Living with cerebral palsy: support built around your life
You know exactly how you like your transfers done, your breakfast set up and your week planned. You just want support workers who listen, and who come back next week. Kinship supports people with cerebral palsy and their families across Western Sydney, with the same support worker every visit.
- Registered NDIS provider (4-GWVHCEY)
- Same support worker every visit
- Complex bowel care and PEG feeding available
Cerebral palsy in brief
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of conditions that affect movement, muscle tone, posture and balance. Cerebral Palsy Alliance explains it is usually caused by an injury to the developing brain during pregnancy or shortly after birth. It is permanent, and it doesn’t get worse over time.
CP looks very different from one person to the next, from weakness in one hand to very little voluntary movement. Pain, epilepsy, communication differences, sleep problems and bladder changes are more common in people with CP. Raising Children Network calls it the most common childhood physical disability in Australia.
Figures: Cerebral Palsy Alliance, About cerebral palsy and How cerebral palsy affects people (checked October 2026).
General information only, not medical advice — talk to your GP or health team about your own situation. We say “person with cerebral palsy” and “wheelchair user”, and we follow each person’s own preference.
Questions people search about cerebral palsy
What parents and adults with CP look up. Short answers from Cerebral Palsy Alliance, healthdirect and Raising Children Network.
Does cerebral palsy get worse over time?
No. The brain injury doesn’t progress. healthdirect says CP is lifelong and doesn’t worsen, though things like pain, fatigue and mobility can change as people get older.
What causes cerebral palsy?
Injury to, or different development of, the brain before, during or soon after birth. Causes include prematurity, lack of oxygen, stroke and infection. Sometimes no cause is found.
What are the types of cerebral palsy?
Spastic (stiff, tight muscles) is the most common, then dyskinetic (involuntary movements) and ataxic (shaky, unsteady movement). Many people have a mix.
Can cerebral palsy be cured?
No. healthdirect says it can’t be cured, but it can be managed with a team of health professionals.
Does cerebral palsy affect intelligence?
Not always. Cerebral Palsy Alliance says about 1 in 5 people with CP have a moderate to severe intellectual disability, and some people with a severe physical disability have no intellectual disability at all.
Can people with CP who can’t speak still communicate?
Yes. Cerebral Palsy Alliance says about 1 in 4 people with CP are unable to talk, and many use communication devices, switches or eye-gaze technology.
Everyday life with cerebral palsy: what helps
Practical ideas from healthdirect, Cerebral Palsy Alliance and continence.org.au. Your health team can tailor them.
The right gear, set up well
Physios and OTs can suggest splints, walkers or wheelchairs, and check the home and workplace.
Every voice counts
Speech-generating devices, switches and eye gaze can be assessed by a speech pathologist or OT.
Plan for rest
Flexible hours and planned breaks help, especially as pain or fatigue changes with age.
Routine and fibre
Scheduled toilet times and treating constipation help, since constipation can make incontinence worse.
Know your toilets
The National Public Toilet Map, the MLAK key and Changing Places facilities make outings easier.
Don’t put up with it
Pain is common with CP, and treatment is available. Raise it with your GP.
Cerebral palsy and the NDIS
If you’re younger than 65 on the day you apply, you can apply to the NDIS. Cerebral palsy assessed as severe (for example GMFCS Level 3, 4 or 5) is on the NDIS “List A” of conditions likely to meet the disability requirements. At other levels, you’ll usually need to show how CP affects daily life.
For children younger than 9, the NDIS early childhood approach and local early childhood partners are the starting point. Thriving Kids began on 1 October 2026 for some children with low to moderate support needs; the NDIS says children with permanent and significant disability will continue to access the NDIS. NDIS laws are changing, so check ndis.gov.au for the latest.
Applying to the NDIS
Talk to your local NDIS partner or call 1800 800 110. Our free guide walks through the access request.
How to apply for the NDIS →Understanding your plan
Equipment, communication devices and daily supports sit in different budgets. Our guide explains them.
Understanding your NDIS plan →Cerebral Palsy Alliance
Information and services for people with CP and families on 1300 888 378.
Visit Cerebral Palsy Alliance →Support for the life you’re building
From Colebee and Blacktown to Box Hill, Rouse Hill and Riverstone. The same support worker every visit, who learns how you like things done.
We understand you’re the expert on you
Living with cerebral palsy, you’ve probably spent years teaching new people how to help: how you like a transfer done, how to set up a meal, how long things really take. Starting again with a stranger every week is exhausting.
For families of young people, the big moments bring big questions: finishing school, finding work, moving out of home. Support should follow your goals, at your pace.
Registered, experienced and local
- Registered NDIS provider (4-GWVHCEY)
- In disability and aged care since 2017
- High intensity: complex bowel care, catheter care, PEG feeding and medication management
- Registered to deliver SIL
- Same support worker every visit
- Hundreds of clients and families supported
Founded by Shazia Begum, who has spent more than 15 years alongside people living with disability. Based at 39 Victory Road, Colebee, and families get updates from us as standard.
Here’s how we can help
Personal care and daily living
Showering, dressing, transfers and meals, done your way, by someone who knows your routine.
Daily living support →Complex care at home
Complex bowel care, catheter care, PEG feeding and medication management are on our registered high intensity list.
High intensity support →Community participation
Sport, study, work, friends. Getting to the things you want to do.
Community participation →Life skills
Building the skills you choose, from cooking to running a household.
Life skills and group activities →Supported Independent Living
For young adults and adults ready to move out of home and live with housemates, with support at home. We’re registered to deliver SIL; call us to talk about current availability.
Supported Independent Living →Respite for the family
A familiar support worker stays with your son or daughter at home or takes them out, so you can rest, get to your own appointments or simply have the afternoon. NDIS-funded or booked privately.
Respite care →Continence is part of everyday life with CP for many people
Cerebral Palsy Alliance says continence and constipation are issues for many people with CP. A continence nurse can help, and the National Continence Helpline (1800 33 00 66) is free. The NDIS may fund continence supports related to your disability.
Our sister business Equipit supplies continence products such as adult nappies, continence briefs and bed protection. Equipit is the product-supply arm of Kinship Uniting Services, an NDIS registered and CHSP approved provider since 2017.
Please note: Equipit is part of the same family of businesses as Kinship, and you’re free to buy continence products from any supplier you choose. Equipit is not an NDIS registered provider, so agency-managed NDIS funds can’t be spent with Equipit. If you’re self-managed or plan-managed, check with your plan manager first.
Parents are often the coordinator, the driver and the carer all at once. We keep you updated as standard, and respite gives you time back for yourself.
Respite care →If you coordinate supports or manage plans for someone with CP, call us about high intensity supports, life skills, or a move towards more independence, including SIL. We’ll be upfront about current availability.
Information for referrers →Come and talk to us
If you’d like us to help with this, call 0437 733 744 and we’ll talk it through. Tell us your goals and how you like things done. We’ll tell you plainly whether and how we can help.
The free guide to living with cerebral palsy
Printable and plain-English, for people with CP, parents and carers.
- CP in plain English: types, severity and common related conditions
- Everyday tips for equipment, communication, energy and continence
- The NDIS, List A and the early childhood approach
- Questions for your GP and planner, and a printable checklist
Free, no sign-up. Print it, share it, take it to your next appointment.
Plain-English guides for the next step
Questions about cerebral palsy support
Is cerebral palsy covered by the NDIS?
It can be, if you meet the access requirements. CP assessed as severe, such as GMFCS Level 3, 4 or 5, is on the NDIS List A, meaning it is likely to meet the disability requirements. You still need to be under 65 when you apply and meet the residence rules.
What about children with milder CP?
Children younger than 9 start with the NDIS early childhood approach. Thriving Kids began in October 2026 for some children with low to moderate support needs, and the NDIS says access rules for children won’t change until 1 January 2028.
Does the NDIS pay for continence products?
It may fund continence supports, such as pads and bed protection, if they relate to your disability. It usually asks for evidence from a continence nurse or other health professional.
Can Kinship help with PEG feeding and bowel care?
Yes. PEG feeding, complex bowel care, catheter care and medication management are part of our registered high intensity supports.
Will I have the same support worker each time?
Yes. You’ll have the same support worker every visit, so you’re not explaining transfers or routines to someone new.
Who can I call for CP advice?
Cerebral Palsy Alliance on 1300 888 378. For health advice at any hour, healthdirect is on 1800 022 222. Carers can call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.
How do we get started with Kinship?
Call 0437 733 744, or send an enquiry through our website. We’ll ask about the person first: what a good day looks like and what’s getting harder. Then we’ll tell you plainly whether and how we can help. If there’s an NDIS plan, have it nearby. If there isn’t one yet, we can still talk it through.
Sources
Facts on this page come from these organisations. We checked them in October 2026; always go to the source for the latest.
- Cerebral Palsy Alliance — What is cerebral palsy?
- Cerebral Palsy Alliance — About cerebral palsy (facts)
- Cerebral Palsy Alliance — How CP affects people
- Cerebral Palsy Alliance — Australian CP Register
- Cerebral Palsy Alliance — Assistive technology
- healthdirect — Cerebral palsy
- healthdirect — Living with cerebral palsy
- Raising Children Network — Cerebral palsy
- continence.org.au — Functional incontinence
- NDIS — Applying to the NDIS (List A, PDF)
- NDIS — Guide to the early childhood approach
- NDIS — First phase of Thriving Kids supports start today
- NDIS — Securing the NDIS for future generations
- NDIS Our Guidelines — Continence supports (PDF)
- National Continence Helpline (continence.org.au)
General information only, not medical advice — talk to your GP or health team. Images are illustrative; to protect our clients’ privacy we never show real clients.
Let’s talk about what you’re working towards
Call us and we’ll talk it through. Start with the goals, then the routine.
Registered NDIS provider 4-GWVHCEY. Operating in disability and aged care since 2017. See all conditions we support.