Image: Members of the OAK Duke of Edinburgh team accepting their award with OAK Possability Board Deputy Chairman Brian Scullin.
As an organisation, we are committed to providing the best services possible. To achieve this we need to continually seek out and implement best practice in the sector. We also want to encourage a culture of excellence and innovation for our employees, empowering them to develop their own expertise and practices that will benefit our clients, supported employees and the broader community.
This year, we received many high calibre nominations in the categories of Innovation and Excellence.
Innovation Awards
Innovation for OAK Possability means the development of a new practice or initiative that enables clients to develop their full potential, with opportunities to improve independence, social connection and reaching their goals. These new practices can potentially impact changes in the organisation and broader sector.
Innovation awards were presented to two teams this year:
The OAK Duke of Edinburgh team: Teena Tranter, Karita Casimaty, Betty Rayner, Deb Peers & Kim Talbot.
In January six clients began their journey to undertake the Duke of Edinburgh’s International award. This was the first time that the award has been undertaken by people with a disability in Tasmania. The team were set the challenge to encourage and develop participants to take themselves out of their comfort zone and try new experiences. It proved to be life changing for many participants and deserving of the award bestowed.
The Co-design for Community Inclusion Project team: Gayle Brown, Judy Prodan, Judy Lawton, Jason Thomson, Samone Blake, Jodie Wilton, Marita Moll, Cairon Moore, Pecks Road Team, Gill Place Team, Kahu Ropata, Annette Johnson, Sara McGee.
This large team effort was recognised for their work on a project involving innovative emerging practice and co-design approach. Person centred collaborative goal planning and support, and measurable outcomes ensured the client’s voice was heard. Thanks to those involved, this project had amazing results that are now being incorporated more broadly across the organisation.
Excellence awards
Excellence for OAK Possability means providing support and development opportunities to the highest possible standards that embody our organisational core values and mission. It means being a role model for peers, consistently exceeding the expectations and being an ambassador for the organisation in every interaction.
Five employees were recognised for their high level of excellence:
Mel Brennan, support worker, Out of Home Care.
Mel identified that one of our clients was not receiving the educational support at home that was needed. Demonstrating initiative, she developed an “At Home Learning Kit”. This has been so successful that it is now being rolled out to other Out of Home Care clients.
Jodie Burn, support worker, Out of Home Care.
Jodie was awarded for consistently seeking to improve the status quo and experience for clients. She develops ideas and plans for school holiday activities, schedules of reward, and write protocols and procedures to ensure a smooth running of the site.
Karita Casimaty, Language, Literacy and Numeracy Trainer.
The award acknowledges how Karita engages and encourage clients learning by making it a part to their daily life and aspirations. Her creative approach makes learning both practical and fun which translates to outstanding client outcomes.
Stacey Alexander, HR Business Partner.
Stacey has been recognised for her outstanding standards in all aspects of her role. Particular achievements include establishing a new online induction system, and playing an integral role in Possability’s recognition as an Employer of Choice.
Chris Rule, Planner, Case Management.
Chris consistently goes beyond the expectations of his role, always offering assistance whether it involve hands on programmes or marketing. He showed immense leadership and motivational qualities for his work in facilitating the roll out of a new data base planning tool at OAK.
Congratulations to all of our winners!
To view last year’s award winners, click here.