Each year, the Loddon Training Conference unites professionals, educators, families, and carers to explore effective ways to support people who sometimes experience behaviours of concern or distress. This year’s theme, Breaking Barriers – Communication at the Heart of Behaviour, emphasized how critical it is to adopt fresh approaches to understanding communication and breaking down barriers to provide genuinely meaningful support.
Fiona’s recognition is a true reflection of her dedication to best practices that create a positive difference for autistic people and people with learning disabilities. At Catalyst Care Group, we’re immensely proud and grateful to have Fiona as part of our team.
Fiona McLaren shares her thoughts on winning the award and her approach to best practice. Let’s take a moment to hear her inspiring story:
1. Tell us more about the award you received and what it means to you.
Winning the PBS Best Practice Award reflects the commitment and passion we’ve invested in pushing the boundaries of quality and effectiveness in our work. This award is given to recognise exemplary practices, and receiving it highlights our impact as a team on our immediate community and the broader landscape. It was awarded based on the impact of recent bespoke training for support workers tailored around the person they support.
2. What inspired you to pursue the work that led to this recognition?
The inspiration for this work stems from a desire to make a meaningful difference, blending creativity with best practices to tackle complex challenges. I was motivated by the potential to bring about a positive, lasting change that could serve as an example for others.
3. What are the key moments or significant accomplishments you’ve done that contributed to winning the award?
Recently, we have been delivering training adapted to be bespoke for the person we are supporting. Ensuring that the training suits the needs of the staff attending, we have done this by making the training interactive, developing different activities and role play relating to the person they support that the staff can take away and put it into practice.
Doing this in person and using activities has supported the staff in learning practical, proactive skills rather than a solely classroom-based teaching session. It has supported the staff to be creative, enhance their skills, and increase confidence.
4. How does this accomplishment impact your current role and future goals?
This award is a wonderful validation of the work we’ve been doing and gives a boost to our current and future initiatives. In my role, it reinforces my dedication to excellence and continuous improvement, encouraging me to push further and think bigger.
Moving forward, my goals include scaling the impact of this work, sharing our approach with others, and continuing to innovate in ways that align with the values and mission statement of Catalyst Care Group.
5. What message would you like to share with colleagues and the wider community about the significance of this recognition?
This award is a collective achievement, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support, input, and collaboration of everyone involved. I look forward to sharing knowledge and developing our practice to deliver the best outcomes for the people we support.
We are proud and grateful to have Fiona on our team. Her genuine compassion and dedication are invaluable gifts to all of us at the company, creating a positive impact on our work environment and, even more so, for the people we support. Fiona’s commitment to excellence inspires our team and enhances the lives of the people we serve, making a meaningful difference in our community.
This is just one step in our commitment to building the right support for autistic people, people with learning disabilities and mental health needs. With one purpose in mind—to humanise care, one family at a time—we will continue our journey by joining our forces to create a better future for all.
