Shanza Bukhari-Mills

As the day services manager I am responsible for creating and managing the programmes for people we support (internally and externally) to attend. I manage a team of support coordinators to deliver these programmes from two sites across Christchurch, sometimes for over 80 people per week attend 'LEAP' where we offer over 50 classes a week.

A lot of skills are similar to my previous management role within the organisation, with the addition of:

• Networking with external companies and organisations to explore new opportunities for people we support and build lasting relationships as a representative of Hohepa.
• Finance: Creating new exciting initiatives for people around Christchurch whilst managing a limited budget and focusing on skill-based programmes.
• Building a varied and attractive term timetable and using influencing skills to encourage external clients to join, contributing to organisational profits.
• Meeting with potential new clients, including whanau and other specialists such as teachers to create an individual programme that is the right fit for them and us as an organisation.
• Working with the H&S manager to inform decisions and undertaking new endeavours to assess and mitigate risk.
• Implementing quality control measures within the services to ensure high standards are met by all team members.
• Creating and running team trainings.

As a Specialist Support Manager I was responsible for the delivery of a specific framework of services, leading teams who were supporting people with intellectual disabilities who may have ASD, Down Syndrome, mental health issues and/or challenging behaviours.

• Supporting Clients: Promoting positive behavior support practices, maximizing people's independence, encouraging the development of each individual and creating strong communities of support. Ensuring this is all done in line with the Disability Code of Rights.
• Relationship Building: Building and maintaining professional relationships with my team, people I supported, their whanau and internal and external stakeholders.
• Building Plans and Collaboration: Creating Support plans with the people I supported and their whanau, identifying when external specialists input was required (Behaviour Specialists, Psychiatrists) and subsequently working with them to create Behaviour and Safety plans.
• Self-Direction: Managing my own time, prioritising needs and contributing to the development of Hohepa's standards, operations, policy and procedures in line with sector standards.
• People Management: Building and managing a team of support workers across several residential services, providing feedback and coaching. Reinforcing the Hohepa vision 'every life fully lived', facilitating monthly team meetings and providing debriefs after significant events.
• Cultural Awareness: Being aware of and implementing cultural values where necessary, including putting into practice values from Te Tiriti o Waitangi for our Maori tangata.
• Quality and Risk: Ensure risk management systems and strategies are implemented, practiced and are effective in minimising risk, liaising with the Health and Safety manager where needed.
• Project Management: Working across departments, coordinating and running meetings to establish new residential services. Bringing in new people with ID's and whanau, ensuring the collective funding could create a sustainable team and service.

I supported and encouraged 1 - 4 individuals with intellectual disabilities and Autism in their residential home.

• Encouraged independence by teaching skills needed for everyday life.
• Administered medication according to doctor's orders and monitored side effects.
• Provided assistance in the home environment including meal preparation and light housekeeping.
• Managed challenging behaviors through positive behaviour support techniques
• Maintained records of services provided, client progress, and goals achieved.