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Josh Warren is one of the Coastal Connect Independence Support Professionals who provides services to participants to increase their life skills including how to live safely, be comfortable within themselves and get out into the community to enjoy the things they want to do.
At the age of 17, Josh’s family became state-certified caregiver under the Foster care system. Josh and his family went through a rigorous interview process over a period of 6 months before being deemed suitable. Josh’s upbringing was always in a caring and nurturing environment where household members were supported to do their very best at their chosen task. Over the 7 years that Josh’s family were providing foster care, they took in 12 children at different times all from different backgrounds. Josh gained valuable knowledge and skills through this process which also included supporting people displaying challenging behaviours. This was done through problem solving with the person but most of all supporting each other. This has assisted Josh to become open minded, supportive and to eventually pursue a career in the Disability Sector.
Josh started as a Disability Support Worker in 2019 with Interchange Shoalhaven. Over that period, he has built quality relationships with all of the participants he has been engaged to provide supports.
In Josh’s spare time, he enjoys spending time with my wife Bianca and our soon to be one-year-old son Levi. They love the outdoors and are keen to visit the beach and go camping regularly. Bianca and Josh both go to the local gym at least 4 times per week and strive to stay fit and healthy.
Josh is inspired when he sees people achieve above and beyond what they thought they were able to. This can be something small such as putting shoes on the correct feet to something big like standing up on a surfboard at the Disability Surfing even held in Mollymook each year.
Josh has always been ready to lend a helping hand. At school he was part of a mentoring program to get younger pupils enthusiastic to read books. He was part of the volunteer helpers who set up and took down equipment for school athletic carnivals. He was an at home mentor to a number of foster children, helping them to learn the basics in family living doing things such as sharing, personal hygiene, helping out around the home but best of all how to have fun.
In his current role Josh ensures participants do different things that make them happy, for example attend art and craft sessions. Josh also maintains a few supplies on hand to have an ad hoc session. He carries a soccer ball and a football in his car at all times just in case the participant is keen to get outside to play as well as increase their motor skills. This has also been a positive way to develop relationships and rapport with people he works with.