The NDIS Supported
Ranch Hand
Program
BUILDING SKILLS,
GROWING CONFIDENCE.
A work-experience program with a mission to elevate independence & develop connection.
Amaroo’s Ranch Hand Program ™ is an NDIS supported work-experience program for people aged 16+ who want to build practical skills, gain real work experience and take their next step towards employment & greater independence.
Learning & Growing, Amongst Nature
Set in the calming energy of the Megalong Valley, participants learn through practical hands-on experience: working with horses, cattle and chickens, caring for the property, completing practical projects and developing communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills that support everyday living, as well as a workplace setting.
A SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT IN
A GENTLE, NURTURING ENVIRONMENT
Holistic learning begins here.
With over 25 years’ experience in community development programs, Amaroo was born from a vision to create a nurturing educational environment, grounded in Mother Nature.
Founded by Bel Muiser, drawing on front line experience working in the Disability Sector and with the Department of Communities and Justice, Amaroo is a space where participants can learn and grow alongside a team of psychotherapy and behaviour support professionals, registered support workers and equine assisted learning specialists.
Book a Discovery Call
A work experience program that feels different.
Set on a working farm, The Ranch Hand Program provides a supportive environment where participants can start building work-place skills through practical, hands-on activities that focus on developing and strengthening:
Workplace confidence
Communication & teamwork
Problem-solving & decision-making
Practical & vocational skills
Emotional regulation & self-awareness
Independence & responsibility
Familiarity with workplace expectations
Confidence interacting with others
Through Amaroo’s Ranch Hand Program, participants get the opportunity to discover their own unique strengths and importantly, what they enjoy!
Thoughtfully crafted to elevate what matters most.
PROGRAM GOALS
FINDING & KEEPING A JOB
Feeling prepared to keep and grow in a job can be a whole new experience.
The Ranch Hand program helps participants practice the foundations of workplace participation through practical based activities and responsibilities.
Participants can develop skills in:
Following instructions
Working as part of a team
Communicating effectively with others
Completing tasks
Taking responsibility
Following safety procedures
Problem-solving
Adapting when things don't go to plan
These are practical skills that can transfer into future employment environments.
TRANSITIONING FROM SCHOOL TO ‘WHAT’S NEXT’?
Leaving school can be daunting for some, raising a significant and life altering question:
"What do I do now?".
The Ranch Hand program gives participants an opportunity to explore life beyond school through practical experiences, presenting new responsibilities and exposure to different types of work.
Rather than simply talking about employment in a clinical setting, participants can truly experience first-hand what ‘working’ but more importantly contributing feels like.
It's a space to explore interests, build confidence and start thinking about possible next steps.
EXPLORE PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT
We understand that not everyone has a defined career path when they leave school.
Ranch Hand offers participants hands on exposure to a range of practical activities and unearths new ideas for employment, including:
Animal care
Property maintenance
Horticulture
Land management
Equipment maintenance
Health and safety
Communication and customer service
Environmental and sustainability activities
The goal isn't to put every participant on the same path.
It's to help them identify their own personal strengths, uncover their passions and discover possibilities.
REAL WORK EXPERIENCE
Learn by doing,
Grow through practice.
The Ranch Hand Program is built around practical, hands-on experiences in a working equine and rural environment.
Participants take part in activities such as:
Equine care
Horticulture and land care
Property maintenance
Sustainability projects
Safe use of equipment
Practical-based tasks
Team-based activities
Workplace health and safety
Participants who complete the program receive a Certificate of Completion and a personal work experience reference from the program facilitators.
SKILLS & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Work readiness isn't just about knowing how to do a task.
It's also about developing the confidence and personal skills to contribute to team environment.
The Ranch Hand Program facilitates an environment where participants can work on:
Communication Practice communicating with facilitators and co- participants in real situations.
Teamwork Work alongside others towards shared tasks and outcomes.
Problem-solving Learn to think through practical challenges and discover solutions.
Independence Grow increasing responsibility for tasks and activities.
Confidence Build confidence through achievable, hands-on experiences.
Responsibility Learn the importance of reliability, accountability, safety and completing tasks.
SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL GROWTH
A workplace is a social environment.
Being able to communicate, manage emotions, respond to challenges and work alongside others can make a significant difference to someone's experience of work and community participation.
The Ranch Hand Program provides opportunities to practice these skills in a supportive environment.
Through interactions with people, horses and nature, participants can explore:
Emotional awareness
Self-regulation
Communication
Cooperation
Confidence
Resilience
Social connection
Self-awareness
The existing Ranch Hand program specifically incorporates social skills, emotional regulation, self-awareness, confidence and independence into its approach.
The Horse Human Connection
Offers so much more than you realise.
Evidence based research has confirmed that the interactive connection between horse and humans can help induce a state of calm, providing an rich environment for learning and growth.
Building trust – fostering a safe environment for taking risks and learning.
Reducing stress – interaction with horses can help lower cortisol, supporting a calmer state, resulting in improved focus and learning.
Developing communication – strengthening verbal and non-verbal communication and social development through reading the horse’s cues.
Building confidence – achieving goals with a horse develops self-belief and motivation.
Encourages responsibility – caring for a horse builds independence and accountability.
Promotes emotional regulation – teaching participants skills to harness their emotions and evoke a sense of calmness and resilience.
Develops empathy – encourages understanding and responding to the needs of the horse, as well as their co-participants.
Builds resilience – challenges and setbacks develop patience, persistence, and adaptability.
Encourages self-awareness – with the horses providing immediate feedback about human behaviour and emotions.
Thoughtfully crafted to elevate what matters most.
WHAT DO PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE ON COMPLETION?
It is our goal to ensure that every participant we work with leaves Amaroo experiencing growth socially, spiritually & professionally. This is why we call our program:
‘A holistic approach to work-experience’
WHAT PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE
✓ Practical work experience Hands-on exposure to a range of activities and potential employment pathways.
✓ Skills development Opportunities to develop communication, teamwork, problem-solving, practical and workplace skills.
✓ Social & emotional development A supportive environment to build confidence, self-awareness, communication and emotional regulation skills.
✓ Certificate of Completion Participants receive a certificate upon completion.
✓ Personal work reference Participants receive a personal work experience reference from the program facilitators.
✓ A supportive community of professionals that care An opportunity to work alongside others, build connections and discover new strengths.
✓ Flexible learning opportunities Specific participant learning requests can be incorporated into the program where appropriate.
WHY CHOOSE AMAROO FOR A WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM?
-
Our certified practitioners adeptly guide EAL/P sessions, leveraging their expertise in corporate team dynamics and equine interactions for a comprehensive learning experience.
-
Immerse your team in the tranquility of the Blue Mountains, fostering an environment conducive to reflection, growth, and learning.
-
Each workshop is customised to address your team's specific goals and challenges, ensuring a personalised and impactful learning journey.
-
Embark on a journey of growth, unity, and skill development with Equine Assisted Learning at Amaroo Equine. Elevate your team's potential amidst the natural beauty of Megalong Valley in the Blue Mountains.