Meet Kathleen Browne

Meet Kathleen

“I learned to navigate the NDIS for my son, and now I help other parents navigate it for their children.”

Hi, I’m Kathleen Browne — a social worker, NDIS Registered Provider, author, parent and founder of Kathleen Browne & Co. My work supporting families navigating disability is both personal and professional.

My journey with the NDIS didn’t begin with a business. It began with my son.

When my son first received an NDIS plan, I believed the funding would provide the supports he needed. But as we approached the end of his first plan, his funding was insufficient, and I was told I would need to remove him from his day program.

The following year, the same thing happened again. That’s when I realised something had to change.

I started looking closely at his plan, his funding and the supports he actually needed. I gathered the information and evidence myself, prepared for his next review and went into the meeting understanding what my son needed and why.

Since then, we have never experienced that same problem with his NDIS plan. That experience changed the direction of my professional work.

I realised parents need support too. Parents are often expected to navigate an incredibly complicated world of NDIS plans, funding, assessments, therapists, providers, schools, appointments and decisions — while still being Mum or Dad.

You shouldn’t have to understand everything on your own. But you should have the information you need to make informed decisions about your child and their supports.

Today, I combine my experience as a parent with my professional experience as a social worker and NDIS provider to help families understand what is happening, identify challenges early and work out practical ways forward.

When I meet a family, I don’t simply see an NDIS participant or an NDIS plan. I see the child. I see the parents. I see the family.

Because disability doesn’t exist separately from everyday life. It affects relationships, routines, education, work, finances, siblings, independence, future planning and the wellbeing of the whole family.

The Unique Parent Club

My own parenting journey also led me to write The Unique Parent Club – Navigating the Extraordinary Journey of Special Needs Parenting.

The book reflects something I have learned both personally and professionally: there is no handbook that prepares you for every part of raising a child with additional needs.

We learn. We ask questions. We advocate. We make mistakes. We solve challenges. And we keep moving forward.

That is the philosophy I bring to my work with families today. I don’t want to take over your journey. I want to help you understand it, navigate it and find practical solutions when barriers get in the way.

Supporting Families Navigating Disability and Everyday Life

Whether you’re struggling to understand your child’s NDIS plan, worried about funding, trying to coordinate supports, preparing for a review, dealing with a change in circumstances or simply wondering “What do I do next?” — sometimes the first step is having someone help you identify the challenge and work out a way forward.

Identify the challenge. Create a plan. Take action.

That’s how I learned to navigate the NDIS for my son. And that’s why I now help other families navigate it for theirs.