Nick has recently stepped in to the role of Care Leader and has oversight of our Supported Independent Living Services across Metro South. Nick has a focus on growing our accommodation profile to provide additional Supported Independent Living services to our participants.
Open Minds has been offering Supported Independent living services for many years now, formally known as Residential Support Services. This has enabled our participants greater independence as they live in their own home, with access to 24/7 support services for their everyday needs.
Nick said: “When people living with mental illness realize that they can live independently, whilst also having access to the support they need, when they want it, this can be really life-changing for them.
“I’m going to be focusing on developing and expanding our service to enable more people with mental illness and disabilities to come to us when they’ve been allocated Supported Independent Living funding as part of their ‘Core Supports’ within their NDIS plans.”
Nick has been with Open Minds since the start of 2018, beginning his journey as a Support Worker, progressing to a Senior Support Worker and now is Care Leader; responsible for 36 employees and 29 service participants.
In addition to his responsibilities of providing quality care to his clients, Nick is also involved with recruitment, shift management, staff recruitment and management, roster maintenance and stakeholder engagement.
Nick is hands-on in his role, meeting with clients and staff on a daily basis, to triage their needs and requests as they come through.
A typical day in Nick’s role might also involve meeting with the Open Minds clinical team, families, potential new residential partners, Hospital Case Managers, the Public Guardian and the Public Trustee.
Nick has worked within the Human Services Sector for over 10 years; during which time he gained experience in both public and private settings across the Disability, Aged Care, Youth and Mental Health Services, in various positions.
Nick has completed a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Queensland.
Nick’s passion for working in the mental health sector stems from a strong urge to protect and advocate for the vulnerable and marginalised in our society.
Nick said: “All of my colleagues are supportive individuals who contribute to a bright and happy day at work, no matter what office or what house I am visiting.
“I work with some of the most positive people, who have incredibly open minds and wonderfully big hearts; and working with these people to support our clients is a privilege.
“Because Open Minds has been working with the vulnerable and historically marginalised in society for over 100 years, to be part of that ongoing and growing legacy is an honour.”
If you want to find out about Supported Independent Living options, give our friendly enquiries team a call today on 1300 673 664.
If you’re interested in working at Open Minds, find out about career options here.