About Gateways Support Services

Gateways Support Services provides quality, responsive services to more than 1900 children and adults with disabilities and their families in the western half of Victoria each year.

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Gateways services include:

  • autism assessment and diagnosis
  • early childhood intervention & therapy services
  • inclusion support at childcare and kindergarten
  • case management & support coordination
  • parent support groups
  • child and adult respite and community participation
  • Interchange volunteer respite
  • social recreation groups for teenagers and young adults with disabilities
  • specialist school holiday programs for children with disabilities
  • skill building & community participation support for adults
  • independent living support
  • specialist out of home care for children with disabilities
  • community residential units for people with complex disabilities
  • dementia and frail aged respite programs

We are acknowledged as a specialist provider of services to children and adults with autism in Geelong, the Barwon region and South West Victoria, with a particular focus on people with complex needs including challenging behaviour.

Gateways was formed by the local community to create services to address community needs and is run by a Board of Management comprising highly respected members of the community.


Statement of Purpose

1. Children, Adults, Families and the Community

To provide responsive, individualised services and support which promote:

Each Child/Adult’s

  • Quality and enjoyment of life
  • Safety and security
  • Self esteem, independence and social skills
  • Positive experiences in the community
  • Potential by building on strengths and capabilities
  • Opportunities to participate in decision-making processes in all aspects of life

Each Family’s

  • Quality and enjoyment of life
  • Safety and security
  • Ways of dealing with grief and loss issues
  • Empowerment through information and education
  • Positive opportunities

The Community’s

  • Mutual awareness and understanding
  • Positive experiences and relationships
  • Living, learning, working and socialising cooperatively with children and adults with a disability/additional need and their families

2. Staff and Volunteers

To empower and support staff and volunteers through:

  • The provision of learning and development to enhance quality service provision
  • Open two-way communication, encouraging participation in decision-making
    Valuing the contribution of all staff and volunteers

3. Organisation

  • To ensure Gateways is a well-managed, ethical and viable organisation
    To maintain an organisational culture which supports teamwork, innovation and evidence-based service delivery
  • To work in partnership with other agencies and funding bodies to provide integrated and coordinated supports

Download the Gateways Support Services organisation structure or contact us if you’d like to know more.