagers, with a particular focus on young people who are struggling with school refusal, disengagement, anxiety, burnout, neurodivergence or uncertainty around their learning pathway.

If you are unsure whether your child is the right fit, the 15-minute suitability call is the best place to start.

Yes. School refusal and school avoidance are common reasons families reach out. The focus is not on forcing attendance or creating quick compliance. We look at what may be driving the refusal, what has already been tried, and what kind of pathway may be more realistic for your child and family.

That can be part of the reason families reach out. Support can begin with parent consultation and pathway planning, even if your child is not ready to fully engage.

Youth connection sessions are offered gently and respectfully, with the aim of understanding your child’s perspective, not forcing them to talk or comply.

This is exactly the type of situation The Learning Life supports. Disengagement, anxiety and burnout often point to a deeper mismatch between the young person’s needs and their current environment.

Together, we look at your child’s school experience, wellbeing, strengths, stress points, family context and previous supports so we can understand what may be happening and what next steps may actually work.

Yes. I work with families where autism, ADHD, anxiety, sensory needs, PDA-style profiles, burnout or learning differences may be affecting school engagement and wellbeing.

The focus is on creating a pathway that is respectful, realistic, strengths-based and supportive of the young person’s needs.

No. The Learning Life is not only for homeschooling families. I support families across a range of situations, including mainstream school, reduced attendance, homeschool, distance education, TAFE, alternative education or families who are unsure what pathway is right.

Yes. This is a key part of the pathway consultation. We explore whether school re-engagement, reduced attendance, homeschool, distance education, TAFE, alternative education or another staged pathway may be most realistic for your child and family.

Yes. I can help families explore homeschool, distance education, TAFE, alternative education and flexible learning options. The focus is on choosing a pathway that is realistic, sustainable and supportive of your child’s learning and wellbeing.

Yes. The Learning & Wellbeing Pathway Consultation includes written recommendations and a personalised Learning & Wellbeing Pathway Plan. This gives families a clearer record of what was explored and the next steps being suggested.

Yes, where appropriate. School communication support, meeting preparation, written recommendations and collaboration with schools or professionals can be included or added through Flexible Pathway Support.

Yes. The work is whole-family focused. Parents are often carrying a lot of pressure, confusion and decision-making, so parent support is a central part of the process.

Depending on the service, support may include parent consultation, youth connection sessions, pathway planning, written recommendations and follow-up support.

Absolutely. Many families come to us at the very beginning of their journey. There’s no “right way” to start.

Yes, where appropriate. If more than one child is needing support, this can be discussed during the suitability call. In some cases, a broader family pathway approach may be more useful than focusing on one child alone.

That can be part of the picture. Support can begin with parent consultation and understanding the family situation. Youth connection sessions are offered where appropriate, but the process does not rely on your child being immediately ready to engage.

Yes, where appropriate and with parent consent. The Learning Life can complement therapeutic, medical, school or NDIS supports by helping families clarify education pathways, practical next steps and learning or wellbeing options.

Yes. Referrals are welcome from psychologists, OTs, GPs, schools, support coordinators, youth workers and family services. The Learning Life may be suitable when a family needs practical education and wellbeing pathway support alongside existing therapeutic, school or community supports.

You can begin by booking a 15-minute suitability call or applying for a Pathway Consultation. This helps us briefly understand what is happening and decide which service is the best fit.

Yes. Some families begin with a Complex Situation Review and later move into a Learning & Wellbeing Pathway Consultation or Flexible Pathway Support. The right option depends on the complexity of your situation and the level of support needed.

The Learning Life is based in the Northern Rivers, NSW. Support is available online across Australia, with in-person support available in the Northern Rivers where appropriate.

The suitability call is a short fit-check. It is not a full support session. It gives us a chance to briefly understand your situation, decide whether The Learning Life is the right fit, and recommend the most appropriate next step.

The Learning Life is not a registered NDIS provider. Some families may be able to use self-managed or plan-managed funding where the support aligns with their plan goals and is approved by their plan manager or support coordinator.

Families are responsible for confirming whether their funding can be used.