Brent Dixon

Over the last 8 years I have experienced working closely with young people presenting with complex trauma, and many other diagnosis, being involved in all aspects of care, from on the ground every day support and life skills, to implementing programs, case management, reporting and working with psychologists and other service providers to positively affect change in the lives of the young people that need it most. Throughout my career i have found a deep sense of satisfaction being able to affect the lives of the people I have worked with. I have come to a point in my career where I feel I am able to take the level of impact I have in the community to the next step, and I would love to be able to do it as part of the Flourish Community.

Hi there, my name is Brent Dixon, and I am writing to you in hopes of securing a job with the Flourish Community. I aim to explain why I think I would be the perfect candidate to join your team. Firstly, a little about my background.

Over the last 8 years I have been involved in the care community. Starting off as a Support/Youth Worker in 2015 with Aruma (formerly House With No Steps) I started to work with at risk youth. I quickly found that my passion was working with children with high needs and complex trauma. During my time at Aruma, I had the opportunity to work with some of the most complex and high-risk young people in the Toowoomba region. Working with these complex young people for so long gave me first-hand experience in being part of the lives of children that require a large support team and the highest degree of care. As well as being part of a residential care model, and having to report to Child Safety, and abide by Child Safety’s standards of care. 

Throughout my time at Aruma I was able to learn how to build relationships effectively with children dealing with complex trauma and different diagnosis, including Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FASD), ADHD, ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder), RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder), Bipolar Disorder (BPD), PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Schizophrenia, Down Syndrome and children with intellectual and physical disabilities. After the first year of working with these children, specifically one family, I found that I needed to expand my knowledge on the conditions the young people were presenting with, which led me to delve into the inner workings of the brains of these young people and what motivated their behavior. I started by working closely with psychologists from Evolve Therapeutic Services, and over time, as an advocate for the children I was working with, found other services that could help. These services include, Headspace, Childrens Youth and Mental Health Services (CHYMS) Equine Therapy Providers, Youth Justice, Mercy, PCYC, Downs Group Training as well as several other services, including gyms and alternative educational facilities. 

With exposure to all of these different services and a passion for knowledge I naturally started to take a leading roll in case management for the young person I was working with. My duties as a support worker included daily shift notes, reporting of incidents to child safety, and maintaining an up-to-date case file of the young person. This included filing of documents and reports from different services, being involved in stakeholder meetings, court proceedings and Youth Justice orders. Managing relationships with schools and other educational facilities, maintaining appointment diaries, transporting young people to and from other services, as well as teaching social, emotional and life skills. Through all of my learnings, I found that leading by example was the most effective way to help these young people achieve their goals. 

In 2019 I became an employee of Camp Cooby Outdoor Education Centre. I started learning to manage large groups of young people and be involved in 3 day programs, having to mentor and teach children in a leadership position. As I was working, it was noticed by my employer that I had skills that were useful managing children with difficult behaviors. From there I was asked to be a part of different programs run by Tanya Hall, (Owner/Director of Camp Cooby and Mindware Psychology.) This allowed me to participate in programs designed specifically for children with high needs. These programs include small 3 day camps that engage young people with ASD, ADHD and complex trauma known as MAP Camps. These camps focus on the social and emotional wellbeing of young people, based on ACT in the outdoors model. Having up to 12 young people at a time participate in camps, working hand in hand with other outdoor educators and a team of psychologists to take a therapeutic approach to leading 

these young people in taking on challenging scenarios and building confidence in all areas, including physical capabilities and fine motor skills, emotional regulation tools and teamwork initiatives. 

Another example, a 6- 12 month program I ran, funded by the Community Policing Board and Youth Justice. In this program we were able to receive referrals from YJ, that included 5 of the most at-risk families in the Toowoomba region, including young people still in youth detention. The aim of this program is to help reduce youth offending rates in the Darling Downs. The program is based around the principals of Bush Adventure Therapy. Using the outdoors as a means to help deliver therapeutic intervention in a non-clinical setting. Which has shown positive results not only in studies, but in practical life settings as well. The interventions include myself and a student psychologist, working under the supervision of a trained psychologist to do intakes and psychological and emotional assessments. These assessments and mentoring conversation can be done by visiting the homes of the young people and their families, or meeting in a place of their choosing in nature or in a clinic. The purpose is to identify needs, diagnose young people if they need it, educate their immediate support group on how to manage the difficult situations that may arise, and to help build a long term supporting community around the young people to help keep them safe and accountable. This program includes reporting to funding bodies, regular meetings with young people and their families, and a structured approach to intervention using Bush Adventure Therapy Principles.

In summary, I believe that I am placed in a position where I have positive existing relationships with many community services, including Youth Justice, Child Safety and local members that would be an asset to the Flourish Community. This, as well as a working knowledge of the policies, procedures and guidelines that we as community leaders are expected to adhere to. Along with an in depth knowledge of the situations and behaviours that can present in young people at risk, or young people with disabilities. I believe that I am well rounded and experienced, and really believe that I would bring a fresh and positive energy to the Flourish Community. Someone who is willing to travel, and do what is needed.

Thank you for taking the time to read my cover letter. I look forward to hearing from the Flourish team. 

Sincerely,  

 Brent Dixon.

Tanya Hall

Owner/Director Camp Cooby and Mindware Psychology.

Ph: 0459 224 459

E-Mail, tanya.hall@mindwarepsychology.com.au

Isabella Burke

Owner/Manager Ortem Cafe

Ph: 0417329501

E-mail, isabella@ortem.com.au