Staff spotlight: Alicia Johnston

What is your current role and what does it involve day to day?

I am the Acting Carer Support Services Manager. Day to day I provide senior support to the Team Leaders and Family Services Practitioners. I also work within the Family Services Leadership Team.

What drew you to working with BaptistCare and how long have you been working at BaptistCare?

Two and a half years, however, I used to work in the BaptistCare office when I worked in a different organisation. I really enjoyed the supportive and positive staff and culture which is what drew me to working here.

What do you like about working with BaptistCare and in the Community Services/Carer space?

The way staff continually look for the things kids and families do well, working to amplify the voices of parents and carers for the benefit of kids.

What led you to work in the Carer space?

I am helping out while the manager is on leave, and I am very excited to be working closely with the Foster and Kinship Team.

Did you always want to work within the community services space and what are some other jobs you’ve performed in your career?

I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my degree but I am very happy I ended up in the family service space!

I have worked as a Family Violence Response worker for another NGO interstate, served as a Practice Manager at Child Safety, and worked as a bartender while attending university.

Can you share a particularly special work day/customer interaction you’ve had recently?

I have recently had the privilege of supporting a worker in the North West who has done some incredible work with one of our carers. The situation is very complex, as they often are, with some big challenges that have made us worried about safety.

Through it all the practitioner has listened to the kinship carer, advocated for them, had conversations where she and the carer didn’t have the same viewpoint, and kept the focus on the child and household.

The carer’s feedback is that they felt heard, respected and supported by the worker who has only been working with the family for a few months. Although we don’t know what will happen, it looks like it will be a positive ongoing relationship for the entire household, which is why we do what we do!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A doctor.

Can you tell us two surprising things about yourself?

I went bungee jumping in Bali and I recently learned to ride a motorbike. 

What is your favourite book and/or movie?

I don’t really have a favourite anything but I enjoy a fast-paced Matthew Reilly novel. Finding Nemo is a movie that I’ve seen many times and still enjoy! ?

Please complete this question: my favourite weekend would include…

Relaxing at the beach with amazing weather, good friends and family, and a delicious seafood spread.

What are two things on your bucket list?

Travel to Europe and learning to play guitar.

If you could sit next to someone at a dinner party, who would it be and why?

I honestly don’t know! Someone with funny stories that would make me laugh ?