The 'person centred approach' is a widely used term, but do we truly understand what it means for an individual with a disability? Can it be put into practice without hesitation? In this blog post, I'd like to explain what it means to me, and how it has taken shape in my life.

For me, a person centred approach means that I can live my life with the support I need, and therefore my disability is able to have as little an impact on my life as is physically possible. For example, if I want to attend that last minute social occasion, it’s possible, because I have a team of support workers behind me who are responsive to my needs.

I am by no means suggesting though, that to be considered person centred, you have to be able to do things at the last minute. To put person centred thinking into action you simply have to be responsive to what a person would like to do.

Some people with a disability will have clear ideas and plans for what he/she would like to do. Other people will need facilitation with the decision-making process.

The key is responding to the kind of support the individual needs and providing support that is flexible in nature and meaningful for them.

For example, you might think the person you are supporting would enjoy shopping but in reality, they might actually gain more satisfaction by doing some voluntary work in the community. You might be thinking of person centred thinking as something you have to implement, but instead you could try to see it as something we all do every day, as part of life.

We make plans for the weekend, plans for life and for what we hope to achieve. The only difference for people with a disability is that they have traditionally not been given as much choice, power and control over their OWN lives. I can honestly say that, for me, person centred thinking is not just a concept, it’s the way I live my life.

It continues to ensure that I have a valued role in my community. Most importantly though, it enables me to think about and take advantage of voluntary, paid and social opportunities instead of focusing on the barriers that life with a disability can present.

A person centred approach is in essence where we are moving to as a society. I am aware from presentations I have given and/or conferences I have attended that, for some people, there continues to be apprehension about adopting this new approach.

Some may even perceive it to be a waste of time, but I can only encourage you to view the person centred approach as a lifestyle choice we all have the right to make, rather than a ‘new’ practice that needs to be implemented into service delivery for people with a disability.

I'd love to hear what you think about the person centred approach? What are your experiences?

Many of us are drawn to the not-for-profit sector because we are looking for a more rewarding job, but moving from a corporate role to a position in the not-for-profit sector can be a big change.

For career changers this means working with a very different business model and the possible new reality of a higher staff turnover, less resources and lower wages. These kind of changes can be somewhat of a culture shock as working for a not-for-profit can involve as much hard work and as many challenges as a corporate role.

Why make the change?

There are rewards for your hard work - showing dedication in your role will help you climb the not so corporate ladder and changing sectors does not always mean changing role types.

Not-for-profit organisations need staff in administration, accounting, marketing, transport and facilities just like any other business. Find out more about role types in disability and community care in The sector's roles.

A definite perk of the not-for-profit sector is working with people who want to achieve common social goals, not financial. This can mean surrounding yourself with people who are passionate about why they do what they do, and if you’re enjoying your role type, but not the business culture in which you work, this can be a welcome change.

While decreased wages are a reality of sector hopping, salary sacrifice is a definite perk. To read more about salary sacrificing visit AccessPay.

Not-for-profit organisations will also typically be more flexible in their approach to your day-to-day routine, though this often comes with more responsibility too.

Volunteering may be a good first step

If you’re thinking about making a bigger change and stepping into a completely different role type, volunteering can give you an insider's view and will often get your foot in the door. Remember though that your experience contributing unpaid work will be different to contributing your time as a paid employee.

When making applications for paid roles, employers like to see some experience within not-for-profit organisations. Be sure to mention any volunteering or pro bono experience you have had. For example, you may have managed the accounts of a not-for-profit business in a previous corporate finance role.

Through your volunteering or pro bono work your potential employer will value your sense of work culture that is their reality.

Find out if you are right for the disability and community care sector

If you’re looking for a new and rewarding challenge but aren’t entirely sure if the disability and community care sector is for you and your career choice, why not take our Career Quiz - it’s a fun and easy way to see if you’re the right person for the sector.

Chris' story - a career changer

Chris is the Operations Manager at Illawarra Vocational Services and is a good example of a career changer who has moved from the corporate sector to the disability and community care sector.

"For 7 years I travelled from Wollongong to Sydney for my job. On a good day it took me 1 hour and 20 minutes to get through the 91 sets of traffic lights, but these days it takes me 2 minutes and two sets of lights to get to work!

"I was working in a marketing role for a large company in Sydney and was being paid well - but I paid for it. My job took up a lot of my time and I sacrificed a lot. I had a young family and was looking to change careers paths. Fortunately, just at the right time, I saw an ad in the local paper for my current job."

Read Chris' full story on the caecareers website.

Imagine, if you can, working in a job that you truly enjoy. I do.

I am the Business Development Manager at The Disability Trust, a large disability services organisation providing services from Southern Sydney to Bega on the NSW Southern Coast.

My role involves a mind boggling variety of tasks and is never dull. This week I attended the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) rally in Sydney, organised by the Every Australian Counts team.

Around 10,000 people attended rallies around Australia, including the Sydney rally, to let the nation know we need to make the NDIS happen soon - because we wanted it yesterday!

I started the day at 7.30am in Kiama, where a cold breeze blew just a little too brisk. I met up with Gareth Ward, the NSW State Member for Kiama, who was there to see off the bus to the Sydney rally. A quick photo for the local paper later, we were on the bus and on our way.

During the first leg of our journey, we picked up a group of of people and made our official first stop at Kembla Grange Racecourse for a local Illawarra rally.

Around 100 people, including a few more local politicians and a horde of media, were there to show their support for the NDIS. Our next stop was Sydney.

The rally was incredible. Everyone was shouting and getting right into the spirit of the event. I saw one man who was so excited he couldn’t sit in his seat. I spoke to him later and he has a son with down syndrome. He sees the NDIS as something that can really give his 12 year old son, and his son’s friends, the opportunity for a life he couldn’t previously imagine.

There were a number of rousing speakers including Ricky Stuart, who has a daughter with a disability, and PM Julia Gillard, who announced the NIDS will commence next year. Julia Gillard stayed and mixed with the crowd for a while after the event.

In something that can happen only in Australia, I was able to take photos of a few of the guys from the Wollongong Self Advocacy group with the Prime Minister. It was the highlight of their year, with one of them already ordering copies of the photo to give to friends.

From cold Kiama to 'photo shoots' with the Prime Minister, to being present when the NDIS was actually announced, and to hearing the excited stories on the ride home,

It was just another day at the office. 

Bridges for Learning, an organisation facilitating early assistance with child development, is seeking a Part Time Speech Pathologist to work in Bowral.

The successful applicant will work with a team of therapists, specialist teachers and assistants to provide transdisciplinary programs that combine therapeutic, developmental and educational outcomes for young children with an autism spectrum disorder.

The successful applicant will have relevant qualifications qualifications in speech pathology and will be eligible for membership of the Speech Pathology Association of Australia.

Closing date: 15 May 2012

Find out more about this speech pathologist job with Bridges for Learning or search for more jobs in early childhood sector.

 

 

Hi, my name is Mel. I have cerebral palsy, otherwise known as CP. My parents have always said that I should never let my disability be the reason for not living life to the full. So, I like to travel, spend time with friends, volunteer and engage in paid disability awareness work, just to name a few things.

When I was little, my parents strived to create a 'normal' life for me regardless of my disability. The legacy of their efforts has been that I have expectations of myself to be someone who contributes meaningfully to the society that I live in.

I currently do disability awareness presentations for organisations. I also mentor a person with mental health challenges and have welfare based qualifications, which I will have the opportunity to further at uni in the near future.

My love of travel has also seen me be able to enjoy the ballet of Sleeping Beauty at Covent Garden in London in October 2011. A real highlight for me.

My support needs are significant, meaning that I need the assistance of a family member or support worker to complete most tasks of daily living.

'Pity parties' sometimes happen to me, just like they do to anyone, but mostly I focus on my passion which is creating a world of more opportunity for choice, dignity and the 'good life' for people who have a disability.

When I started using a self-managed funding support option in November 2009, I got a true sense of what freedom actually can mean for someone who has a disability.

Having direct contact with workers, as I do, allows more flexibility for me which  enables more fluidity in my community participation, and makes me feel that I’m not defined by my disability.

My hope is that through reading my blog entries, you will gain more insight into what it is like to live with a disability. You might also be motivated to consider getting a job in the disability sector or to just simply understand disability from a first-hand perspective.

carecareers plays an integral part in supporting people with a disability to access support workers and other professionals in the sector, who see the people they are providing assistance to as valuable contributing members of the community.     

I hope that you will find my blog posts informative, perception-challenging and enjoyable.

I’ll be at the Sydney rally today too for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It’s an important step to make the NDIS a reality. I hope to see you there.