Meet Jed Daisley – Sylvanvale Support Worker
Jed is a support worker in Sylvanvale’s Supported Independent Living homes (SIL). They share their personal and inspiring journey into disability support work.
Growing up in the country town of Kenilworth, Jed was introduced to the world of disability support and aged care at an early age through their mother, who worked as a carer.
Times were different then and as a child, Jed would often go to work with her, forming some of their earliest memories of disability support. Jed remembers playing on a residential farm while their mother helped support a boy, only a few years younger, with an acquired brain injury.
Despite always having an interest in the field, Jed was hesitant to pursue a career in support work. As a person living with Autism, Jed had developed a belief of being naturally introverted and instead spent three years working on a medical cannabis farm.
Working within a team every day, Jed discovered a genuine love for social interaction and let go of the previous belief of being introverted. This newfound confidence led to applying for a job in the disability sector just over a year ago. After six months with another provider, Jed joined Sylvanvale, drawn by its strong values and focus on client care.
A Day in the Life of a Support Worker
Jed experiences fulfilling moments at work, every day. A support workers key responsibilities are to assist participants with their daily living routines, from personal care to meal preparation, activities and bedtimes.
Support work focuses on fostering independence and building confidence in daily tasks. One of Jed’s guiding principles is to recognise each person’s ability and encourage them to challenge limiting beliefs, helping them to be as independent as possible.
“Small consistent steps can lead to big improvements. I don’t think learning from the one bad time is a good thing to do. It doesn’t make sense to stop trying because something doesn’t go to plan”.
Handling unexpected challenges is part of the job. When the people Sylvanvale supports experience negative behaviours, like self-harm or aggression, Jed sees it as a sign of an unmet need they can’t express. Jed believes it’s the role of a support worker to understand and address that need.
Finding Joy and Fulfillment
Jed believes Sylvanvale’s values all stem from respecting participants as people first and this shows with the quality of the wider team.
Connecting with the people they support, and colleagues brings Jed immense satisfaction. Whether it’s seeing a person’s progress, having banter with the team or simply providing comfort, each moment solidifies their love for the profession.
Of course, the job comes with its challenges. Shift work can take time to adapt to and certain tasks, like personal care, require adjustment. However, Jed believes with patience, empathy and the right mindset, these aspects become just another part of the role.
Advice for Aspiring Support Workers
For anyone considering a career in support work, Jed highlights three essential qualities for success: empathy, patience and respect.
“Participants are people first,” Jed says. “From what I have learned, I think the best support workers respect their dignity and encourage independence.”
Jed stresses the importance of self-care, referencing the familiar airplane safety rule of putting your own mask on first. By staying calm and composed in tough moments, participants get the best support.
Outside of Work
Outside of work, Jed enjoys spending time with their partner and three cats, gaming and volunteering. Jed is an enthusiastic advocate for trans equality, using their voice to promote inclusivity and awareness.
Why Sylvanvale?
Jed values Sylvanvale’s extensive training, supportive team culture and the balance of independence and guidance from their manager.
As a large Not For Profit organisation, Sylvanvale offers benefits like salary sacrificing, generous leave loading and the Employee Assistance Program (confidential workplace counselling). It also supports lateral career moves, which aligns with Jed’s long-term goal of transitioning into a caseworker role. For now, Jed is embracing every experience, knowing each day brings new opportunities to learn and make a real impact.
Join the Sylvanvale Team
Jed’s story is a testament to the impact dedicated support workers can have on the lives of people living with disability. If you’re considering a career in disability support, Sylvanvale offers a professional environment where you can grow, learn and make a meaningful difference, with some seriously good benefits.
Visit our careers page to see our current vacancies and follow Sylvanvale on LinkedIn and social media to stay updated with career opportunities.
