BACKGROUND
Esther has been working with children and young people since 2010, including in specialist behavioural services since 2014. In 2017, Esther moved from New Zealand to Australia and commenced working as a Behaviour Support Practitioner.
EXPERIENCE
Esther has experience supporting people with a variety of needs, in a variety of contexts, including:
- Supporting people in their homes, communities, schools, hospitals, residential facilities, and in formal out of home care settings
- Supporting people aged 5 – 65, with a primary focus on supporting people aged 17 – 30.
- Supporting people with a range of diagnoses including developmental, neurological, psychosocial, and genetic differences.
- Working closely with other members of multidisciplinary teams.
AREAS OF INTEREST
Esther has particular experience and interest in supporting people to maintain positive and sustainable support networks, including those who are experiencing (or are at risk of) breakdown or disengagement of supports, services, or school. Esther is passionate about providing supports to those who may be experiencing complex or intersecting challenges, for whom other support approaches have not been a good match.
APPROACH
Esther believes in providing support that:
- Is collaborative and transparent, closely involving the person and their important people (e.g. family, loved ones).
- Focuses on practical strategies to support a person’s sense of wellbeing, autonomy, connection, and stability. Where appropriate, this includes specific skills that a person wants to develop to meet their goals and navigate their lives.
- Recognises that people are doing their best, including individuals and their support teams. Where things are not going well, that represents a need for support in some form.
- Acknowledges the legal rights of individuals, the importance of autonomy and empowerment, while also acknowledging the importance of keeping people safe, and the rights and responsibilities of legal guardians.
- Listens to feedback and assesses progress and outcomes to ensure it is effective, and adapts over time to a person’s changing context and needs.