Meet Aideen, whose commitment to going above and beyond to help participants can reach their goals is a shining example of United for Care's person-centred ethos. Below, Aideen shares her journey in social care and how it led her to personalise the support she gives to each and every participant she works with.
An Inspired Career Choice
In today's world of social care, where empathy and empowerment are watchwords, Aideen was lucky enough to be surrounded at an early age by positive role models who embodied these qualities.
Aideen recalls, “I was involved in lots of youth groups growing up and there was one person that I always remember who had a positive impact on my life. She inspired me to do something similar for other people in my career.”.
“I wouldn’t say that I had the best track record in school, but I had a very dedicated career guidance officer who helped me weigh-up my options. I decided to go to college to study social science and then went on to do a Master’s in youth and community work”, Aideen says.
Innovative Therapies
After graduating with her Master’s, Aideen started working in the social care sector in Ireland. She got another qualification in sand therapy and started helping high-risk people.
In sand therapy, people create scenes in a sandbox with miniatures, enabling them to express emotions and explore thoughts, especially those difficult to verbalise. Effective for all ages, it's particularly helpful for people who have experienced trauma.
Aideen’s willingness to draw on innovative therapies demonstrates just how committed she is to helping people reach improved well-being and happiness.
A New Outlook on Support Work
Since arriving in Australia and starting with United for Care, Aideen’s switched her focus to helping people living with disabilities, but her commitment to improving lives remains unchanged.
Aideen helps United for Care’s participants get out into the community and enjoy more independent lifestyles. She says, “It’s been a big shift for me. Traditionally I’ve worked in residential settings with high-risk people. But being with United for care and driving independence for our participants has given me a whole new set of experiences. It’s changed my outlook on the kind of impact a support worker can have.”
Embracing a Person-Centred Approach
United for Care’s person-centred approach to Supported Independent Living (SIL) has been particularly eye-opening for Aideen. She says, “It’s all about giving the participants the freedom to choose how they spend their time. They get to pick what they do, rather than having a support worker make that decision for them.”.
A person-centred approach might seem like a simple concept, but it’s underpinned by an intricate process of getting to know the participant.
Aideen says, “From the very beginning of the support relationship, we need to take the time to understand what the participant’s ambitions are and what they’re passionate about. Once we’ve developed that familiarity, we can align them with support workers who have the right skills and similar interests.”
Chloe’s Day to Remember
But what exactly does a person-centred approach look like in practice? Chloe’s story is a perfect example.
Since relocating from Newcastle to United for Care’s Bondi Junction property back in April, Chloe had dreamt of exploring Sydney’s iconic harbour and Opera House.
With a little help from Aideen, Chloe’s dream became a reality, as the pair enjoyed a day to remember touring the sights of the city.
Aideen says, “This trip is something Chloe’s spoken about since day one. Seeing the excitement of her getting ready and then enjoying the day out felt like a big win for Chloe and our whole team.”
Going Above and Beyond
Chloe’s story is just one of many. Going above and beyond to ensure participants live life on their terms is an ethos that sits at the very heart of SIL by United for Care. The aim is never to fit people into a package of SIL supports, but to personalise the supports to such an extent that they fit the person perfectly.
For Aideen, working this way is a constant source of inspiration. She says, “The whole process of getting to know the participants and then helping them achieve their individual goals is so satisfying. They’re things they’ve wanted to do for years and we’re finally creating a space at United for Care where those ambitions can become a reality. For me, the team, and the participants, nothing beats that feeling.”.
How United for Care Can Help
If you or somebody you work with is looking for a person-centred SIL experience that always puts the participant first, United for Care can help.
Our industry expertise and deep understanding of living with disabilities make us a reliable choice. We’ll give you the perfect balance of support and independence, so you have the freedom to do whatever makes you, you.
Ready to take control of your NDIS journey? Talk to one of our friendly experts today:
