It takes a diverse group of people to provide the many types of disability and youth supports we offer at MADEC. In this series we chat with our staff about their roles and spotlight some of the friendly faces in our team! For our third instalment, we had a chat with our Practice Mentors, Jess and Kenton.
Our Practice Mentors provide support and guidance to our Youth Support and Disability Support Workers, ensuring that MADEC staff deliver the very best supports to our young people and persons with a disability. They’re incredible fountains of knowledge and are champions of skills development and ethical care.
What is a Practice Mentor and what does it involve?
Jess: My role at MADEC is the Out of Home Care (OOHC) Practice Mentor. I provide guidance and support to individuals or teams working within the OOHC space, ensuring that our Youth staff deliver high-quality, effective and ethical support to the young people in our care. I support staff to enhance the quality of care provided to our young people by developing their skills and knowledge whilst maintaining compliance and adhering to the Child Safety framework.
Kenton: I have two different roles within MADEC; I’m both a Disability Support Worker and Practice Mentor. In my role as a Practice Mentor, I help support workers in their professional journey by observing supports in practice and give guidance, assist staff with skill building, provide and receive feedback, share knowledge, give encouragement and assist Disability Support Workers in problem solving any challenges that they may face.
What’s something people might not know about you?
Jess: I’ve written a book on Youth Mental Health based on my son — its a book I have both written and created a brand around to break the stigma on youth mental health and help people to not feel so isolated and alone.
Kenton: I love pop culture! I am a big fan of anime and anything from the sci-fi and the fantasy genres, like the Lord Of The Rings.
What motivated you to work in the youth and disability sector?
Jess: I fell into Youth Support when I was forced to make a permanent career change. I have always been in the wellbeing industry with my main goal always being that clients would leave feeling good, a bit more confident, and that their heads would be held a little higher than when I first encountered them.
I have extensive personal and professional experience around mental health as a whole and have a passion for youth mental health specifically. I was previously a Behaviour Aide with 10 young people on my schedule who were aged 6-11 years old – all disengaged and labelled ‘the naughty kids’ with ongoing criminal, behavioural and trauma issues.
I then became a Teacher Aide at a high school – supporting the labelled ‘behavioural’ kids. My goal was to support these young people to be the best versions of themselves – not let their labels define who they are, but support them to see that they don’t have to be a product of their environment and can tread their own path if they choose to and become successful adults.
Kenton: I have had many different types of employment in my time: warehousing, recruitment consultant, and sales representative to name a few. They never really landed with me, and I was in search of a place where I would feel fulfilled, and I was given the opportunity to try my hand at support work thorough a family member who worked as a Support Worker. When I had my first shift I knew straight away I found my calling! The rest is history.
What advice do you have for someone interested in becoming a Support Worker?
Jess: If you’re interested in working in Youth Support, my advice is to embrace the challenges that come your way, as they will test your resilience and commitment. However, the rewards are profound — you’ll have the privilege of being a positive influence in the lives of young people, within our Out-of-Home Care spaces.
Be open to the opportunities that arise, and approach them head on. MADEC offers ongoing support and development for all staff, ensuring that you have the resources and training needed to succeed. Remember, every challenge is a chance to grow, and every young person you support can benefit from your dedication and passion.
Kenton: Becoming a Disability Support Worker is a fulfilling journey where you can truly make a difference in people’s lives. Start by being compassionate and open to learning from your clients’ unique stories. Building trust is key, so take the time to connect with them. Remember to care for yourself as well, as supporting others can be challenging. Celebrate every achievement, no matter how small, and let your passion for helping others guide you, create positive change!
Interested in a career at MADEC?
Check out the available positions below and apply today to join a passionate, dedicated, and capable team. We encourage people of all ages and abilities to apply, as we are interested in creating more career opportunities for persons with a disability.
