NDC FACILITATION ACADEMY
Neuro-affirming Facilitators, Au Pairs, Tutors and Carers
Clinically informed recruitment and training for families of neurodivergent children and adults
Specialist support staff for neurodivergent families
Very few au pairs, nannies, facilitators and tutors have been trained to support neurodivergent people well. The NDC Facilitation Academy exists to change that.
We source, match and train school facilitators, au pairs, tutors and adult companions for families of autistic, ADHD and otherwise neurodivergent children and adults. Because we are part of the Neurodiversity Centre’s clinical multidisciplinary team, every match is clinically informed: we look at your family member’s neurology, sensory profile, communication style and goals, not just a CV.
Our sourcing and placement service operates across South Africa, with dedicated branches in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Our neuro-affirming training is delivered online and is open to families, carers and agencies anywhere in the world.
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How can we help you?
Families and Employers
Find a trained, well-matched facilitator, au pair, tutor or companion for your child or adult family member.
FOR FAMILIES
Job Seekers
Join our talent pool and build a meaningful career supporting neurodivergent children and adults.
FOR JOB SEEKERS
Training
Neuro-affirming training for au pairs, facilitators, tutors and carers, open to anyone, anywhere.
VIEW TRAINING
Why trained, neuro-affirming support matters
Skilled, neuro-affirming facilitation doesn’t create dependency. It creates access. A well-matched support person removes the barriers between what a person knows and what they can show.
People supported by trained, affirming facilitators tend to show:
- Greater independence and autonomy over time
- Improved overall wellbeing
- Stronger self-advocacy skills
- Better outcomes across home, school and community
Equally, an under-trained or poorly matched support person can inadvertently undermine progress, confidence and autonomy. That is why we invest so heavily in both careful matching and in-depth training.
Support roles we source and train
Use the role descriptions to find the right type of support for your family member.
School Facilitator
In-class support that helps a learner access their education, with scaffolding for executive functioning, regulation, transitions and peer interaction, while building independence. Also known as a shadow aide or learning support assistant.
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Au Pair / Nanny
Nurturing, predictable care at home that supports regulation, daily routines, play and growing independence, with a real understanding of sensory and communication needs.
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Tutor / Home-school Facilitator
One-on-one academic support within a neuro-affirming framework for home-schooled learners or those needing tailored tuition, study skills and executive functioning support.
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Adult Companion
Practical, relational support for neurodivergent adults with daily living, community participation, pacing and self-advocacy, working alongside the person, never in place of them.
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How it works
Phase 1: Sourcing
We get to know your family member deeply, then search, screen and shortlist candidates using our best-fit framework. You meet your top candidates and help choose.
All six steps included
R6,775
Payable upfront upon registration
SEE THE PROCESS
Phase 2: Onboarding
Your chosen candidate completes our assessed online training alongside a round table meeting and four personalised support sessions.
Online course and support sessions
Two Options for Training
Training can be done independently of placement
SEE THE TRAINING
Frequently asked questions
What is the NDC Facilitation Academy?
The Facilitation Academy is the Neurodiversity Centre’s specialised, neuro-affirming sourcing and training service. We match families with suitable facilitators, au pairs, tutors and adult companions, and equip those individuals with the knowledge, skills and understanding to provide meaningful, effective support to neurodivergent children and adults.
Is this the same as a special needs nanny or SEN nanny agency?
Families often search for a special needs nanny, SEN nanny, shadow aide or learning support assistant. We provide these roles, with an important difference: our candidates are matched by a clinical multidisciplinary team and trained in a neuro-affirming approach, which sees neurodivergence as a natural difference to be understood and supported rather than corrected.
Where do you place facilitators, au pairs and tutors?
Our sourcing and placement service operates across South Africa, with dedicated branches in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Our training is delivered online and is available worldwide.
Can I train an au pair or facilitator we already employ?
Yes. Our full onboarding training is open to anyone, whether or not they were placed by us. It costs R7,890 for South African citizens · US$499 for international clients. See our training options.
Do you work with nanny agencies, au pair agencies and schools?
Yes. We work with agencies and organisations that want the carers they place or employ to be trained in neuro-affirming support. Email academy@neurodiversitycentre.co.za to discuss group or partner arrangements.
How do I apply for a facilitator, au pair or tutor role?
Use the Job Seeker or Vacancies tab in the forms section below, or visit our job seekers page for full details about the roles and process.
Get started
Register your family, join our talent pool or apply for a current vacancy.
How it works:
- Families and employers: complete the Employers / Families form below.
- Completing the form does not commit you to using our services, and there is no cost if you choose not to proceed.
- We start working on your family brief once you have confirmed you would like to go ahead and we have received the Phase 1 payment.
- Job seekers: use the Job Seeker tab to join our talent pool, or the Vacancies tab to apply for a current role.
