Debra Allen
Forest Hill,QLD
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Acting Team Leader
Disabilities and Aboriginal Torres Strait Islanders Partnership
10.2007 - Current
Direct Service Support Officer
01.2018 - Current
- Participate in the development, implementation, and review of individual plans for people receiving support with a focus on enhancing their quality of life
- Meet duty of care requirements including monitoring and maintaining health and well-being of individuals using established practices
- Comply with organizational requirements including, but not limited to, reporting of service issues, completion of documentation, attendance at training and participation in meetings, emails and Daily Reports are completed and sent to the relevant people in the required timeframes and handover with next DSSO
- Provide direct support and take appropriate action to deal with emerging situations: including:
- Responding to critical incidents including incidents involving serious disruptive behaviour
- Responding directly to emergencies as required
- Providing personal support
- Coach and Mentoring of Residential Care staff in training and in Core practices that have changed
- Facilitate In class sessions Certificate lV – in Disability Work
- Use the Roster Maintenance guidelines in the most cost effective way following all Policies and Procedures when filling shifts and ensure it is documented in all the Roster books as well as in Daily Reports
- Consult and communicate with Service Users, their families and advocates, Team Leaders, Direct Services Team Leaders and departmental staff, Dr’s and all external stakeholders about the person’s individual needs, abilities, preferences and aspirations
- Recognize and uphold the right to privacy, dignity, and confidentiality of the person being supported and their family
- Work within the policies and procedures of the Disabilities Services Act and, ensure that the provisions of the Workplace Health & Safety Act are adhered to
- Support RCOs in reflection of quality of support to the Service Users and provide direction where necessary
- Rostering and filling shifts as required as per Rostering guidelines after hours or when Rosters are unable to do.
Direct Service Team Leader
01.2013 - 01.2022
- Implement, monitor and lead the delivery of accommodation support and respite services to people with an intellectual disability
- Ensure high quality and consistent service delivery in accordance with the Disability Service Standards, Disability Services Act, Manual Task and Safe Work Practices, Service Standards, Least Restrictive Practices, Behavior Support and Behavior Support Strategies the Development Model, Social Role Valorization, Positive Futures and Protective Actions
- Coach, develop, support and provide feedback to Residential Care Officers in their job responsibilities
- Develop staff skills by modelling and teaching the key components of direct care
- E.g
- Medication assistance, Shaving, Personal Hygiene, Positive Behaviour Support and understanding of plan associated with the positive behaviour
- Direct staff to do an effective handover and what is involved and expected of handover
- Manage all files by coaching staff how to be a plan coordinator, ensure all plans are signed and within date
- Support clients at home when staff are required to attend appointments with other clients
- Writing up plans, complex and PRN included, assisting updating information on medication lists and in all files
- Liaises with non-government organizations, Doctors, Specialists E.g., Occupational therapists, Speech therapists, and Families
- Attend NDIS meetings
- Support clients to hospital appointments in Toowoomba and outside of Toowoomba
- Ensure all new practices are implemented by teams and follow up to ensure the staff are uptodate with new practices
- Visit houses regularly to have a presence and check on clients’ well-being
- Read and sign the report book at allocated service center sites, file note to the Team Leader of any issues
- Assess and sign off training to new staff and refresher training
- Present training
- Attend training for the DSTL role
- Run Team Meetings and attend Service Center Meetings, type minutes and monitor tasks are being completed in recommended timeframe
- Team Leader requests of specific/important tasks to be completed
- DSTL – Personal care, driving, support in community for medical, specialists’ appointments, banking, challenging behaviours, psychological stresses, friends/parents – negotiating family concerns
- Defusing/debriefs with staff
- Assist DSSO on weekends with emergency response, guidance and decision- making surrounding roster maintenance
- Knowledge of the AS&RS policy and procedures manual, as often asked questions
- Attend medical appointments with clients and staff when necessary
- Complete assessments with staff on ‘Assistance with medication”
- Provide and seek advice and feedback from Team Leaders on individual and team performance and development needs
- Oversee the maintenance of effective financial, resource management and administrative systems for each workgroup
- Liaised with family members and external organization during the development of Out of Home Activity Support Plans and to address issues as requested through the planning process
- Have had on call duties for Rostering staff and emergency situations that follow the Legislative Policies and Procedures during the weekend and night time
- Consult with Clinical Services Team and Medical Practitioners in the wider community to obtain a holistic lifestyle for our clients.
Direct Services Support Officer
04.2009 - 01.2018
Residential Care Officer
Queensland
10.2007 - 01.2018
- Provide supervision, support and guidance to residential care staff to ensure quality of support to people living in the accommodation services
- Assist service users as required with: Personal care, including personal hygiene and grooming, eating, medication, e.g
- Daily medication as prescribed by their treating medical practitioner, (and in the instance that formal voluntary training has been undertaken, the administering/undertaking of intrusive medical procedures as defined), complete health care and mobility;
- Daily activities, including housekeeping (e.g
- Cleaning areas such as laundry, toilets, and kitchen areas), meal preparation, shopping and transport;
- Household management including tenancy matters, home furnishing and identifying maintenance and repair needs
- Maintain service user’s personal and household finances including, budgeting, paying bills and accounts as prescribed in the Managing Clients Financial Affairs (MCFA) procedure manual
- Provide accurate and timely reports, accurately manage and maintain service user’s accommodation support plans Financial records
- Consult and communicate with service users, their families and advocates, Direct Services Team Leaders, Team Leaders and departmental staff about the person’s individual needs, abilities, preferences and aspirations;
- Identify relevant support networks, agencies and services;
- Design plans to facilitate individual development and promote community inclusion
- Use safe manual handling of people practices when lifting and transferring people with a physical disability
- Provide physical assistance quickly when required;
- Provide first aid assistance as required;
- Employ protective actions in accordance with training provided;
- Identify report and contribute to risk management strategies in relation to workplace health and safety issues
- Communicate effectively with Team Leaders and Direct Services Team Leaders, members of the house team, professional staff, other agencies and the general community and be an effective member of the team;
- Participate in and contribute to team meetings and planning activities and carry out assigned tasks arising from these meetings;
- Contribute to the ongoing monitoring and review of work practices
- Support dual diagnosis Service Users on a 1:1 basis to access the wider community
Acting Support
Linker AO5
06.2012 - 05.2013
- Liaise with potential service providers to establish the availability of services
- Make a formal offer of a service to the individual with a disability or their carer and complete relevant documentation
- Linking people to non- government organisations to access in formal, main stream and funded support within the Disability Services
- Empowering people with Disabilities to make decisions for themselves
- Provide focussed short term responses to individuals in crisis situations
- Support family’s/ carer’s of individuals with disabilities to obtain servicers either informal or formal and specialist services through Support Linking with the wider Non-Government Service Providers and Disability Services to achieve their goals
- Organize emergency accommodation and funding through the appropriate process and within a specific timeframe to ensure individuals with disabilities are not left homeless or without a carers
- Support individuals with complex disability, communication or cultural needs to access and maintain engagement with relevant disability supports
- Conduct Review’s and Reassessments for Individuals and progress to Assessors as their circumstances change and the supports provided to them to ensure the appropriate support is being given through the services
- Case Manage individuals until vacancy’s exist within the Case Management Team to ensure appropriate services have been offered within a relevant timeframe
- Using a person centred approach, discuss outcomes of functional needs assessments, including the individual goals and the recommended services and priority ranking for these services with the individuals/family/carers and work with them to plan and how they will access the service recommendations by the Assessor
- Ensure all communication is clear and transparent while maintaining accurate and up-to-date administration processes while following the guidelines, policies and principles of the department
- Ability to work as a team member and also work individually to meet outcomes within a specific time frame
- Support clients and agencies to manage difficulties that may arise with services provided
Direct Service Team Leader
01.2011 - 01.2012
Regional Nursing Solutions Noosa Agency Nursing, Hospitals and Aged
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Day to day care of people who are in hospital and nursing homes and who are unable to fully look after themselves
- Responding directly to emergencies as required
- Attending to Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Programs as required
- Comply with organizational requirements including, but not limited to, reporting of service issues, completion of documentation, attendance at training and participation in meetings, emails and Daily Reports are completed and sent to the relevant people in the required timeframes and handover with next shift
- Support with the Day outings at Nursing Homes as well as activities at the nursing Home
- Escorting to Medical appointments via taxi
- Recognize and uphold the right to privacy, dignity, and confidentiality of the person being supported and their family
Assistant
RSL Care Nursing Home Alexandra Headland
09.2005 - 10.2007
- Provides support and assistance to individuals on matters of person care including but not limited to bathing, toileting, dressing, eating
- Ensures the safe and appropriate lifting and transferring of individuals
- Provide support and assistance to individuals to enable them to develop their level of competence in
- All aspects of daily life who have High Care needs with Dementia and other illnesses e.g
- Palliative Care for those who are Terminally ill
- Ensures that all matters, individuals are offered the opportunity and encouraged in a positive manner to make their own decisions and choices about their lives and lifestyles
- Ensures at all times that an individual’s dignity and privacy is protected
- Be responsible for upholding the rights of privacy of an individual
- Actively participates in induction, training and education programs as required
- Work with families in a manner that complements their daily routine and lifestyle
- Respect and maintain families rights to privacy and confidentiality at all times
- Computerized Care Plans and progress notes
- Using Hoists full sling and standing pixels and Regency Chairs
- Attending to Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Programs and Diversion Therapy Programs’ as required
- Escorting to Medical appointments outside of the nursing home via taxi
- Supporting Divisional Therapist with day outings
Respite Foster Carer DOCS NSW Tweed Heads
01.1998 - 01.2003
- Respite care for 4 children in Foster Care in Warwick QLD,2 of who are Intellectually Disabled
- Supporting the children at school, sporting activities, holiday stays at my place while Foster Family goes away on holidays and in general life by seeing them every day for 5 years
- Ensures that all matters, individuals are offered the opportunity and encouraged in a positive manner to make their own decisions and choices about their lives and lifestyles
- Meet duty of care requirements including monitoring and maintaining health and well-being of individuals using established practices
- Recognize and uphold the right to privacy, dignity, and confidentiality of the person being supported and their family
Child Carer
Family Day Carer
Warwick, QLD
01.1990 - 01.1994
- With council family Day Care association
- Provide developmentally appropriate educational activities
- Meet duty of care requirements including monitoring and maintaining health and well-being of individuals using established practices
- Provide transport to and from homes and schools as per the relevant regulations
- Provide Care for children with disabilities in Day Care
- Recognize and uphold the right to privacy, dignity, and confidentiality of the person being supported and their family.
Teacher’s Aide
Les Powell School
Sydney, NSW
01.1989 - 01.1989
- For severe and profound children in the school system
- Participate in the development, implementation, and review of individual plans for people receiving support with a focus on enhancing their quality of life
- Meet duty of care requirements including monitoring and maintaining health and well-being of individuals using established practices)
- Basic Living Skills
- Actively participate in activities that promote Fine and Gross Motor Skills, Physiotherapy Programs and Hydrotherapy Programs
- Gather and prepare resources, prioritize tasks and manage time and maintain records
- Work with families in a manner that complements their daily routine and lifestyle
- Work within the policies and procedures of the Disabilities Services Act and, ensure that the provisions of the Workplace Health & Safety Act are adhered to
- Respect and maintain families rights to privacy and confidentiality at all times
- Participate in and contribute to team meetings and planning activities and carry out assigned tasks arising from these meetings;
Residential Care Officer
Area Health Services, Youth and Community Care
Liverpool
01.1987 - 01.1989
- Provide supervision, support and guidance to residential care staff to ensure quality of support to people living in the accommodation services
- Assist service users as required with: Personal care, including personal hygiene and grooming, eating, medication, e.g
- Daily medication as prescribed by their treating medical practitioner, (and in the instance that formal voluntary training has been undertaken, the administering/undertaking of intrusive medical procedures as defined), complete health care and mobility;
- Daily activities, including housekeeping (e.g
- Cleaning areas such as laundry, toilets, and kitchen areas), meal preparation, shopping and transport;
- Household management including tenancy matters, home furnishing and identifying maintenance and repair needs
- Handle service user’s personal and household finances including, budgeting, paying bills and accounts as prescribed in the Managing Clients Financial Affairs (MCFA) procedure manual
- Provide accurate and timely reports, accurately maintain service user’s personal files , financial records, household files and other Departmental records as required;
- Consult and communicate with service users, their families and advocates, Team Leaders, Direct Services Team Leader and departmental staff about the person’s individual needs, abilities, preferences and aspirations;
- Identify relevant support networks, agencies and services and support Service Users to attend and complete designated tasks
- Design plans to facilitate individual development and promote community inclusion
- Use safe manual handling of people practices when lifting and transferring people with a physical disability ;
- Provide physical assistance quickly when required;
- Perform Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and provide first aid assistance as required;
- Employ protective actions in accordance with training provided;
- Identify report and contribute to risk management strategies in relation to workplace health and safety issues
- Communicate effectively with Team Leaders and Direct Services Team Leader, members of the house team, professional staff, other agencies and the general community and be an effective member of the team;
- Participate in and contribute to team meetings and planning activities and carry out assigned tasks arising from these meetings;
- Contribute to the ongoing monitoring and review of work practices
Diploma of
01.2014
- Community Services Co-ordination in
- Support family’s/ carers of people with disabilities to obtain servicers either informal or formal through Support Linking with the wider non-Government service providers
- Organize emergency accommodation and funding through the appropriate process and within a specific timeframe to ensure people with disabilities are not left homeless
- Supported an RCO from a non-English speaking background to success fully gain their Certificate III & Certificate IIII through the use of a Coaching and Mentoring
- Coaching and monitoring RCOS progress during their training program and resolving issues that arise at a local level as their peer
- Provided support to 14 service points with complex health and challenging behaviors as a Direct Services Support Officer
- Creating and implement Support Plans for Services Users I support throughout the AS&RS houses
- Support Service User’s building on skills and abilities through the Active Support process, providing opportunities for personal growth and ensuring current abilities are continued to be utilized
- Support dual diagnosed Services Users on a 1:1 basis to access the wider community
- Participated in the external audit
- Responding to Community Visitors reports to achieve an outcome that resolved an ongoing issue at a service point and maintaining a relationship with the community visitor, which provides an excellent source of feedback on service provision
- Implementing and monitoring strategies in consultation with Team Leaders to resolve non-compliances identified in the external audit and implementing the operation plan to improve service delivery and meet service center and state objectives and timeframes
- Working with children who require high level of medical intervention, within a Respite Service
- When necessary, use initiative and judgment to respond and solve problems to emergency situations as required and provide support to RCO’s in stressful situations by offering the Employee Assistance Program to staff and informing relevant management as needed
- Support Service Users in the Vacancy Management process
- Support families and service users through the NDIS planning and service providers they have engaged to ensure a smooth transition to access to the community and services
- I understand the six levels of the Positive Behaviour Support Plans ; Restricted Access to objects, Physical Restraint , Mechanical Restraint, Seclusion, Containment, Chemical Restraint
- Supporting Clients in hospital to obtain the correct treatment so they can them come home.
Administration Officer
05.2011
- Rosters) A03 Disability Services Short Term
- Organize fortnightly Roster Preferences and fax to all Service Points and when preferences are return to office arrange changes
- Print out new Roster and send to all Service Points
- Fill vacant shifts and shifts when staff are unavailable to complete their set roster
- Process leave forms , sick forms and adjust on the computer roster
- Inform staff when they need to complete internal training via the Roster Preference
- Ensure all staff have the correct amount of hours as per their agreements
Education
Applied First Aid -
2024
Diploma - Community Services Coordination
Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE
2014
Certificate IV in Disability Work - undefined
Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE
2009
Certificate lll in Disability Work - undefined
Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE
08
Certificate lll in Aged Care - undefined
Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE
2005
Justice of the Peace Qualified - undefined
2000
Skills
- With more than 30 years’ experience in the disability sector and have worked in various settings from Severe and Profound Schools, Residential, Family Support and Respite Based, supporting children and adults Currently as a Direct Service Support Officer (DSSO) I support our clients to have a holistic lifestyle I have worked in the Educational System as a Teacher’s Aide for Severe & Profound Disabilities I also have worked as an AIN in the Hospital’s Private and Public and Nursing Home environments Through my practical and theoretical experience, I have developed a sound knowledge of the philosophies, legislation and standards that govern the disability services sector I have been employed with the Department of Seniors Disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnership since 2007 I am aware of the current Disability Act and the current Human Rights Act which have the standards that we all work under and must adhere to
- I have the knowledge , skills and abilities within the frame work for NDIS service delivery I have experience in the positions of Residential Care Officer (RCO), Direct Services Team Leader, Direct Services Support Officer and Support Linker working with families in the wider community to support families to obtain services from Non- Government agencies or through the Department of Disability Services through mainstream and informal support within this Department
- I have supported clients, staff, family members and team leaders in preplanning for the NDIS meeting’s and have attended NDIS meetings when necessary, with coordinators to finalize the NDIS Plan’s It provides the clients and family with choice and control who will provide services and what services will be accessed in the community NDIS allows for competition, flexibility and needs based and is client focused
- I strive to be a good team member by sharing and providing support to co-workers when needed by sharing the work load, being reliable and flexible and an active participant in the team and team meetings If I have an issue I raise concerns directly with the person and discuss the issues and come to an agreement on how to move forward and being aware of confidentiality and the code of conduct practices I understand the grievance process and seek the assistance from the Manager, Team Leaders and Direct Service Team Leaders as required in all matters of work
- CORE STRENTHS
- Innovative problem solver
- Coaching & Mentoring
- Interpersonal skills
- Reliable , responsible and a
- Effective Team Member
- Relate well to people from diverse
- Background
- Facilitate In class sessions Certificate lV in Disability Work within a multicultural environment
- Support families in the community to access services through mainstream and informal support
- Assess and sign off training to new staff and refresher training
- Support families, clients and decision makers by informing them with all the relevant information so they can make an informed decision
- Ensure high quality and consistent service delivery in accordance with the Disability Service Standards, Disability Services Act, Manual Task and Safe Work Practices, Service Standards, Least Restrictive Practices, Behavior Support and Behavior Support Strategies the Development Model, Social Role Valorization , Positive Futures and Protective Actions, Human Rights Act
- Manage files by coaching staff to be a participant coordinator
- Run Team meetings
- Ensure all new practices are implemented by the teams
- Participant focused for an overall wellness and am proactive to ensure their health and general well being has been achieved
Affiliations
- Mental health seminar
- Medication Skill Set
- Behaviour Skill Set
- Suctioning, Oxygen & Pressure Care
- Manual Handling, Hoisting.
- Quality Assurance
- Fire Training
- CPR & Senior First Aid
- Yellow & Blue Card working with children
- Pressure Care Management
- Nutrition Restrictions, Intolerances& Choices
- Disability Service Standards
- Team Leader Training (Direct Service Team Leader)
- Epilepsy, Types Causes First Aid-Emergency Medication Management Midazolam training
- Makaton Workshop
- Restrictive Practices Workshop
- Active Support Training
- Diabetes & Blood Glucose Monitoring? Testing
- Communicable Diseases & Control
- Rostering of Shifts as per Policies and Procedures
- PKU Training
- Interactive ORC Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander course
- Peg Feed, Stoma Care
- Palliative care
- AS&RS Behaviour Support Program
- Getting it Right Social Role Valorisation
- Challenging Behaviour Protective Action Training, Over 30 years of experience working with people who have disabilities in various settings such as residential, respite, family home and severe and profound schools.
Timeline
Direct Service Support Officer
01.2018 - Current
Diploma of
01.2014
Direct Service Team Leader
01.2013 - 01.2022
Acting Support
Linker AO5
06.2012 - 05.2013
Administration Officer
05.2011
Direct Service Team Leader
01.2011 - 01.2012
Direct Services Support Officer
04.2009 - 01.2018
Acting Team Leader
Disabilities and Aboriginal Torres Strait Islanders Partnership
10.2007 - Current
Residential Care Officer
Queensland
10.2007 - 01.2018
Regional Nursing Solutions Noosa Agency Nursing, Hospitals and Aged
01.2007 - 01.2008
Assistant
RSL Care Nursing Home Alexandra Headland
09.2005 - 10.2007
Respite Foster Carer DOCS NSW Tweed Heads
01.1998 - 01.2003
Child Carer
Family Day Carer
01.1990 - 01.1994
Teacher’s Aide
Les Powell School
01.1989 - 01.1989
Residential Care Officer
Area Health Services, Youth and Community Care
01.1987 - 01.1989
Applied First Aid -
Diploma - Community Services Coordination
Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE
Certificate IV in Disability Work - undefined
Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE
Certificate lll in Disability Work - undefined
Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE
Certificate lll in Aged Care - undefined
Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE
Justice of the Peace Qualified - undefined
Similar Profiles
Renee BushellRenee Bushell
Various Positions at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health OrganisationVarious Positions at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Organisation
Jeanette TimorJeanette Timor
Youth Coordinator - Indigenous Youth Team at ATSICHS [Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service]Youth Coordinator - Indigenous Youth Team at ATSICHS [Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service]
Ian PowlesIan Powles
Senior Finance Officer/Stand in Finance Manager at Kambu Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation for HealthSenior Finance Officer/Stand in Finance Manager at Kambu Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Health
Timothy MearaTimothy Meara
Workshop Supervisor at QUBE BULKWorkshop Supervisor at QUBE BULK
Krystal SneddonKrystal Sneddon
Club Attendant at Diggers Services ClubClub Attendant at Diggers Services Club