Support Worker Coordinator Bernad, is turning a lived experience into purpose

I grew up in what is considered a poor part of Nairobi, in Kenya. I was lucky to have youth workers who provided me inspiration to raise beyond some of the negative things that some of my peers were involved in.

My youth worker was able to get me and those they were able to reach to focus on talents as a way out of our predicament. By the time I was finishing high school, I would like to think I was an accomplished traditional dancer, with regular performances at the tourist hotels in Kenya. I believe my work with children and young people is away for me to repay for the generosity I received as a teen from youth workers and mentors.

My family relocated to Perth, after living up north in Broome for six years. When I got to Perth, I was looking for an organisation where I could continue working with children and young people as I have done for most of my working life.

Working with children and young people is something that I take seriously as I have personal experience of the impact that mentors/youth worker/support workers can have in a young person’s life.

A day in the life of a Support Worker Coordinator

My day starts with a quick desk job – checking and responding to emails and priorities for the day. I then respond to any Critical Incidents that need my attention.

I reserve the mid mornings for meetings with families and service providers to discuss implementation of plans and checking in that we were able to provide the services we have been contracted to provide.

I keep afternoons for live supervision of staff. Live supervisions are an opportunity for me to work directly with the participants, while also demonstrating some of the skills we can utilise to support participants to meet their goals. During these live supervisions, I am also able to connect with the support workers and acknowledge the work they are doing.

We are always looking for passionate Support Workers to join the team and some days I deliver presentations at sit down events in search of our next Key Assets.

What to expect from a career at Key Assets

I have found Key Assets to be a great organisation, that is very open and inclusive. An organisation that enables people like me to realise their passions – I have had so much support for management in thinking through innovative ways of delivering programs.

Are you excited by the opportunity to make a positive impact every day?