Rachel Hardcastle

Behaviour Support Practitioner/Clinical Services Manager NSW
Practitioner Identification Number: P0002716

ABOUT

Rachel has been around disabilities nearly her whole life as her younger brother, Luke, was born with a severe Intellectual Disability and Cerebral palsy. As his big sister, she was always interested in his therapy and helping with his care. It has given her a unique perspective when working with the families of people we support and understands just how important it is to convey the person and their families voice in their care and goals. Rachel was drawn to behaviour support, more specifically, as she loves problem-solving and the numbers that are involved in the data aspect of our role. She really believes in the potential of people and helping reduce the barriers and improve their quality of life.

VALUES AND APPROACH

Rachel believes in getting the basics right first. She also believes that challenging behaviour largely comes from dysregulation or a logical solution to an unmet need. It is imperative to the work we do that we work with people to ensure they understand their sensory diet and use it to optimise their regulation for tasks. 

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Rachel originally studied Occupational Therapy at the University of Sydney, and has worked in Behaviour Support since 2008. She is also registered with the NDIS as an Advanced Practitioner and has previously led a National Behaviour support team. Rachel have 10+ years of experience working on a program for people with Intellectual disability and forensic behaviours and has also worked with a wide range of NDIS participants. Rachel really enjoys seeing practitioners develop, and loves that it is a role that can allow flexibility, and variety in what each day will look like.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTE?

What we know matters, but who we are matters more - Brene Brown