Social and Community Participation

Social and Community Participation

At Etan, our community participation options are exclusively available to participants within our homes – ensuring every experience is aligned with your goals, routines, and daily supports.

Our approach is intentional and person-centred, built around you – your interests, your goals, and the life you want to lead. We believe social and community participation is an important part of building confidence, independence, meaningful relationships, and a genuine sense of belonging.

Each week is designed with purpose, so you’re not just passing time, but creating experiences, building skills, strengthening social connections, and having something meaningful to share with the people around you.

At Etan, we take the time to understand who you are, what matters most to you, and the experiences you genuinely enjoy. Whether it’s social outings, sports, volunteering, hobbies, community groups, employment goals, or trying something completely new, we support you to access opportunities that suit your personality, strengths, and aspirations.

What This Looks Like in Practice:

  • Structured weekly planning led by your House Lead or Coordinator, offering a curated selection of social and capacity-building experiences
  • Ongoing opportunities to explore new experiences, build confidence, strengthen independence, and increase community participation
  • Purposeful social connection through regular, facilitated engagement with other Etan participants
  • The Etan Summer Series (September–March), delivering a calendar of premium weekend experiences including day trips, camping, and regional exploration

Creating strong connections with friends, family, and the wider community has a positive impact on both mental and physical wellbeing. Feeling connected, included, and supported helps people build confidence, improve overall wellbeing, and enjoy a greater sense of belonging.

Supporting participants to grow in confidence, explore new opportunities, and build meaningful social connections is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do – and we’re proud to create experiences that are not only engaging, but genuinely enriching.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Etan provide 24/7 support?

At Etan, we’ve designed a support system that ensures you have assistance around the clock. Our support teams operate in shifts from 8 am to 4 pm and 4 pm to 8 am. We strive to accommodate your unique schedule, ensuring your needs are met promptly and efficiently.

Etan is dedicated to helping you build essential daily living skills. We collaborate with you on meal preparation, planning, and household tasks. From creating a shopping list to going on weekly shopping trips and maintaining your health and wellbeing.

You’re covered! Whether you choose to rent your own place or stay in accommodation provided by Etan, we’ve got you sorted. For those in our accommodation, a fixed weekly rent of $300 covers all bills, internet, utilities, and even your weekly food allowance. If you opt for an independent rental, we’ll handle all bills and provide a weekly food allowance.

We’ve got something special for you – your very own “Transport Solution.” Our support workers will utilize this service to ensure you get to school, appointments, and community outings conveniently.

No worries about pharmacy visits! We’ve partnered with Kiara Pharmacy to streamline your medication needs. They’ll pack and deliver your prescriptions right to your doorstep every fortnight, eliminating the hassle of waiting in lines or dealing with scripts.

If you’re eager to work but facing hurdles in finding a job or lacking employment funding, Etan is here to support your aspirations. We believe in your potential for growth and achievement. Simply let us know your career goals, and our dedicated support workers will actively assist you in honing your skills. Whether it’s job applications or exploring entrepreneurial ventures, we’re committed to helping you take the next step in your professional journey

While perfection may elude any provider, Etan stands apart as more than a conventional support service – we’re a nurturing family. Our core values revolve around individualized care, fostering personal growth, and cultivating meaningful connections. Emphasizing the vital role of communication, we uphold regular weekly dialogues with relevant stakeholders to address both successes and challenges. Unlike providers who make grand promises, our commitment at Etan is simple yet unwavering – to passionately care for you. This means delivering a service devoid of labels like clients or support workers, instead fostering a relationship built on equality between two individuals.

At the heart of our approach is teamwork, with every stakeholder in your care sharing a common goal – your ‘best interests.’ At Etan, we recognize the value of collaboration and understand that while we are the experts in service delivery, other experts play crucial roles. We actively engage with experienced professionals in your care, such as Occupational Therapists, Positive Behavior Specialists, Recovery Coaches, Psychologists, and other clinicians. Working seamlessly together, we provide regular updates, seek their insights, participate in training, and welcome advice on how to enhance our support for you. Your best interests are our top priority, and our commitment lies in maintaining effective teamwork for your overall well-being

Communication is key. If any aspect isn’t meeting your expectations, let us know, and we’ll work together to find a solution. We collaborate closely with your support network to ensure everyone is aligned with your best interests. If, for any reason, you decide to explore other options, we’ll support you in making that change.

Chloe Belcher

Haynes

A compassionate and experienced Disability Support Worker with a Master’s degree in Childhood & Youth, specialising in psychological health and Autism support. Chloe brings a strong understanding of developmental and environmental needs across childhood, adolescence and into adulthood. Passionate about empowering individuals to build independence, confidence, and quality of life through tailored, person-centred care. Skilled in understanding complex emotional and behavioural needs while creating supportive environments that encourage growth, connection, and long-term wellbeing

Jackson Bourke

Hilbert

Jackson is a dedicated Residential Support Worker and Team Leader with over five years of experience supporting individuals across a range of needs, with a strong focus on autism. He is passionate about creating a safe, positive, and empowering environment for clients, and takes pride in leading by example within his team. In his role as Team Leader, Jackson supports staff and works closely with coordinators to ensure high-quality care and consistency across the home.

Aoife Shaw

Service Coordinator

Aoife is a dedicated and compassionate support worker with over five years of experience in the social care sector. Originally from Ireland, she completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Care Practice before relocating to Australia to continue her career supporting individuals to live fulfilling and independent lives.
Aoife takes pride in empowering participants to develop their confidence, engage with their communities, and achieve greater independence while ensuring they feel respected, valued, and supported every step of the way.

Her approachable nature, strong communication skills, and commitment to building meaningful relationships enable her to provide high-quality care tailored to each individual’s unique needs and goals.

Debbie Ruland

Meadow Springs

I am deeply committed to empowering my clients , with compassion ,Respect and care. And committed to supporting my clients to achieve their personal goals.

Brie McMullen

Service Coordinator

With over 10 years of experience in the disability sector, I am deeply committed to supporting individuals to live meaningful and fulfilling lives. My career has been built on a strong foundation of empathy, respect, and a genuine passion for person-centred practice.

I hold a Diploma in Community Services Management, which has equipped me with the skills to lead, advocate, and deliver high-quality support tailored to each individual’s unique goals and needs. Throughout my work, I have focused on empowering people to make their own choices, build independence, and engage fully in their communities.

I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a life they choose. My approach is grounded in listening, collaboration, and creating supportive environments where people feel valued, heard, and capable of achieving their aspirations.

Whether working directly with individuals, families, or teams, I bring dedication, experience, and a strong commitment to making a positive difference.

Genian Shuttleworth

Balga

A highly experienced Disability Support Worker specialising in mental health and complex support needs, providing professional, trauma-informed, and person-centred care. Demonstrates strong expertise in crisis intervention, behavioural support, and risk management, with a clear focus on promoting independence, safety, and long-term wellbeing. Works collaboratively with clients, families, and multidisciplinary professionals to deliver individualised, outcome-focused support.

Kyle McCarthy

Baldivis

“Supporting others is something I genuinely care about, and I have a strong passion for helping people feel valued, respected, and confident in their everyday lives through building up trust with my clients. I enjoy making a positive difference through practical support, encouragement, and bringing a bit of joy to each day. Helping individuals build confidence and lead fulfilling, as independent a life as possible is what truly motivates me.”

Lawrence

Alexander Heights

With over six years of experience in the disability sector, Lawrence is passionate about empowering participants to achieve their goals while providing high-quality, person-centred support. He has extensive experience supporting individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, acquired brain injuries, intellectual disabilities, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and those requiring PEG feeding.

Lawrence has also worked as a Coordinator, where he managed a portfolio of 28 participants and led a team of 38 support workers. His leadership experience, combined with his compassionate and practical approach, enables him to build strong relationships with participants, families, and staff while ensuring quality service delivery.

Qualifications

  • Diploma of Community Services
  • Certificate III in Individualised Support (Disability, Home & Community Care)
  • Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) MOOC – University of Tasmania

Chris Gardiner

Scheduler

Chris Gardiner is a Scheduler at Etan Health Care, responsible for coordinating appointments, managing schedules, and ensuring a smooth operational flow that supports high-quality client care.

With a diverse background in Sales, Facilities Management, and extensive rostering experience, Chris brings a unique combination of analytical precision and strong communication skills to his role.

He is passionate about communication, efficiency, teamwork, and creating positive experiences for both colleagues and clients.

Peter Lukata

Senior Scheduler

Peter Lukata is a scheduler at Etan Health Care, where he coordinates appointments, manages schedules, and ensures smooth operational flow to support high-quality client care. With a professional background in accounting and marketing, Peter brings a unique blend of analytical precision and communication skills to his role. He is currently upgrading his management skills and professional expertise, reflecting his commitment to continuous growth and excellence. Peter is passionate about efficiency, teamwork, and creating positive experiences for both colleagues and clients.

Kiara Bannon

Community Worker

Kiara is originally from Ireland and holds a Level 8 Degree in Social Care Practice. She began her career as a Support Worker and progressed into a Team Lead role before moving into her current position as a Community Worker at Etan Health Care.

With experience across frontline support and leadership roles, Kiara has developed a strong understanding of person-centred practice and is passionate about supporting individuals to achieve their goals and live fulfilling lives. She enjoys building positive relationships with participants, families, and support teams to ensure high-quality, coordinated support. Kiara is also currently undertaking training in the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) space, further strengthening her knowledge and commitment to delivering best-practice support within the disability sector.

Darren Penney

Service Coordinator

Darren changed his career path in 2009 and entered the Medical and Health industry. Commencing work in Occupational Health at first as a medical screener then working his way up to Software training consultant. Through dedication and more progressive responsibility, Darren advanced to more management style roles. His management style is characterised by a compassionate yet decisive approach, ensuring equitable treatment and fostering a productive work environment.

Jessica McKrill

Operations Manager

Jessica is committed to delivering person-centred supports that promote safety, dignity, and empowerment of people with disability. In her role as Coordinator at Etan Health Care, she works to ensure services are aligned with the NDIS Practice Standards and tailored to reflect each client’s needs, goals, and aspirations.

With a background in quality and compliance management in the NDIS services space, Jessica brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in compliance processes such as internal auditing, policy development, incident and risk management, and contributing to restrictive practice authorisation through a rights-based approach. She is passionate about fostering a culture of accountability, learning, and continuous improvement within the teams she leads.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts and brings a creative, thoughtful perspective to her leadership. She is known for her collaborative approach, strong problem-solving skills, and genuine commitment to achieving positive outcomes.

Rionagh Durnien

Marketing Specialist

Rionagh is dedicated to supporting the smooth operation of teams and ensuring clients receive exceptional service. Holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Ulster University, she combines a deep understanding of marketing principles with creative problem-solving to deliver impactful results.

Her background in Marketing has given her a solid understanding of business operations and communication strategies. She is passionate about contributing to team success and continuously improving systems to enhance overall productivity.

Sharon Hilliard

Accounts Administrator

Sharon has a passion for assisting clients and their businesses succeed and thrive, being able to join in on their journey is what she finds most rewarding.

She works for a number of different clients in a variety of sectors. Prior to arriving in Australia, she operated her own successful business for over 10 years.

Sharon has operational and accounting experience ensuring all bookkeeping, salaries and legislative requirements are correctly adhered to and has a very strong business acumen.

She is committed to Etan and dedicated to support both clients and staff in providing the highest quality services. Sharon holds a Master of Professional Accounting from Edith Cowan University.

Fungai Bowa

Client Engagement Manager

Fungai boasts over a decade of rich experience in the field of Human Services across various sectors in Australia, including child protection, aged care, and disability support. However, it is in recent years that Fungai’s professional journey has taken a deeply meaningful turn towards supporting individuals on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

With approximately five years dedicated to Western Australia’s largest Autism organization, Fungai has emerged as a beacon of advocacy and support for those on the spectrum. Her tenure has fostered not only expertise but also a profound passion for enabling individuals with ASD to unearth and nurture their latent talents.

Driven by a genuine commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowerment, Fungai endeavors tirelessly to create pathways for individuals with ASD to realize their full potential. Her dedication is not merely a profession but a calling, reflected in her unwavering efforts to champion the rights and abilities of those she serves.

Aubrey Chisanga

Director

Aubrey is the founder of Etan Health Care, a company dedicated to providing high-quality support and services to individuals within the disability sector. With over 10 years of experience in the disability sector, specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Aubrey has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with a disability and their families. He created Etan Health Care to address the need for an honest, reliable, and reputable support service in an industry often plagued by dishonesty.

At Etan Health Care, participants can expect to receive the care and compassion they deserve. Aubrey and his team are committed to delivering the support and services that are required, with a focus on honesty and transparency. This approach has earned Etan Health Care a reputation as a trusted and reliable provider of support for individuals with a disability. In addition to his experience in the disability sector, Aubrey is also a family lawyer. He brings with him his expertise in the law and policies that govern the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

At the heart of Aubrey’s work is a passion for improving the quality of life for individuals with a disability. He is dedicated to ensuring that they receive the care and support they need to reach their full potential. With his combination of experience, expertise, and compassion, Aubrey is the ideal advocate for individuals with a disability and their families.

If you’re looking for an experienced professional who truly understands the needs of individuals and is dedicated to providing an honest, reliable, and reputable support service, contact us today!