Meet Alex, a site manager for several of Sylvanvale’s Supported Independent Living (SIL) homes in the Sutherland Shire. Site management at Sylvanvale is a complex, yet incredibly rewarding role, requiring careful consideration of every aspect of support for people living with disability who rely on us to empower them to live the life they choose.
Since becoming a site manager, Alex has brought consistency, compassion, and thoughtful leadership to the teams supporting individuals in our SIL homes. Beginning his career as a support worker with specialist expertise in complex and challenging behaviours, he quickly became known for his calm presence and his ability to guide the people we support through difficult transitions with dignity. His early work at one of our homes in Jannali set the foundation for the leadership he now brings to the sites he manages.
Understanding People, Not Just Processes
One of Alex’s defining strengths is the way he approaches welcoming new individuals to our SIL homes. For him, it is never a tickbox exercise. He sees annual health checks as an important way of getting to really understand the history and preferences of the people he supports and so invests as much time as he can to ensure every detail is in place. This understanding is integral to helping individuals settle smoothly into their new home.
A powerful example is Nadi, who arrived from an environment that didn’t meet her needs. Although bringing her into one of our SIL homes in Barden Ridge came with risks, Alex’s understanding of her temperament led him to believe she would thrive in a quieter, more stable environment. The early days were challenging, but with patience and the right support, Nadi has since flourished.
Guidance Through Complex Change
In 2025, Alex faced one of his most significant leadership challenges: the changing dynamics at one of the sites he was managing in Menai. After one of the people he supported passed away, and with ongoing issues making the environment increasingly reactive and difficult to manage, a difficult decision was made to close the site down. Ultimately it was the right decision for each of the individuals living there, and Alex played a big role in helping each person to transition into other Sylvanvale homes where their new environments would better support their wellbeing:
- Greg moved to a home in Bangor, where he has settled well.
- Canaan moved to a home in Sutherland—a crucial change, as her home in Menai could not accommodate the new wheelchair she required. Her new residence now provides the accessibility she needs and deserves.
- Alex (one of the residents) moved to an apartment in Miranda, where he now has his first experience of living without a housemate. The location is finally close enough to public transport for him to travel independently for the first time in his life, achieving a long‑term personal goal.
Each move not only resolved practical challenges but significantly improved each person’s quality of life.
Support Through Renovation and Renewal
In a similar vein, Alex recently supported the individuals living in the site he currently manages in Menai through an extensive renovation process.
Over four months, he organised for everyone living in the home to temporarily relocate to a house in Illawong, transferring every item from the original site while ensuring their day-to-day experience remained as familiar and comfortable as possible.
He also sought input from each person to determine what upgrades they needed. Examples included:
- Installing soft‑close drawers to reduce the temptation and sensory satisfaction of slamming cupboards, which had previously led to damage
- Removing a gate installed in the kitchen, easing anxiety around mealtimes and giving everyone unrestricted access
- Making the bathrooms more accessible to meet current and future needs
The transition to the temporary home went smoothly. And when the individuals returned to the newly renovated environment, many of the behaviours previously exhibited significantly reduced or stopped altogether.
While the road can be complex and sometimes bumpy, Alex will be the first to tell you how rewarding it is to support individuals to live the life they choose in homes that are tailored to their needs. He has loved getting to know each and every person he has the pleasure of supporting and is constantly on the lookout for ways to better meet their support needs.
