Aura Tipene has been working at CAAPS for 5 years and has had the opportunity to transition through a few roles, along with being awarded staff member of the year 2019. Here is her story.
I started working for CAAPS in 2014 as the Children’s Worker, supporting children who come into the AOD program with their parents or caregivers. Working in this role provided me with much joy and the opportunity to support the children in various ways. This included; engaging in school, learning new skills, making friends, learning to socialise appropriately, learning protective behaviours and generally making positive changes and establishing routines. From there, I moved to the role of Administration Officer for the Healthy Families Department. I have learnt so much and continue to learn in this position. My main role is to provide administrative support to CAAPS staff and clients. From our Youth, AOD and Children’s programs, to supporting intake and other CAAPS administration roles. My current role is varied and I support Intake processes, organise the graduations for clients, and help arrange client recreational outings. I have come to realise that answering phones and taking messages is just a tiny percent of what I do and there is so much more involved in being an administration officer at CAAPS.
Every day is different and always has different challenges – this always keeps me on the go, and I learn something new every single day! I get the opportunity to see new clients enter the program from referral and then travel through the program all the way to their completion and Graduation. This provides me with the satisfaction of knowing that CAAPS is providing a great service to help people who want help.
It is the most amazing feeling to be a part of the support offered to clients, knowing the changes and challenges that they all face through the journey to recovery. Being a part of that and knowing that I am helping someone even if it’s a little, is one of the many reasons I like being a part of CAAPS.
Staff member of the Year was something I wasn’t expecting and I felt really surprised and delighted. I was really appreciative of the recognition, and feel excited to continue in to a new year.
