When Kelly walks through the door at Banya, she’s not just showing up for work – she’s stepping into a role that’s deeply personal, powerfully intentional, and built on trust.
As a Lead Support Worker at CSBS, Kelly brings more than experience to her role—she brings empathy, advocacy, and an unwavering belief in the rights of the people she supports.
“Just because someone is non-verbal, doesn’t mean they don’t have an opinion,” she says. “I strongly believe that everyone deserves a say in their own life—no matter how they communicate.”
From Childcare to Advocacy
Kelly’s journey into disability support began with a spark she felt while working in childcare.
“I noticed there wasn’t enough support for kids with disability,” she explains. “It just didn’t sit right with me. I wanted to be someone who would advocate for those who couldn’t always advocate for themselves.”
That spark led her to a new career and eventually to CSBS.
Putting them First – Person Led
For Kelly, genuine person-led support starts with listening. Every aspect of her support practice is shaped by the preferences and choices of the person she supports.
“If we’re just going by what we want, we’re not going to help them reach their goals,” she says. “We follow their lead. We respect their decisions.”
This principle was especially important when Kelly supported a client who wanted to choose her own team—without outside influence. It wasn’t easy, but it mattered.
“It was a hard road, but we’ve built a really strong team now. And it was her decision. That makes all the difference.”
Opposite: Kelly and team recently celebrated a very special birthday.
Teamwork, Trust, and Leading by Example
As a Lead Support Worker, Kelly is quick to stress that leadership doesn’t mean hierarchy. It means collaboration.
“I treat my team as equals. I’d never ask them to do something I wouldn’t do myself,” she says. “If something I’ve put in place isn’t working, I want them to tell me. We’ll fix it together.”
She’s built a program that’s completely tailored to her client’s needs, with documented routines and support strategies. That way, anyone walking in—whether new staff or visiting leadership—can provide consistent, high-quality support.
“It’s all in there. If I’m not around, someone else can step in and know exactly what to do. That’s what good support looks like.”
It’s More Than a Job
For Kelly, support work isn’t just a profession—it’s a calling.
“You need to have heart. If you’re just here for the money, this isn’t the job for you.”
What keeps her going? It’s the small moments. The respect. The connection. The joy of seeing someone reach a goal.
“The way they look at you when you walk in the door… you can’t fake that. That’s trust. That’s a relationship.”
Opposite: Kelly getting into the State of Origin spirit
To Future Lead Support Workers: Just Go For It
When asked what advice she’d give to someone considering stepping up into a lead role, Kelly doesn’t hesitate.
“Just go for it. Yes, it’s more work. But if you’ve got a good team behind you, it’s worth every bit of it.”
At CSBS, we’re lucky to have people like Kelly who lead with heart, advocate with courage, and remind us what truly person-led support looks like.
Like to be part of the CSBS team? You can see available positions by clicking the below.