Pathways to independence: Boarding College
Our Boarding College is the first and only of its kind in Australia, offering young people with a disability and autism the unique chance to practise independent living in a safe and supportive environment.
Based in Caloundra, Queensland, the Boarding College program runs for two years over 48 weeks per year and is open to young adults over the age of 18 with an intellectual disability and autism.
In addition to learning core independent living skills, students take part in pathways to employment through training, work experiences and volunteering. Boarding students live on campus in modern 2 and 3 bedroom apartments where they enjoy the privacy of their own bedroom, bathroom and patio, and share a living room, kitchen and outdoor entertainment area as well as a range of on-campus facilities.
How our Boarding College works
The Boarding College runs for two years, with eight weeks of holidays where students can return home or make alternative arrangements.
Students live in modern two and three-bedroom units, each with a private bedroom, bathroom and patio. Shared spaces with housemates include the living room, kitchen and outdoor entertainment area, plus a range of communal on-campus areas.
We have everything a young person needs to feel at home in their own space.
Life at our Boarding College makes learning fully immersive, giving them the chance to emulate completely independent living while having support on-hand every step of the way.
What our students learn
Our Boarding College curriculum focuses on building skills and knowledge in 10 Key Areas of Learning:
- 1. Communication for everyday life
- 2. Social skills and building relationships
- 3. Home living, household and outdoor maintenance
- 4. Healthy living and personal wellbeing
- 5. Safe and respectful relationships
- 1. Communication for everyday life
- 2. Social skills and building relationships
- 3. Home living, household and outdoor maintenance
- 4. Healthy living and personal wellbeing
- 5. Safe and respectful relationships
- 6. Community connections (including transport and road safety)
- 7. Recreational planning and participation
- 8. Finding and maintaining a tenancy
- 9. Pathways to employment
- 10. Everyday technology, literacy and numeracy
- 6. Community connections (including transport and road safety)
- 7. Recreational planning and participation
- 8. Finding and maintaining a tenancy
- 9. Pathways to employment
- 10. Everyday technology, literacy and numeracy
We know that independence isn’t just about practical skills. It’s about belonging somewhere, having connections you can count on, and building a life that feels like your own. Our Boarding College students form genuine friendships with their housemates and peers. These are bonds that last well beyond graduation. Through shared meals, weekend activities, excursions and everyday moments, students build their social confidence and transform their mindset to discover that their goals are within their reach.
A brighter future for our students
Our mission is to empower all our STEPS Pathways College students to set and reach their own goals, equip them with the skills they need to live independently and thrive in their communities, and transform their mindsets to know that they can achieve what they put their minds to.
Over the course of two years, our Boarding College students learn to:
Communicate confidently in everyday situations and navigate appointments and services
Build and maintain positive relationships, and strengthen their social awareness
Manage their home environment with cooking, cleaning, laundry and general household skills
Look after their health and wellbeing through nutrition, hygiene, exercise and emotional self-care
Understand and practise safe, respectful interactions and personal boundaries in relationships
Travel independently and safely within the community using public transport and navigation
Plan and participate in meaningful hobbies, recreation and community activities
Secure and maintain a tenancy by understanding leases, the rental process and responsibilities
Explore pathways to employment and put professional skills and knowledge into practise
Use everyday technology and literacy and numeracy skills to support independent living
Many of our graduates have gone on to secure steady employment, move into independent accommodation, and stay close with the friends they made on campus. We’re proud to walk alongside our students and their families as they take this bold and exciting step towards a brighter future.
Take the next step
If you’re interested in enrolling or simply learning more about what STEPS Pathways College has to offer, we would love to talk.
Learn about our Day College
The Day College is suited to young people based on the Sunshine Coast who are ready to develop their skills for independence and take on new experiences while living off campus.
