My Journey

Or a brief history of Disability Services in Queenlsland

My name is Ray Lihou, I founded NQ Enable in 2017 as a NDIS Provider.

'My Journey' began over 30 years ago, when I volunteered at a group home supporting people with disabilities with personal care and meals. It was a government run group home, affectionately referred to as 'the Villas'. Within a few months I was offered a job as a Residential Care Officer, which was then part of the Department of Health - Mental Retardation Unit.

Today, that doesn't sound politically correct, but it was how people with disabilities were thought of in society at that time. The next 30 years saw many significant changes in disability care not only in Queensland, but also across Australia and around the world. Our understanding of the rights and dignity of people with disabilities grew, and so too did how we practiced caring.

Residential Care in the 80's provided health and wellbeing care to people with disabilities, but rarely met the social and developmental needs of clients to achieve any meaningful goals. That's not to say we didn't try, but the sector was in its infancy, and we had so much too learn.

Gradually public funding increased and services, like community access and therapy services became more accessible and disability specialised. Yet, many people still lived with their families, or were relinquished into the care of the state. Only a few received any additional support, with access to Government funded services limited to occasional respite.

By the early 90's, people started getting access to Government funded Programs. Early childhood services and some adult therapy services began to be offered. Also, charitable organisations started receiving funding to provide more supports and services.

During these early years, my skills and knowledge had increased and I was working with people moving out of institutions into the community. Many with highly complex needs.

Although disability care had come a long way for most people it was still a 'care for' model of existence, with little choice about how services were delivered. Ideas of Social Role Valorisation and Person Centred Planning were promoted, but rarely did they translate into innovative care or support services. Families advocated for change, and the system responded eventually.

I knew I needed to do, to become involved in the changes. I wanted to know I was making a real difference in peoples lives. I also knew I could only change the system from within.

Maya Angelou said,'If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.' So, in 1996 I enrolled at Queensland University of Technology in a Bachelor of Social Sciences - Human Services course.

My three years in University were stimulating, exciting and challenging. I relished learning about human rights, social policy, psychology and human development. Which connected my lived experience to knowledge and theory so I could work within ethical and practice frameworks. Learned skills like counselling and case work are the tools I use every day.

By the time I graduated the Queensland's disability sector had grown with exciting new funding programs which aspired to mould services and build capacity for people to live as valued members of their community. Disability Services Queensland had become its own department, with its own policies and guidelines on how care and services were delivered to people.

One of these new programs was the Family Support Program and soon after graduating I joined the FSP team as a Facilitator. The work was fulfilling, providing case management to families and there was some discretionary funds we could use to make a difference. Supports were flexible and intended to help the family member with disabilities to remain at home. Although we could be innovative, it limited peoples choice of moving out and living independently.

By 2014, the Family Support Program had transitioned into Case Management. I still had a few of my FSP families, but many transitioned out of the program into other supports, and some even found greater independence. I started getting new clients, with more complex disabilities and life issues, some considered as being a social risk and almost all had no informal supports. Again it was time to learn new skills. It was classic case management, intensely person centred engaging across multiple government agencies and therapy services.

It was very intense and stimulating work, but I still had a sense of frustration from working within the limitations of a government system. I needed something new, something which allowed the flexibility to do the work I enjoyed and where I could make a difference.

It wasn't until 2016, when Townsville & North Queensland began transitioning to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, that fate and an opportunity presented itself to do something new.

By November 2016, Disability Service was really starting to wind down, and many people began to transition into the NDIS world.

As more information began to become available I could see the Disability Sector would grow and there would be work available away from government. That's when I started really considering Specialist Support Coordination as my new career. The more I read, the more I was convinced that Supports Coordination was the right fit with my skills and knowledge, and it would challenge me.

The final decision was whether I would work for another organisation. This was just not appealing, especially after being an employee for so long. And then I would have to learn to 'fit in' with a whole new way of doing things.

So, after years of frustration with organisational limitations and complaining about a system that wasn't going to change, it was time to put my words into action, and set-up my own practice.

For me, Private Practice was something other people did, and was scary. All I could see were 'barriers', financial risks, having to learning new skills and 'would I get the clients'?

A friend reminded me: 'everything in life is a risk so enjoy the journey and give it a go!'

All too soon I was out of my comfort zone, discovering a whole new set of skills and challenges. It took a while to get everything in place, but it happened. All registered and business like, and so this is were I can tell you about were the name came from.

Firstly, the 'NQ' is the easiest part, because for the last 12 years I have lived and worked in North Queensland. I have become a local, a part of your community, and I know some of the challenges and advantages of living here.

The second part of the name is 'Enable' which the Webster dictionary literally defines as to 'give (someone) the authority or means to do something' and to 'make it possible for things to happen.' This for me means 'Enable' is about how I'd prefer to work with you.

To work beside you in a partnership to 'enable' you to reach your goals.

To 'enable' you to find your own responses to challenges and barriers that hold you back.

To 'enable' you to be the independent and valued person you've always desired.

To 'enable' you to take the authority in your life to live the good life of your dreams.

So for people with disabilities living in North Queensland I am here to Enable your 'good life'

My Roles

I've been a parent, employee, employer, trainer, student, carer, and adventurer among other roles.

This means I've learnt to adapt knowledge & skills in these roles as well as value the experiences both good or bad.

My Strengths are: being compassionate, tenacious, empathetic, honest, understanding, playful and open minded.

These are mostly positive, while others have been both a strength and a challenge to me at different times.

My Values are social justice, equality, equity, tolerance and advocacy. Not just for things that are important to me but also for those I have support. We don't always have to agree, just so long as we respect that each person is different.

Service Advisor

(Assessor & Linker)

July 2015 - February 2017

Providing support to people with disabilities to access Queensland Government Disability Services supports.

The role involves responding to enquiries and providing information on service options, conducting interview based eligibility and needs assessments. Provides people with a disabilities, their family, carer or guardian with information to assist access to informal, mainstream and specialist disability services appropriate to achieve their goals.

Achievements:

Assisting people with complex needs to engage with services, develop positive life strategies and to transition into independence. Often these individuals had a history of family breakdown, and involvement with government statutory agencies.

Case Manager

July 2013 to June 2015

Provided case management support to people with disabilities, families and carers, especially with complex needs to facilitate the provision of supports and service to meet identified goals.

Achievements:

Establishing Case Management services in Mount Isa; including community education and networking.
Working with high and complex clients with dual diagnosis and/or exiting the care of the state.
Worked with stakeholders including: Public Guardian, Mental Health, Clinical Services, Housing, Child Safety, and Justice services, as well as many nongovernment Service Provider and agencies.
Assessing risk and manage critical incidence for clients with socially maladaptive behaviours.

Family Support Facilitator

April 2002 - June 2013

The Family Support Program was a challenging role as I worked in partnership with people with a disability, their family and carers to design, as well as manage the discretionary funding allocated to support the person.
The role description read: 'coordinate and monitor the delivery of services to promote personal lifestyle and goals to enhance quality of life. Conduct interviews or incidental counselling with parents to address the complex parenting issues for their child/ren and family dynamics. Determine whether clients should be referred to other specialist services. Developed individualised person centred plans that address the disability specific needs of the person and their family; which included the management of discretionary funds allocated to the person. Provide support to the family to negotiate supports and service with other government and non-government agencies.'
The best part was working directly with people and seeing a change for the better.

Disability Support Worker

March 1988 - June 2001

In this role I provided personal, physical and emotional support to people with disabilities to meet their daily living goals; including showering, dressing and eating, as well as going on outings and other social activities. The level of assistance was always different and dependant on the ability and health of the clients.
I worked in group homes as well as individuals transitioning to independence from institutional care. These were some of the most rewarding times of my career.
During this time I was involved in major changes in Disability Care in Queensland as the service moved from a medical model to developmental, from institutional care to Person Centred planning, and many other changes that lead to today.

Professional information

1988 - Present

Bachelor of Social Sciences - Human Services

Queensland University of Technology,

Carseldine campus, Brisbane

Certificate III in Workplace Training & Assessment

Carson Australasia, Brisbane

Certificate III in Disability Care

TAFE Queensland, Brisbane

Registration with

Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA)

Membership Number LIHO12210

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Provider Number 40550014252

Other Career Highlights

1988 - Present

While working as a Residential Care Officer, with Disability Services I had a hunger for discovering and learning new things. These are some of the opportunities that fed that hunger:

Disability Services Deinstitutionalisation Project - (1997 - 2001) As a 'Key Worker' role I coordinated a team to support people with disabilities moving from Challinor Mental Health Centre into the community. These people had been residing in the Institution since birth, and in many cases had little knowledge or experience of the culture, rules or mores of the general community. As team leader I assisted staff to provide supports which respected the persons institutionalised culture while moulding skills and behaviour to increase Socially Valued place in the community.

Pre-Graduations Placement was a big year, I had access to a lot of practical learning which I still carry with me.

Mental Health Community Research Project - (1998 - 1999) My University placement was to conduct a community needs assessment to identify gaps in services to people with a mental health diagnosis living on the Redcliffe Peninsular. The research findings lead to the first Mental Health Peer Support Group in the region that was overseen by professional and community volunteers, as well as by the recipients themselves. The research was commissioned by the Redcliffe City Council, Redcliffe Bribie Caboolture Division Of General Practice Association, and Anglicare Community Services, and supported by the local Mental Health Services.

Parent Aide Program - (1999 - 2001) Assisting families at risk of Child Safety intervention to improve parenting skills and manage crises. This was a volunteer role linked to the Domestic Violence Recovery team at the Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, and provided through the Redcliffe Community Centre. I provided support to parents through a mentoring, training and counselling model, and to children by accessing Play Therapy to address trauma and Grief and Loss issues.

Domestic Violence Offenders Recovery Program - (1998): As the Group Facilitator I offered participants a safe and respectful space to undertake guided discussions to recognise the impact of violent behaviours on their partners, family, and children as well on themselves.

Post Graduation opened more doors that lead to changes of thinking and ever more learning.

My Journey: About