Writing About Yourself is Weird… Jordan Dickson.
With a collection of expanding registered practitioners, I guess it helps to know what we are all about as humans!
I’m Jordan Dickson, I don’t want to be a founder, a CEO, a clinical lead, a principle, any of those, I just want to be helpful to others.
Personally; keen surfer, keen kiter, keen snowboarder. Likes video games, comics (have you read invincible!), rock climbing! 2 cats.
Weird things: I like to go the the library to get CD’s and listen to the whole thing!If you are calling and can’t find me, best guess is that I’m in the ocean! (I’ll call you back!)
Professionally: A developing and ongoing relationship with the systems and governance of the NDIS since its pilot rollout July 2013 (wow 10 years+).
Forever grateful for a change of career to meet a wonderful bunch of participants in early service delivery that taught me that quality of life and making the most of everyday is for everyone! Always a person centred supporter.
From entry at the support worker care level to evolutions to house management, day programs, STA coordination, Team leads etc, an important skills pathway that never forgets that while the participant is forefront, the supporters of the participant and the teams that surround them daily are often the influencing catalyst for quality of life increases.
While working in the USA, with complex participants in the equivalent SIL space, I was trained the process behaviour support (which the NDIS now calls Improved Relationships). Understanding behaviour as communication, and the environmental influences on behaviour, in conjunction with a participants ability to make change per their function remains at the forefront of practice.
Human rights first delivery in best practice (per RP), Training for stakeholders to support participants, Combined support advocacy, and working with the participants direct in their environments are the cornerstones of my practice for “Improved Relationships” (That’s not just the focus with me and the participant, but everybody in the participants support circle BTW.)
I have been an NDIS Behaviour Practitioner for 5 years, and the NDIS recognise my skills in the capability framework at the advanced practitioner level (P0003529).
There’s all sorts of certificates to validate the practice:
Graduate Certificate in Special and Inclusive Support
Cert IV Training and Assessment
Association for Behavioural Contextual Science
Managing Challenging Behaviour etc,
But that’s not what matters, what matters is how I go about assisting YOU.
Our Client Representative – Lachlan Strange
Nothing without the input from the people we represent.
Lachlan Strange displays a strong determination to ensure that participants in the scheme, and particularly participants working with Manana are represented and accounted for in the company direction, planning and feedback.
Lachlan has a strong interest in it, because: he’s a participant too!
Lachlan knows the importance of making choices and having your say compared to having others make choices for you. He knows that as an adult, and a person with both complex disability diagnosis and mental health, he still deserves a say. He sees that for himself and it’s a great thing!
Lachlan understands the importance of the Improved relationships and behaviour support role and the help that it can offer to assist with services and interactions in making the NDIS teamwork.
Lachlan also understands his participant rights, his rights to consent, and his rights to choose support to suit his goals and outcomes – he has lived it.
That makes it only right that he’s included on our board to help us serve people like him.
P.S. Lachlan sees and edits all this, he’s approved it!
Clare Wright ( Alter Ego: Woo Woo Wong)
Hi, I’m Clare – your friendly neighbourhood Behaviour Support Practitioner!
I’ve been working in the NDIS sector since it first rolled out in Newcastle, wearing many hats along the way. I started as a support worker in community and SIL settings, transitioned into managing SIL houses (which I absolutely loved), and even did a stint as a Coordinator of Supports before finding my passion in behaviour support, where I’ve been focused for the past two years.
My special skill set lies in connecting with people, listening deeply, and being okay with the uncomfortable – it’s all part of helping people grow and thrive. When I’m not working, you can find me running (probably too much), doing CrossFit, or trying out new challenges. I also love watching anime and playing my Nintendo Switch – can I get any cooler? My dog, Axel, is my best mate and an anchor for my mental health – because animals are just that special.
I’m here to support you, be part of your journey, and help you reach your goals, one step at a time.
Hi, I’m Axel – Clare’s loyal companion and best mate!
I’m turning 7 on the 22nd of June 2025 (mark your calendars!), and I’m loving life as Clare’s (or as I call her, Mum) friendly sidekick. I’m always up for a walk, especially along my favorite route that I insist we take most days. Ear rubs and pats? Yes, please—I can never get enough! And while I’m a good boy most of the time, I have a little secret: I like to sneak a taste of the cat’s food when Mum isn’t looking.
Mum takes amazing care of me, always reminding me that I’m the best boy and tucking me into bed when she gets up at ridiculous hours (like 5 AM!) to head to the gym or for a run, cutting into my precious beauty sleep. Life with Mum is the best, and I’m so lucky to be her fur baby.
Tom Patterson (AKA: Cyber; wont use public Wifi.)
Hey, I’m Tom, an easy-going and friendly guy who’s all about enjoying life with the people I meet along the way.
When I’m not at work, you’ll usually find me kicking a ball around, hanging out with my young kid, or slurping down a strawberry thick shake (seriously, it’s an obsession). I love staying active, I’m slightly obsessed with football (okay, very obsessed), and I believe a little humour and warmth go a long way in making life a whole lot better! I bring a gentle and respectful approach alongside a hint of light-heartedness to create a space where even the toughest of conversations feel that little bit easier. If you are looking for someone who makes you feel heard and valued, I’d love to connect!
In a work sense, I bring my love of team work to the game of Behaviour support, I’m a focused skills builder and works closely with my crew to make sure they are always dribbling the ball up the pitch towards the goal. I pretty versatile in all positions depending on the client’s need, working from the wing (direct assistance), the goal (NDIS compliance and standards) or from the bench (with other supporters).
If only I was recruited by an actual football side, but I have glass ankles!
Amanda Teasdale (An expert on Chicken Round ups?!?)
As knowledgeable as she is, Mandy wouldn’t write her own bio!
She’s not a self promoter, but she is a veteran in the NDIS behaviour support space.She won’t show it on meeting as she is really nice, but she’s a force when it comes to understanding the holistic approach to support and behaviour impacts as a function of greater environment.
Mandy has always, always been an advocate of clients first to the point she will even get in (a little) bit of trouble defending the rights of participants. She’s not afraid of pushing the system to respond to her clients needs, and has mixed it with the big and small organisations, the mixed system teams (Health, DCJ, OOHC), the registered and unregistered mobs, and families – Mandy thrives to support families!
A real experienced and mixed modality operator, there’s truly not a NDIS support space that can shock her, or that she can’t apply herself towards to supporting her participants.
From supporting interpersonal relationships between participants in love, support of health with comorbid A&D + mental health clients, working towards accommodation and supported placements for kids at risk of harm and a sprinkle of “lets get it done now, get in, I’m driving!” approach. She can cover it.
Outside of the game, she adores her little sidekick grandson and puppy baby equally, has recently become an avid ocean fisherwoman, and sneaks away to her cabin at most chances, once she’s done the grass back on the farm which she calls “vodka mowing” or “daiquiri yard maintenance”.
If you’re looking for someone with the holistic lens of the total NDIS and the impact of behaviours on support who’s down to earth and is easy to relate too – she’s a valued insight for any team.
Rhiannon Allison (Queen of Admin, Assassin of Overdue billing)
Technical expert NDIS
Meet Rhiannon, Manana’s very own NDIS billing and claims guru! She’s our resident expert when it comes to navigating the ins and outs of financial admin, making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. She’s been working in the NDIS space for a long time, so she knows the claims and payments process like the back of her hand.
Rhiannon is a quiet force of nature, always working diligently to untangle tricky payment issues and rectify billing errors. She’s quick to solve problems, even if it means putting in extra hours to get the job done right. With Rhiannon on your side, you can rest assured that your accounts are in the most capable hands.
Beyond her billing brilliance, Rhiannon is a self-confessed gamer girl with one of the warmest personalities you’ll ever encounter. She’s a huge motivator for our team, always ready to support and offer a kind word. She’s also sharp as a tack and not much gets past her. She’s probably got the answer or knows who to ask! You’ll often find her doing little thoughtful acts of gratitude for others, quietly brightening everyone’s day and pretending she had nothing to do with it!
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We have a wonderful team of unique humans Ready to support you! Come, explore and find the best fit!
