Gellibrand has supported people with high support needs for more than 40 years. We have learnt – and we continue to learn – much from clients and families about how to provide these supports most effectively.
A person-centred approach is vital in supporting people with a disability – and especially those with high support needs. Gellibrand respects and encourages people’s choices, which means we aim to empower those with high support needs to have control over their lives.
We have meaningful conversations with individuals and their families to co-develop personalised care plans with them that reflect their life goals.
“We chose Gellibrand because we knew they were good at high support,” said Claudia Dale, whose foster children, Helen and Patrick, are long-term Gellibrand clients. “Patrick was here first and they were very helpful in finding us a place quickly for Helen when we needed one.”
Bernie Ross’s daughter Michaela has been a Gellibrand client for more than a decade. Bernie said that if she has ideas for Michaela’s support, she feels confident she can discuss them with Gellibrand.
“I have always found I have been listened to,” she said. “They don’t say this is what Gellibrand does, rather they listen to what I want for Michaela and try to implement it.”
Team members and high support needs
People with high support needs and their families expect team members to be compassionate and equipped with the necessary skills. We aim to ensure our team members involved with high supports are strong communicators, including being competent in alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) methods.
“Helen doesn’t have hands and doesn’t talk, which makes things challenging,” Claudia said. “But Gellibrand have worked out how to read what is happening for her.”
Gellibrand also conducts competency and sensitivity training, while teaching crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies.
“When I visit Helen she gets very emotional and the Gellibrand team members are very good and understand that,” Claudia said.
Gellibrand also works to ensure team members understand clients’ complex medical needs and mental health/emotional support needs. We work closely with other healthcare providers to ensure individuals with high support needs receive regular health check-ups and preventative health care.
“Gellibrand’s communication is very quick if there are health concerns for Helen,” Claudia said, “and that’s very important to me.”
Margaret Given, Gellibrand’s Customer Wellbeing Manager, said the organisation prioritises all clients’ needs, including their emotional needs. She said this can be “incredibly challenging with people with high support needs” but not impossible.
“It just means we have to listen harder and be more connected, to ensure we are picking up the right messages,” she said. “We are always ready with whatever supports are required and happily engage specialists where needed. Sometimes a multi-disciplinary approach is best. Of course, often the best approach for meeting emotional needs is just to spend time with others, laughing and engaging, so we facilitate that whenever we can.”
Bernie said she is pleased that Gellibrand makes it possible for Michaela to go to functions.
“It’s great that she can participate and be with her peers,” she said.
Seeking to support independence
Gellibrand recognises that not all clients with high support needs can attain the same levels of independence. Bernie said Gellibrand offers Michaela as much independence as is reasonable, while taking full account of her personal safety.
“They definitely don’t try to let her be independent beyond her capabilities,” she said.
Margaret Given said Gellibrand encourages high support needs clients and their families to exercise their choice and control when it comes to seeking independence.
“Wherever it is appropriate – and it differs for every person – we support clients to engage in the community through events, exercise, employment, and education. All of these can build clients’ self-esteem and foster a sense of belonging,” she said.
Technology is always evolving for clients with high support needs, so Gellibrand also seeks to assist clients and families to try whatever could be helpful.
“There are many communication devices available, along with smart home systems, virtual therapy sessions, wearable health-monitoring devices, and many other new technologies,” Margaret said. “We do all we can to support clients to get what they believe will be of the most use to them.”
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