Outlook Care
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Darren's Story
Years of hard work and the support of colleagues has allowed Darren Osborne, one of Outlook Care’s Home Managers, fulfil his full potential while doing the job he was made for.
Darren joined the organisation in 1996 as a Support Worker and has spent the past 12 years developing his skills and climbing the career ladder, gaining more and more qualifications along the way.
He has achieved all of this through his own dedication and hard work and has made sure that his progress has not been hindered by having dyslexia.
“I’m supported,” explained Darren. “If Outlook Care want me to do something, they make sure I have the support to do it. Plus, I have a special computer which helps as it has a program which reads words to me and when I speak into it, it types.”
Darren, who has a passion for supporting people with complex needs and challenging behaviour, is now the manager of a scheme in Romford for people with a learning disability. He also trains staff across the organisation on Positive Behaviour Management (PBM).
“While doing PBM, staff learn why some people display challenging behaviour and how to deal with it or intervene when necessary. I also assess schemes: if they have problems with people with challenging behaviour then I try to find the solution.”
“I like working with a client group where you can really see results. I like people who challenge the existing system!”
Darren would probably be the first to admit that he didn’t have the best academic career. “I have dyslexia – I don’t hear sounds the way other people do, so when I’m reading I don’t understand the sounds. I wasn’t supported at all at school. They didn’t know what dyslexia was – they thought I was a dunce!”
However, all has now changed. Darren will be starting University in late 2008. “I am starting a Diploma in Positive Behaviour Support at Canterbury University. I keep thinking: ‘I’m dyslexic, how am I going to do this?’ but I’m sure they will help if I need it.”
“I have to be tuned in and focused in order to learn and I have to be really passionate about a subject as I get bored easily.” So, it is just as well that this discipline is one of Darren’s passions, and he is looking forward to the new challenge.
“Without the support of Outlook Care, I probably wouldn’t have achieved this level – I wouldn’t be able to do it.”
