Baptist Care SA’s commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring best practice with our clients is reflected in the development and implementation of the Tapa marnirni-apinthi (Creating Change) Practice Framework. 

The Practice Excellence team works supports the implementation of the Tapa marnirni-apinthi Practice Framework across the organisation and works with teams to support staff with their practice.

Rachel Kemish – Manager Practice Excellence

I am a Social Worker with 24 years’ experience of working in Children, Family, and Community Services. This includes working as a child protection social worker, setting up and managing services, leading on quality, performance, and practice improvement and here at Baptist Care SA leading the development and implementation of the Tapa marnirni-apinthi Practice Framework.

“I am passionate and committed to achieving best practice and to ensure that our services, supports, and interventions make a difference in our clients’ lives.”

Sarah Pastro – Practice Lead, Disability Pathways

My formal qualifications include a Bachelors in Psychology, a Masters in Forensic Mental Health and a Diploma in Leadership and Management.

I have worked at Baptist Care SA for 8 years in different roles starting as a Support Worker in Emergency Care and transitioning to Disability Services where I held supervisory and management roles.

“I have a passion for upholding the rights of people and providing quality and safe support. I am privileged to find myself in a role as Practice Lead where I can contribute to developing and implementing such support in an organisation that holds and demonstrates the same passion and values.”

Reanna Kenchington – Practice Lead, Care Pathways

I am a qualified social worker and have been the manager for out of home care and child protection services for the past 7 years. As the Practice Lead for care pathways, my role is to support staff at all levels of the organization to implement the Tapa marnirni-apinthi Practice Framework.

I look forward to working closely with support workers, house leads, team leaders and managers to promote best practice for all children and young people who are in our care and

offering support and guidance around individual and team’s practice in working with young people.

Fiona Winter – Practice Consultant

I have 15 years of experience working with disadvantaged, marginalised and inspiringly resilient members of our society. Working in supervisory, assertive outreach, case management, community work, counselling and group work roles. I have qualifications in Youth Work, Training and Assessment, Law and Society, Loss Grief and Trauma Counselling and a Masters of Social Work.

I feel fortunate to be part of the Practice Excellence team at Baptist Care SA as I am driven to continue working in a position that enables me to operate innovatively ‘with’ vulnerable and marginalised members of our society.

The role allows me to utilise my study and practice wisdom to empower our clients to reach their full potential and maximum independence.

I am passionate about training as it provides me with the opportunity to meet staff from all different programs across the organisation to engage in appreciative enquiry and to assist in the development of their learning and growth as practitioners.

Catherine Chalmers – Senior Quality Officer

I have been at Baptist Care SA for over 17 years and during this time, I have worked in service delivery, management, human resources and quality. 

“I am dedicated to creating efficient and supportive environments where outcomes for clients are considered across all areas of the business, and staff are supported to deliver quality services.”

Chris Ellinger – AlayaCare Training Facilitator

I’m a Social Worker with almost 15 years’ experience in direct practice, management, and system development.

I spent 5 years working for an organisation in Cambodia working on the design and deployment of the country’s first Khmer-language, integrated Case Management and Database system. That experience gave me a passion for the ways that systems can and should support and develop good practice.

Since mid-2021 I have worked for Baptist Care SA, first as a Team Leader in the Community Links Program, and now in the Practice Excellence Team, supporting the deployment of the Tapa Marnirni-Apinthi Practice Framework in the AlayaCare Client Pathway System.

For more information about the Tapa marnirni-apinthi Practice Framework, visit https://baptistcaresa.sharepoint.com/sites/PracticeExcellence

To get in touch with the team, please email [email protected].