Specialist Support

Many people have complex medical and social needs, which require professional individualised assistance.

Our Specialist Support team works in liaison with our other services to develop plans to suit specialist issues emerging for an individual. This may include assessment of the person and the environmental factors affecting them.

Our specialists also deliver training to generalist support staff, upgrading their skills and making their work with individuals more focused on habilitation.    

Specialist Support includes the following:

• Clinical and Registered Nurses
  
  Achieve Australia engages the services of a professional Clinical Nurse Consultant, whose role it is to provide advice and input towards cases of critical or complex health. The Clinical Nurse Consultant monitors the individual health plans of people supported by Achieve Australia Accommodation and Community Living.
  
  Registered Nurses provide support and advice in relation to complex medical and health needs. They assist with the provision and assessment of a range of rehabilitative activities and are integral in the development and maintenance of Comprehensive Health Care Plans (CHAPs) for people supported by Achieve Australia Accommodation and Community Living.
  
  
• Behaviour Support
  
  The Behaviour Support Specialist provides advice, specialist behaviour intervention plans and training. They also work with staff, families and carers to support positive behavioural change.
  
  Behavioural management methods and the least restrictive behaviour support strategies are identified for people we support who have complex behavioural needs. Implementation and progress are tracked in liaison with their Service Manager.
  
  
• Communication Skills
  
  The Communication Skills Specialist works with the Service Managers to identify and assess the individual communication needs of people supported and ensure these are being addressed in their Individual Plans. This process is underpinned by the Support Intensity Scale (SIS) assessment and is completed by the person supported. The person’s speech, ability to swallow and auditory abilities are assessed and external referrals are made if required.
  
  
• Social Networking
  
  The Social Networking model developed by Achieve Australia is based on the principles of Social Role Valorization. Many valued relationships have been formed as the result of successful networking, which has enabled people to experience a rich and full life.
  
  The embedding of people in community life is a process that builds one day upon another. The positive outcomes of friendship with their non-disabled peers include improved social skills, conversation and fostering of self expression. A wider support network gives a sense of belonging and of being valued.

Service Access

To access these services, you must already be supported within an Achieve Australia service or be transitioning to a service within Achieve Australia.  Access is by internal referral through Service Managers.

For more information about these services, contact us on 02 9034 1600 or complete our online feedback form.

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