Tweed / Gold Coast
Byron / Ballina / Lismore
Grafton / Yamba

TWEED / GOLD COAST


Kerrie Chique
Lead Practitioner Development Specialist

Kerrie Chique began working with Shaping Outcomes in 1998. Her passion for teaching children with additional needs started in 1991 at St Joseph’s Community Preschool, which was the first local program to include children with disabilities from Shaping Outcomes.  In one of her roles at Shaping Outcomes, Kerrie has worked closely with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, Elders and the Bugalwena Health Team.

“What I love about working at Shaping Outcomes is the wonderful and amazing children and their families. I am so grateful and proud to be a part of their everyday lives, challenges and good times.  Working with such a talented Shaping Outcomes staff, local Early Childhood educators and quality Early Childhood settings in the Tweed Shire community is fulfilling, enlightening and satisfying. I feel honoured to come to work every day.”


Sarah Kennedy
Lead Practitioner Development Specialist

Sarah is a primary trained teacher and has a wealth of experience and education to support her families, with studies in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor of Education, Fine Arts and Visual Culture, and a Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies. She works across many educational settings from early childhood through to primary education. Sarah’s lived experience surrounding autism assists her to support the needs of every child and their family. She enjoys using art, craft and hands-on activities as tools to deliver interventions in a way that is lasting in results, and enjoyable for children.

“In my role at Shaping Outcomes I believe that placing value on the strengths and wonderful abilities that each child possesses puts focus where it needs to be. Building the potential of every child, celebrating each success – small and large, and learning and growing together.”


Anne Nethery
Parent Group Facilitator

Anne has had many years experience supporting students with disabilities in primary schools in her role as Additional Needs Teacher. In this role she helped students with disabilities in their smooth transition to school and throughout their primary years, ensuring that they received the support needed to successfully achieve their full potential. Anne is a strong advocate for inclusive education and is excited about continuing her passion in supporting children with disabilities in her new role as Key worker Development Specialist at Shaping Outcomes.

“I’m thrilled to be part of the very dedicated and experienced Shaping Outcomes Team and am so privileged to be able to assist local children and their families to feel that they are all valued members of our community. So they can live by this Verna Myers quote – Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance”


Michelle O’Neill 
Lead Practitioner Development Specialist

Michelle O’Neill is a Key Worker Specialist and has been with Shaping Outcomes since 2015. Michelle has worked locally in the Early Childhood sector as a teacher for over 20 years, during that time she worked in collaboration with staff from Shaping Outcomes to support children in her care, before deciding to follow her strong interest in the area of working with children with delays and disabilities.

“I feel privileged to work at Shaping Outcomes with other dedicated professionals, who are so supportive not only of the children and families they work with, but also one another. I very much enjoy being a part of our community and getting out into the homes, centres, and schools where I am able to work alongside others to provide positive outcomes for children.”


Carley Veal 
Lead Practitioner Development Specialist

Carley Veal is a qualified primary school teacher with over 12 years’ experience across a variety of local educational support settings. Before becoming a teacher and joining our team Carley previously worked in early childhood settings, she was a teacher’s aide for many years and has worked for Ronald McDonald House as a tutor for children who have missed significant amounts of school due to illness.

Carley first came to Shaping Outcomes as a parent and is passionate about the transdisciplinary approach that Shaping outcomes offers as she has seen first-hand the success early intervention has for families like her own. Carley has plans to further her study this year with a graduate certificate in Autism Studies.

“Working for Shaping outcomes has given me an opportunity to give back the support that was originally given to me. I’m so happy to be able to help our community and build relationships that will foster growth for these families moving forward. I am really proud to be part of such an amazing team of professionals in such a supportive environment.”


James Warren
Lead Practitioner Development Specialist

James Warren is one of our newest Shaping Outcomes staff members, James has been a primary teacher in both NSW and Qld and has worked across an array of education settings. During his time as a teacher he has had experience working with children with many differing disabilities. By working with Shaping Outcomes, he’s looking forward to work alongside families and the young person to support them in their goals and aspirations and to ensure they have the skills to lead an independent life.

“I am really excited to be part of a dedicated team like Shaping Outcomes, helping families through what can be a very stressful time in their lives. For this, I am enthusiastic to get out into the community to help families move forward and to provide a high standard of service.”


Hayley Elford 
Lead Practitioner Development Specialist

With a Diploma in Early Childhood Services Hayley has worked as an educator for 19 years. During these years she was always drawn to working closely with children who have additional needs. This led Hayley to accomplishing a Graduate Certificate in Autism studies in 2019 and then most recently a Cert 4 in Education Support which has given her the opportunity to work as a teachers aid in local primary schools.

“Over the years I have witnessed first hand the dedicated support that children, their families and educators receive from Shaping Outcomes. I am excited to be apart of such a supportive and invested team”.


Kym Georgeson
Lead Practitioner Development Specialist

Kym has worked in Early Childhood for over 20 years, she comes with experience in working in a variety of roles; one on one with children, managing families and teams and also managing a service that meets the needs of families with diverse backgrounds. It was during this role that she cemented her passion for working with children and families with disabilities.

“After having both professional and personal experiences with Shaping Outcomes over the past 10 years, I feel honoured to be part of such an inspiring team. Supporting families to provide environments and experiences in their community that help in enhancing their children’s development, while creating a sense of safety and security is when I feel truly rewarded.”

BYRON / BALLINA / LISMORE


Melinda Turnbull
Lead Practitioner Development Specialist
(Lismore/Ballina)

Melinda Turnbull has recently joined the team at Shaping Outcomes as part of our expansion into Lismore/Ballina. Melinda has worked for 25 years in a variety of Early Childhood settings including as Teacher/Director in small rural preschools, Early Intervention Transition to School program and an Aboriginal Children’s Daycare Centre. Through her teaching roles she has closely collaborated with Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Keyworkers and has developed a passion for working with children with developmental delays and disABILITIES.

“I am delighted to join the dedicated team at Shaping Outcomes and look forward to supporting and empowering young children and their families in Northern NSW.”


Alana Martinero
Lead Practitioner Development Specialist
(Byron/Ballina)

Alana has 20 years experience in social coaching, using NLP and CBT techniques that focuses on finding and utilising a person’s strengths.  After raising her own child with ASD/ADHD she became very passionate about early childhood intervention. Alana knows that every child can thrive, and they all need an advocate and activist for their individuality and uniqueness.  Now studying Disability Support, every day is a learning experience, she finds supporting children and their families, whether in support or coordination of supports, the most rewarding career.

“Shaping Outcomes have set a new standard for care and support, not only in the way they conduct support for the families, but also in the way they support us as a team.  I’m very grateful to work with such dedicated and experienced professionals, who have the biggest hearts”.

GRAFTON / YAMBA


Heather Ellem
Lead Practitioner Development Specialist
(Grafton)

Heather Ellem has nearly thirty years’ experience working in a variety of education settings from early childhood to high school. While managing early childhood services Heather was known for her inclusive practices. She has a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and Master of Education (Early Childhood) and is currently studying a MBA in Early Childhood. Heather brings a mix of skills and knowledge to the role, she is an advocate of inclusion in all settings of the community. She is looking forward to getting back to the grass roots of her qualifications through play based early intervention.

“I am excited to join Shaping Outcomes. To be part of an organisation with passionate professionals who constantly work towards best practice and to work with children to help them be the best version of themselves “.


Gina Fleming
Lead Practitioner Development Specialist
(Grafton)

Gina Fleming has worked as a support worker for the past 3 years. She has an excellent skillset for the role being professional, fun and outgoing – her families adore her.  Her skills as a individual skills worker continue to grow everyday with the different situations and challenges she faces. Gina is in her 3rd year of a Bachelor of Social Work and plans to continue within the disability sector to help others, post her studies.

“Since starting with shaping outcomes I have only encountered employees that are truly client-centred, working hard to achieve the best possible outcomes for the children and their families”.

Administration


Col Usher
Chief Executive Officer

Shaping Outcomes has been a pillar of support and advocacy for families and children with developmental delays and disabilities in the Tweed for over 40 years.  When the opportunity presented itself to Col to assist the organisation in 2014 in Governance support it was a no brainer for him to lead the board.  Since then he has walked closely with the team watching them transition through one of the hardest reforms undertaken to any industry in Australia, the NDIS.  The level of commitment, flexibility, understanding and passion from the SO team was unwavering and Col sees it an honour to be the CEO of such a reputable organisation.

“It is my privilege and responsibility to contribute and support the Shaping Outcomes team as much as possible to see families and children impacted by our work.”


Ruth Usher
Chief Operations Officer

Since the year 2000, Ruth worked with a children’s organisation supporting the emotional wellbeing of children within the education system. After receiving a diagnosis for her daughter in 2013 it became evident that a future advocating for children with disabilities would entail. In 2017 she joined the Shaping Outcomes team to combine a love of writing, advocacy and support of families writing NDIS plans. After a short stint leading the Northcott team at Tweed Heads, Ruth brings an enthusiasm and exhaustive knowledge for NDIS to Shaping Outcomes which will support our families and staff.

“Shaping Outcomes has supported us through some of our most testing times as a family, it is so great to be on the other side giving back to a supportive workplace and community.”


Elaine Clinnick
Chief Development Officer

Elaine Clinnick has been involved with Shaping Outcomes since 2010 when her family accessed the service for her daughter. She began working at Shaping Outcomes in 2012 as an Early Childhood Intervention Teacher/Key Worker Specialist, and continues to work part-time in early childhood education and care.

“Shaping Outcomes is such a great place to work, we have a fantastic team of staff who are very supportive of each other. It is wonderful to be a part of Shaping Outcomes”.


Aaron Thompson 
Chief Financial Officer

Aaron came to Shaping Outcomes after 18 years in accounting, taxation, finance and business services; including 13 years in public practice. As a parent of two children who have accessed the service, a past period on the Board of Directors as the treasurer and as an adult living with ASD, he is well placed and passionate about the service. Aaron is working in the management team ensuring the continued financial health and sustainability of Shaping Outcomes.

“Our family has trusted this service for many years and seen great gains in our children. It seemed like a natural progression to work here and ensure it is sustainable for years to come.”


Krystel Joyce
Executive Administration

Krystel Joyce has worked in many roles and even studied to be a paramedic, but found her calling in Early Childhood Intervention. She has a background in working with kids & adults with various disabilities, and as the parent of a child with processing issues she also has lived experience. After working for Shaping Outcomes for two years as an Individual Skills Worker Krystel made the change to work as our Executive Administrator and hasn’t looked back.

“I am very excited about working with the admin team, to help families from the start of their journey with SO. It’s a great privilege to walk this path with these families”.