pAul has been an intrepid explorer of solution-oriented and narrative ideas for two decades. These travels have included stays in a range of human service and community work settings in the field of: parenting and family work including working with folks effected by abuse; work with children and young people; personal and relationship counselling; work with folks living with disabilities and their families; and community training and development projects.

He has been involved in direct practice, service co-ordination, professional supervision, training and social work leadership. pAul’s interests lie in what it takes to create an environment that supports the rich and thoughtful development of more helpful stories, especially in the midst of a sense that there is only one unhelpful story to tell. pAul enjoys contributing to energetic and critical conversations with individuals, couples, families and organisations looking for new pathways through the long dark journeys that are often part of life and human service work. He has found that new ways of looking at problems and our initial responses to them almost always yield creative home-grown ideas for “rising to the challenge”. He continues to be most energised by direct involvement in significant change processes. His supervision and training work is imbued with this energy and with stories of recent practice. pAul has established a reputation for bringing creativity, calmness and a gently respectful humour to all of his work.

Amy has been committed to ways of working that bring about positive social change for two decades in a range of human service practice contexts. Her thinking has been influenced by experiences gathered in domestic and family violence, homelessness, family intervention, out of home care and the early childhood services sectors. Amy has enjoyed roles spanning from frontline practice work through to executive management in both state wide and national organisations, finding practice development work particularly captivating over the last decade.

Amy is energised by approaches that thoughtfully engage with the strengths and dignity of people. To this end, she is strongly influenced by response-based practice and the ways in which intentional and meaningful conversations can provide a foundation for exploring people’s capacity for change. Amy has an engagement style that aligns with strengths-based, solution focussed and participatory leadership methods – at all times aiming to balance empathy with a sense of fun.  She has significant experience in professional supervision and workplace training – specifically in the areas of strengths based practice, domestic violence and out of home care – as well as university lecturing. Amy’s continuing doctoral studies within public health shows her commitment to lifelong learning and advocacy, and her thesis aims to harness the advances that are rapidly occurring in Australia regarding violence against women and social change.

David is a social worker with over 30 years experience in community organisations, government agencies, universities and small business. During this time David’s roles have included counsellor, direct practice worker, team leader, manager, evaluator, facilitator, lecturer, tutor, consultant, researcher, business owner, supervisor and trainer.

His experience includes involvement in several ground-breaking research, capacity building and development projects within organisations and communities. For the last 15 years David has been a leader in the articulation and implementation of strengths and collaborative approaches within the Australian human services sector, providing a range of training, coaching, supervision and organisational consulting services. He has presented at many national and international conferences and delivered hundreds of workshops across Australia, New Zealand and Ireland. David has a persistent belief in the capacity and resilience of people and is inspired by the stories of initiatives taken by people in the face of difficult or unjust circumstances. He has embraced ways of thinking about change that emphasis multiple perspectives (stories), collaborative effort, appreciative foundations, compelling aspirations and constructive first steps. In his work with individuals, groups or organisations David seeks to create reflective, generative ‘spaces’ in which peoples curiosity, energies, values and aspirations come to the fore. Over the years David has become known for his passion, respectful approach, gentle thoughtfulness, clear practical ideas and playful engaging style.

Danni McDougall

Author, art therapist and senior mental health practitioner