A workplace that feels like home

For our Support Worker, Tatiana, support work is a genuine opportunity to serve people in meaningful ways. She has been a support worker for nearly two years with Client Care First (CCF), after eight years as a support worker in aged care, which is what led her to work as a disability support worker. 

Originally from Chile and raised in Australia since she was 12, Tatiana grew up speaking Spanish at home, and later used her language skills in aged care to support Spanish, Greek, Italian, and Macedonian residents. It was a role she loved, but one that also came with emotional challenges.

“In aged care, I was caring for 32 residents with only a few staff,” she explains. “You want to give everyone time and attention, but you can’t. It was heartbreaking.”

That experience shaped her decision to transition into disability support, a field where she could provide one-on-one care and build more meaningful connections and relationships.

“With disability work, you can really meet the participant needs. You can be there for them. It’s beautiful,” she says. “You get to make a difference in a way you couldn’t before.”

Tatiana describes Client Care First as a workplace that genuinely values its people.

“When I started, I saw how they celebrated participants at Christmas. They have a big party where families and even grandchildren are invited. My family got to meet the participants and staff. It felt like a family gathering.”

For her, that sense of inclusion reflects the broader culture of the business.

“I have always been treated with respect,” she says. “If I need to talk, someone is always ready to listen. It’s a supportive environment.”

The joy of the work comes in small, meaningful moments, during conversations, shared outings, or simply being present.

“Sometimes participants thank you for talking with them or helping them understand something,” Tatiana shares. “Especially when they’re feeling down, a conversation can mean a lot. You can drive to the beach, sit and talk. That human connection really helps.”

Tatiana also values opportunities for growth and learning. She has supported participants living with complex conditions, including Huntington’s disease, and approaches every challenge with curiosity and compassion.

“We are meant to serve,” she says. “That’s what I’m here for. I’m always learning and adapting.”

What stands out most about Client Care First is its commitment to respect, for both staff and participants.

“Honest communication and respect make all the difference,” Tatiana says. “Everyone here treats each other with dignity.”

While funding limitations can sometimes restrict what participants are able to do, Tatiana remains grounded in gratitude.

“It can be frustrating, but we are still very blessed to be able to do the things we can already do.”

Her advice for anyone considering a career in support work is simple:

“Treat people as you would like to be treated. There is always someone who needs support and it could be you or someone you love one day. Kindness and respect is the priority.”

Tatiana’s story reflects the heart of disability support: building relationships, offering dignity, and helping people live meaningful lives. 

For her, Client Care First isn’t just a workplace, it’s a community that values compassion and human connection. And that, she believes, makes all the difference.