“He was ringing me all the time, constantly… I guess checking I was still around, maybe because of all the changes,” said Cathy. “It was a little bit unstable for him. Things weren’t happening the way he thought they would be… with different support workers, things would change.”

Tim was previously a participant at Avenue Frenchs Forest and was working with a Sydney-based behaviour support practitioner; however, following his relocation to Newcastle, in-person observation and support were no longer possible.

The turning point

Plus Behaviour Support practitioner, Renee, was working in the Avenue Newcastle hub at the time and after observing Tim, she offered her support to the family.

“Renee was there observing what was happening, and she spoke with Tim’s existing behaviour support practitioner before letting me know she was there and happy to work with Tim, as she was based at the hub and could see a way forward to help him,” said Cathy.

For Tim and his family, Renee’s support became a turning point, marking the beginning of a period of greater stability, consistency, and calm.

“When Renee came on board, things started to settle because she was screening who was working with him, supporting him, and ensuring consistent people were around. With Renee and the team, Tim knew where he was and felt safe. That became his safe place.”

In addition to providing behaviour support, Renee was also instrumental in building a team that could understand Tim’s needs and work well with the family.

“Renee has rallied around us and organised the team meetings with me, making sure we’re all on the same page and following the same plan forward for Tim. They call themselves Team Tim,” said Cathy.

Why Renee’s support worked

While Tim was previously engaged with a behaviour support practitioner, the difference in Renee’s support is a combination of proximity and her commitment to person-centred support.

Her approach to behaviour support is hands-on, and with a background in support work, she understands the importance of getting to know each person in context and how they experience and navigate their daily lives across different environments. 

“She came to our house a couple of times and has seen him here, seen his bedroom and what he does at home. He was happy with that and quite settled – he feels confident around her. Renee’s fabulous, always inclusive of what’s going on,” said Cathy.

The Impact on Tim’s Wellbeing

With Renee’s support in place, came a greater sense of calm and improved overall wellbeing for Tim.

“The constant ringing me up during the day – it ceased. It’s only when he gets alarmed or heightened by something now. I’ve noticed everything has quietened down.”

Alongside Renee’s support, Tim’s work at Avenue is also contributing to a greater quality of life. 

“He feels like he’s part of Avenue. He does different jobs – he delivers the mail, cleans the tables, feeds the fish and does the dusting… he likes everything orderly. He feels more confident and he has purpose there.”

Tim has come ahead in leaps and bounds since his initial move to Newcastle and he’s not the only one to benefit. His family has also experienced a greater sense of stability and confidence, knowing that Tim is settled, happy, and fulfilled.

“I’m not on tenterhooks with the phone calls anymore. I can plan and feel confident in my day, whether it’s appointments or going to hydrotherapy, without constantly worrying about Tim,” said Cathy.

“Everything’s just working out so well for him.”

If your person could benefit from person-centred positive behaviour support, please head to https://plusdisability.com.au/plus-clinical/