Surprises can be great in some circumstances, or terrible. Luckily for local Trainee Case Worker Jayden Townsend, being awarded Trainee of the Year at the New England Regional Training Awards a few weeks ago was the former.
Since 2022 the born and bred New England resident has been working diligently for Tamworth Family Support Service (TFSS) and by all accounts, excelling in the role.
Jayden says the award still came as a “big shock” though, leaving him scrambling to come up with a speech or something to say while accepting the award in front of his fiancé, his team, and trainer Hannah Parry.
“It was a humbling experience, I found out on the night. I had no idea it was coming. The young lady who won the entire thing last year, she was doing multi-million dollar contracts and other huge stuff like that,” he said.
“Honestly, I was not expecting it at all; but it was a welcome shock. I have a bit of imposter syndrome to be honest.”
Long term ambition fulfilled
Jayden has spent most of his life in Tamworth. Only two years ago he was finishing up his studies in plumbing and fire sprinklers.
However, he couldn’t shake the feeling he wanted to continue learning and work more within the community. Jayden says he had some ideas about what form this goal would take but was under the impression it might be beyond his grasp.
So when the chance to work as a Trainee Case Worker within the Family Preservation Team came up, he “jumped at the chance.”
“I’d always wanted to do this kind of work, and I think there’s a big need for it in today’s society but I wasn’t the best at school, for me, it was always one of those things where I thought it was going to be unobtainable,” he said.
“When I saw the traineeship opportunity, I went yep, I’m gonna do everything I can to try and get it, and it worked, plumbing was kind of my backup plan, this was always my main goal though, but I just didn’t think it was attainable.”
In his role with TFSS, Jayden works with families facing difficulties across the Tamworth and Gunnedah LGA. He supports them with early intervention, including parenting support, accommodation, budgeting and other services.
According to Jayden, his traineeship combines theoretical learning with firsthand insight into the barriers, adversities and challenges the community faces. He has found the combination of theory with practicality worked perfectly with his strengths.
“I’m a huge advocate for VET courses in particular because I think you learn way more on the job than you would ever in a classroom. I don’t think you can work with every person the same way, and I feel like you can’t get that experience unless it’s practical and on the job,” Jayden said.
“Every client I work with is completely individual. There is not one size fits all. Everybody has to be worked with in a way that suits them and their needs and ultimately results in them receiving the care they need.”
Plans to shake up the industry
In the future Jayden hopes to study for a Diploma of Community Services and is considering completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology or social work.
He says the goal is to stay long term in this industry, with the hopes of one day shaking a few things up, especially around the perception of kids from disadvantaged homes.
“I want to try and spearhead some changes within the entire industry around how people are viewed,” he said.
“I’m a huge advocate for the voice between the disadvantaged and those who are more well off. I want to make sure just because someone is disadvantaged, their voice is still being heard, especially children.”
For Jayden, this achievement would be the culmination of righting injustices, negative perceptions and stereotypes he witnessed while growing up.
“I think my group of friends growing up, some friends were in out of home care, I came from the total opposite. Seeing the contrast between how I was treated versus how people treated them, even teachers, was quite jarring,” Jayden said.
“I’m a big advocate for a trauma informed approach, looking into people’s past experiences and being able to utilise that to understand where they’re coming from and the reasons behind their behaviour.”
Top image: Jayden Townsend and his supervisor Bryarne Bielefeld at the NSW New England Training Awards. (Photo: Supplied)
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