Emma O’Neill
Senior Director
Emma is a Registered Nurse that specialises in Intellectual Disability, Epilepsy and Behaviour Support. She has been working in the Disability sector both nationally and internationally for approximately 15 years. Has 10 years of experience managing and developing multiple services for people with disabilities both in rural and remote settings. Holds several graduate diplomas and certificates that complement her specialisations. Emma enjoys building rapport with people and likes to help people seeking advice and support. She is committed to ensuring people have the right information that they require to make informed choices and assisting them on their path of achieving their life goals.
.
Laura Pedason
Registered Behaviour Support Practitioner/Quality Assurance Officer
Laura holds a Bachelor in Behaviour Management from Bond University as well as additional post graduate qualification in intense family support. She has previous experience working with children with complex behaviours within the out of home care system Working as a registered NDIS Behaviour Practitioner since 2021, she is passionate about ensuring that the rights and dignity of all people are at the highest standard at all times, particularly in the presence of the use of Restrictive Practices. She has extensive experience in working with children, young people and their families to ensure the best outcomes for all individuals.
Holly Martin
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Holly has just recently relocated from Melbourne, Victoria where she was working for an NDIS provider as a Support Coordinator. She completed her tertiary studies at Deakin University where she achieved a Bachelor’s degree in Psychological Science. Holly has a strong interest in mental health and drug/alcohol disorders. Holly has extensive experience in supporting individuals with complex mental health issues. She is passionate about celebrating diversity and building the capacity of every individual to achieve their NDIS goals. Holly is extremely dedicated to providing quality service to individuals and values respect and integrity above all else.
Michael Ruddy
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Michael is the newest member of the Towards the Horizon Team. Relocating from central West NSW – where he was Operations Manager for a NDIS Service Provider. Michael has experience in frontline DSW, Support Coordination, NDIS program management & internal support worker training along with working with ACCHO’s and Aboriginal Medical Services. His passion is a focus on recovery and rehabilitation for those with different needs and abilities while empowering their families and strengthening ties to their wider support networks & communities. Michael has qualifications in Community Services, Alcohol & other Drugs and case management, most recently expanding his knowledge into Behaviour Support via Monash University.
Jody Smyth
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Jodi is a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist with additional post graduate studies in trauma recovery practice. She is originally from Sydney and has been living and working in Darwin for the past 10 years in both the health commissioning and the Aboriginal community control sectors. Jodi is passionate about strengths-based and person-centered practices that are holistic, and trauma informed. Jodi places a strong emphasis on building safe and respectful working relationships, and she likes to take the time to deeply listen to people so that she can truly understand their unique story and experiences through their eyes. She likes to work in partnership with others and is committed to walking alongside her clients and their families/carers to help support them to achieve their desired goals and potential.
Chelsea Martin
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Chelsea has extensive experience in the NDIS space working as a Support Coordinator and Psychosocial Recovery Coach, a Team Leader of an NDIS Outreach Supports Team, and has also successfully worked to build new programs within organisations. Chelsea has firsthand experience working as a Disability Support Worker and a Mental Health Recovery Worker. She holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science from Charles Darwin University where she focussed on Alcohol and Other Drugs, Counselling, and Behaviour Change. Chelsea has extensive specialised training within the NDIS space and is committed to ongoing professional and personal development. She has a lot of experience and a keen interest in working with individuals who have complex mental health issues and/or psychosocial disability. Chelsea is passionate about and dedicated to utilising a person-centred, trauma-informed approach with everyone that she supports. She believes strongly in collaborating meaningfully with an individual’s support team to ensure continuity of care, prevent risk of carer burnout, and working to achieve positive outcomes.
Gunveer Singh Mann
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Gunveer Holds a Bachelor in Humanitarian and Community Studies from Charles Darwin University as well as Certificate IV in Leadership & Management. He has recently completed train the trainer certificate in MAYBO. Gunveer has previous experience working with individuals with challenging and complex behaviours as Supported Independent Living Coordinator. He has a total of more than 5 years’ experience in the community services sector. Gunveer possesses invaluable and transferable skills developed throughout his career to assist NDIS participants to achieve their goals.
Viola Siso
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Viola is passionate and proactive in the belief that all people deserve to live in a manner that is fulfilling and enriching to them. Viola is a Territorian at heart and has lived in Darwin since 2008. She has worked for eight years in the Disability Sector in various positions including working in Inclusion Support in a secondary school, as a Youth Worker assisting young people with disabilities to gain independence & obtain meaningful employment/educational goals, as a Disability Support Worker and an Intake/Project Officer for a disability services provider. Viola is passionate about working alongside people with disabilities, to support them to meet their goals, improve their quality of lie, facilitate healthy relationships and to assist her clients to feel understood by others. Viola holds a tertiary qualifications in Health Science, Community Services and Disability.
Ranjika Huppatz
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Ranjika recently commenced with Towards the Horizon as a Behaviour Support Practitioner. She has occupied the space for about a year, and is a local woman from large Aboriginal families, having lived across the Northern Territory. She is engaged in a Bachelor of Psychological Science and is navigating the amalgamation of course content with the vast experiences of the role. She reflects the Behaviour Support space has facilitated a deep and empathetic comprehension of the measures which constitute providing person-centred Positive Behaviour Support. Ranjika’s approach to Behaviour Support aligns with that of Towards the Horizon, in that safeguarding the wishes and welfare of peoples with disabilities is paramount to empowering them to achieve their highest quality of life and engage in multidimensional, meaningful routines. This passion and commitment is at the centre of her work.