Meet Ali, Lead Support - Shapes & Transitions

I would describe myself as energetic, positive and honest.

I have always worked with Children and Young People, however before joining Diverse Abilities in September 2025, I was an officer on Cruise Ships as the Youth Manager for Carnival UK. Working with complex needs and administering medication was new to me, however most of my skills and experience were transferable and I was extremely committed and willing to learn and expand my knowledge regarding helping children & young people and their families but at the same time always looking at opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.

My day-to-day role is flexible and as a Lead Support I have a range of roles within my job but, most importantly having the Children and Young People’s best interests at heart and enabling the CYP with physical and learning disabilities I support to reach their full potential and having experiences in life that we all should have access to. I provide domiciliary support to children in the local area, I lead shifts at Transitions as well as maintaining and updating care plans of my link children and contributing to their continuing development. I lead a team of Complex Care Assistants with transparency and empowerment, ensuring their voices are heard and their opinions are seen, working with an open culture, monitoring performance, delegate and support with tasks.

My biggest challenge has been being out of my comfort zone surrounding medication and being able to learn and confidently dispense and administer for various Children and Young People I support daily. Now it’s just second nature.

Since starting with DA there has been lots of memorable moments; from meeting and getting to know each child or young people individually as well as the team and feeling part of the ‘family’, to trips out, Christmas parties and celebrating milestones however BIG or small. Having said that… I have a 15,000FT skydive booked for September 2026 which also marks my 1 year with the company, so I feel that’s going to be a pretty special memory for me! My challenge of free-falling will last for only 60 seconds, but for the Children and Young People I support and their families, their challenges can and will be for a lifetime!

I have an extremely positive work ethic and incredibly driven, currently I’m seeing what’s in store for me at DA and will see where that takes me.

My advice for new starters would be just be yourself, don’t be afraid to get stuck in and be involved. I’m a firm believer that teamwork makes the dream work, as long as all is transparent and working towards the same goals. The more passion and drive you show for the people you support, just means that you have their best interests at heart because at the end of the day that’s why we all do what we do. It’s for them!