Community Support Profiles: Casey and David

Team profile: Casey

Since joining STEPS in October 2024, Disability Manager Casey has used her unwavering passion to lead and empower our STEPS Community Support teams.

Casey’s career in disability services began in 2018 when she became a support worker and quickly realised she had discovered her calling. “I’m one of the lucky ones who genuinely enjoys coming to work,” Casey shared. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see the impact our supports have on the lives of our participants and their loved ones.”

Although her journey began with hands-on client support, Casey loves that her leadership role allows her to make an even broader impact, guiding continuous improvement and empowering both participants and team members.

Her influence can be felt not just in the day-to-day operations but also behind the scenes, where she works hard to ensure that STEPS remains a trusted provider for inclusion, growth and positive outcomes for people with a disability and autism, as well as their support networks and loved ones.

“My role now is about making a difference through organisational investments and supporting our teams behind the scenes,” Casey said. “Every day, I see how even the smallest of changes can have a big impact.”

Whether she’s coordinating new initiatives, mentoring team members or celebrating participant achievements, Casey leads with respect and genuine care. Her favourite part of the job is watching our participants grow in confidence and independence, and she’s a true believer in inclusivity and personalised support changing lives.

Client profile: David

STEPS Community Support participant David is a vibrant and curious young man living on the Sunshine Coast, but he used to struggle greatly with connecting to others in his community due to his mobility and communication challenges.

Living with vision and hearing loss, outings were often limited and overwhelming, making it difficult for him to enjoy the simple connection and happiness that come from participating in everyday community life. But change came when STEPS partnered closely with David’s occupational therapist to develop a tailored, highly individualised support plan.

Through regular collaboration, the team identified key barriers and created practical solutions, including a custom travel harness designed for stability and comfort during transit. The occupational therapist provided expert guidance on its design and use, while STEPS ensured it was safely integrated into David’s routines.

STEPS support workers, specially trained in occupational therapy principles and David’s unique needs, now accompany him with attentiveness and consistency. Ongoing communication with his occupational therapist ensures that the strategies are continually refines so David feels secure, respected and empowered on every outing.

Since introducing these supports, David’s confidence has blossomed, and he’s enthusiastically tried new activities and met new people. Weekly visits to parks and local attractions like the Ginger Factory and peaceful drives have become part of a fulfilling routine rich with sensory experiences and social connection.

David’s story reminds us that thoughtful individualised support, grounded in collaboration between service providers and allied health professionals, can truly transform lives.

STEPS helps people like David make the most out of their community and day-to-day lives by delivering personalised support backed by empathy and a true passion for helping others. To learn more about our Community Support services and what they offer, visit our website, call our friendly Customer Care team on 1800 312 742 or email them at customercare@stepsgroup.com.au.