Last month, Kathryn Key took up the role of Project Executive for the Transforming Community Services Program. Her leadership of Community Services spans from Coffs Harbour to Sydney, along with Support Coordination, our business support team (PALs) for Community and Therapy.
Our CEO Julia Squire was excited to welcome her and to launch the program, which will “give these important services, and our “shop front” to local communities the support, leadership, time and care they need and deserve”.
Recently, we further caught up with Kathryn to learn more about her new role with us.
Q: How have your first few weeks been at Ability Options been?
A: Fun! I love getting to meet lots of people and learn new things, so I am enjoying myself. Of course, there are the usual “new person” anxieties that comes with not knowing where to find things, or how to work the printer, but everyone has been incredibly warm and welcoming. I have really appreciated it, and I am incredibly pleased to be here.
Q: To you, what defines quality services?
A: Services that support people to live their fullest life, that support the inherent dignity, rights, and aspirations of every individual we meet. I think that quality service provision should always be based on the person, family or community receiving the service, which means communicating well with and being led by the person all the time. It is a great privilege to do this work, to be trusted with the impact on others, and I value that a lot and try to keep in the forefront of my mind for every decision I make.
Q: What does Transforming Community Services set out to achieve?
A: The focus of my work will be ensuring the long-standing impact of the community portfolio of services for Ability Options into the future. This means understanding what supports people value and need most, how we are supporting our employees to deliver supports in the most effective and efficient ways to meet the needs of participants, and how we ensure financial stability for growth into the future. There is no fixed outcome at this stage, rather we are exploring how we want to do things moving forward. It is exciting and an opportunity to take stock and recalibrate.
More about Kathryn
Kathryn has an extensive background in leading and transforming operational services in the not-for-profit sector, working closely with participants and families and the staff and communities who work alongside them. She prioritises high quality accessible services that support people to get the outcomes they want and need and to develop their capacity and be included in their communities.
“Her track record in supporting staff to do the best job possible, develop their skills and careers and to be safe and happy at work, is nothing short of excellent,” Julia says.
Kathryn has worked in the not-for-profit sector since she was 21 years old. Her entrance to the sector was informed by both a counselling-focused degree and a Master’s in Social Work.
Her career spans a range of services including disability, health, family violence, mental health, and alcohol. She spent 10 years in frontline roles, first as a support worker, then in case management and counselling roles. The years following were spent across leadership roles including managing large portfolios in the disability sector and transitioning services into the NDIS. Most recently, Kathryn was CEO of a youth and family service. She has also held Board Director positions at several not-for-profit organisations.
“I love working with people. It is important to me to feel part of something bigger than myself, and to be striving to have a positive impact where I can. I have a deep commitment to social justice and positive outcomes in communities. I help achieve these by listening and being led by the people receiving our services,” Kathryn says.
Kathryn’s focus at Ability Options is ensuring the long-standing impact of the portfolio of our Community Services into the future. This means understanding what supports people value and need most, how we are supporting colleagues to deliver these in the most effective, efficient ways to meet the needs of participants, and how we ensure financial stability and growth.
When Kathryn is not busy working, she likes to balance her lifestyle with gentle activities like yoga and swimming. She also practices mindfulness and meditation.
“I’m a bit of a hippy at heart, which is something people tend not to expect from me!” she says.
