Support for
children

Support for you, support for your child.

Raising a child with autism or learning disabilities is challenging but also incredibly rewarding. At Milestones, we understand the importance of a support system that cares for the well-being of both your child and your family.

How Milestones supports your child to flourish

1

Individualised development

Tailored programmes to promote essential life skills and build your child’s confidence.

2

Community integration

Helping your child find belonging, build friendships, and participate in activities they enjoy.

3

Empowering growth

Encouraging self-discovery, independence, and the celebration of progress, both big and small.

4

Developing communication

Helping your child learn to express themselves in safe and practical ways to reduce emotional struggles and behaviours that challenge.

A support worker walks with a young person through a park

Providing space for caregivers to thrive

We recognise that supporting a child with additional needs can be demanding. In that understanding, we offer respite care, which allows you much-needed time for rest and recharging and attention to your needs, goals, and other family members.

From our database, we offer details of parent support groups and other resources and strongly encourage you to connect with others to better cope with your unique circumstances. Our guidance and advocacy service assures you that you’re not “doing it all alone”.

Children play together with kittens

Stronger together: building an inclusive community

Milestones believe in fostering a community where children with disabilities feel valued and families feel connected. We foster acceptance and understanding through:

  • Family-focused events which are great opportunities for social connection, fun, and building relationships.
  • Celebrating differences by promoting an environment where every child’s unique abilities are recognised and appreciated.

Reach out, we are here to help

Explore our website, learn about our services, and contact us. We’ll work together to build a support system that helps your child blossom and provides the respite you deserve.

Let's talk!

Khanyi Swartbooi

Support Worker & Administrative Assistant

Khanyi joined Milestones as a full-time Support Worker, driven by her passion for people with learning disabilities and commitment to excellence. She works additional hours in the office, assisting with administration tasks/activities, and her background includes over a decade of experience as an Account Manager. Khanyi has expertly managed relationships with a diverse group of clients, from CEOs to security organisations, and has demonstrated a unique ability to connect with individuals at all levels. She has managed to transfer such skills into her Support Worker role excellently.

Khanyi is currently finalising her online studies in BSc Marketing and Social Science. This blend of academic knowledge, experience, and skills enables her to provide exceptional support in both of her roles. Being a student has taught her resilience and the power to push through anything, further enhancing her dedication to giving her all in every endeavour.

Barbara Madyavanhu

Service Manager

Barbara boasts nearly a decade of invaluable experience working with a wide range of clientele, including children and adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health issues, and dementia, in various settings within the Health and Social Care sector.

Barbara joined Milestones in 2021 while on placement at Coventry University, studying for her MSc in International Healthcare Management. She has since successfully attained her degree qualification and now works as the Service Manager.

As part of Barbara’s role, she oversees staffing management, HR support, service coordination, rostering/detailing and assist with payroll.

While pragmatic in her approach, she is empathic and demonstrates an astounding passion for working with children and young adults.

During her personal time, Barbara loves travelling. She has travelled to various parts of the world, meeting new people and appreciating the diversity that exists within people. As part of her hobbies, she also enjoys baking, going on long drives, listening to music, and reading.

Mavis Gatsi

Registered Manager

Mavis has over 20 years of extensive experience working with children, young people, and adults who have learning disabilities and/or autism, including some who experience emotional and behavioural needs. She started her career in Social Care as a Support Worker and worked her way up to being a Team Manager.

During her years working for various organisations, Mavis noted the positive impact she had on the people she supported and identified some gaps in service provision, especially shortages of services that support children and young people living at home with their families.

Her passion for working with this population group motivated and inspired her to establish Milestones Support Services. Mavis professionally developed herself and acquired a qualification in counselling, and her knowledge and skills are essential when supporting the people we support and staff.

Mavis’ steely determination, dedication, resilience, and excellent networking skills are the driving force for the organisation. She is sociable and a people person, which makes it easy for her to engage with anyone from different backgrounds.

Mavis’ responsibilities include care management, recruitment, payroll, and CFO.

Doug Mutenha

Nominated Individual

Doug has a wealth of knowledge, hands-on experience, and skills from over twenty years of working in different public service settings, [Community, Hospitals and Secure Environments], supporting Children, Young People, and Adults living with various complex Health and Social Care needs, such as learning disabilities and/or autism, mental health, and some who experience challenging behaviours.

Doug’s inspiration for establishing Milestones Support Services stems from his five years (beginning in 2006) of experience as a Support Worker and Team Manager, providing direct support to individuals who have profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).

Doug found his Support Worker role to be a deeply rewarding field, and he found meaning in every workday. During that time, he developed a strong passion to embark on an academic journey, acquiring multiple professional qualifications in nursing, social work, public health, and program management. However, he felt a powerful desire to bring together all the qualifications and experiences to use in one setting. At this point, he partnered with Mavis, who shared the same vision and professional values, to establish Milestones Support Services.

Doug’s responsibilities include Governance Lead, overseeing compliance, organisational systems and processes, and formulating and delivering in-house training.