10 things about you: Q&A with our Central West Positive Behaviour Support practitioners

Positive Behaviour Support Central West NSW

Ability Consultants is an NDIS provider in Central West NSW, where we support your community through Positive Behaviour support in Mudgee, Dubbo and surrounds.

We know it’s important to get familiar with the people who support you and your loved ones so we hope you enjoy this Q&A. Meet your local behaviour support practitioners in Central West NSW, Hayley Gray and Candice Golding!

10 things about your local behaviour support practitioners in Central West NSW

Hayley and Candice, thank you for your time today! We’re so glad that we can support the Central West community through Positive Behaviour Support. What are your official roles at Ability Consultants?

Hayley: I am a Behaviour Support Practitioner as well as a Team Leader.

Candice: I’m a Behaviour Support Practitioner.

Where are you based in Central West NSW?

Hayley: I’ve been based in Mudgee since 2010, but I also provide support in Gulgong, Kandos, Rylstone and right through to Bathurst.

Candice: I’m based in Dubbo but also cover Gilgandra, Narromine, Wellington and areas through to Orange.

What do you like most about your role as a behaviour support practitioner?

Hayley: I like that everyday is different and that I’m able to meet and support the most amazing clients and their families, carers, support workers and health professionals.

Candice: The ability to help people in our own communities and understand how life is different outside of cities, offering support in a way that fits our community better.

Why did you join Ability Consultants?

Hayley: I worked with several behaviour support organisations when I worked for a disability provider, and Ability Consultants always ensured there was a real person-centred approach to their work, and strategies that were so relevant. So when the local practitioner was moving on and approached me, I was so excited by the opportunity to explore the role further.

Candice: I fell into Positive Behaviour Support unexpectedly and have had the opportunity to learn and grow in other organisations, prior to my move to Ability Consultants. Ability Consultants offered more chances to grow and learn and be the best version of myself within the field as I can be, under amazing guidance and support.

What do you find challenging in your role as a behaviour support practitioner?

Hayley: Sometimes people make things more complicated than they need to, which can be due to the pressure of the system, and sometimes so much emotion goes into our work, that we forget to keep it simple, and consistent, and build from there.

Candice: Knowing when to not let work take over life, because you are so passionate about ensuring the people you support have the best possible outcomes. Not giving too much of ourselves to others, again coming from a great sense of passion for what we do and people we aim to support.

Mudgee is about four hours from Sydney and Dubbo is just over five hours away from the city. What’s different about supporting rural communities compared with urban communities?

Hayley: I think rural participants still really value face-to-face, human connection. Technology is not as integrated, or available. Rural participants also seem to have long standing relationships, for better or worse, and are less aware of all the choices available to them.

Candice: Rural people need to learn about you before they open up their homes and families and hearts to you, they need to know you are a safe person and that you are willing to stick with them throughout the journey. Most of all, they value mutual respect and understanding and connecting at a deeper level that only comes with face to face connections. Out this way, the offer of technology will always come second to a home visit over a cuppa!

In the world of NDIS and disability support, if you could change something in Central West NSW, what would it be?

Hayley: Access to providers. I understand everywhere is very strained in our industry, but I would love to see an increase in services in Central West NSW so people with disabilities have choices that meet their individual needs.

Candice: Ease of access to medical and allied health supports — our waitlists in the Central West are massive. For a family supporting someone with complex health issues and or disabilities, there's no option of a quick trip to see someone for support. Our schooling systems also need a shake up to be more inclusive and understanding of outside-the-box learners and personalities.

What do you do when you are not working?

Hayley: I love to have plans, I catch up with friends and family, head to a concert or the theatre, travel, try new recipes (though I tend to freestyle a bit there!) and support local events in our beautiful town.

Candice: Horses, horses, horses and of course spending time with my fam!!! Although my two children are too cool for me these days, I try to annoy them as much as I can.

What has been the best thing that has happened while working with Ability Consultants?

Hayley: Being part of the supportive culture, growing as a clinician through such relevant support and supervision and stepping into the Team Leader role to begin sharing all that I have learnt.

Candice: The learning and development and growth in confidence. I am still finding my feet but I appreciate that nothing is a silly question and everything is at our fingertips if we need to find or know something.

What are 3 things people wouldn’t know about you?

Hayley:

• I am a member of the Country Women's Association and am always really proud to see their lobbying power with the government.
• I love Disney and I am totally thrilled that next year my daughter will live out her dream when she dances there.
• I am also a Trainer and Assessor for the Community Services industry, and find it so important to share current practices and knowledge with people in our sector and watch them achieve great things within their careers.

Candice:

• I’m obsessed with corgis (although I only own bulldogs).
• I spend most of my free time showing, prepping and riding horses… Yes, this means my day starts at 5am.
• I read and read and read. I love reading everything I can get my hands on but due to my dyslexia I am terrible at spelling!!!

Find out more about your behaviour support practitioners in Central West NSW

To find out more about your local behaviour support practitioners, check out these links below:

• Hayley interview with Jess McGuire, ABC Western Plains radio
• Q&A with Hayley Gray, NDIS Provider in Mudgee
• Q&A with Candice Golding, Behaviour Support Practitioner in Dubbo

Make a referral for Positive Behaviour Support in Central West NSW

If you’d like to get started with Positive Behaviour Support in Central West NSW, please feel welcome to complete our online referral form.

If you have any questions about Positive Behaviour Support, please feel welcome to call our team on 1300 694 625 or send us a message using our contact form.