Getting to know Spear & Arrow
Spear and Arrow is a Dubbo based personalised Behaviour & Therapeutic Support Service Specialising in Autism + Trauma.
With over 20 years experience in education supporting learning, disabilities and well-being, we’re looking forward to bringing our expertise to the Central West.
The reason behind launching Spear and Arrow, is due to the fact that Chantelle discovered a huge and concerning gap in the market. This gap is the need for specialised and quality services that are personalised to each individual person, instead of using a one size fits all approach.
At Spear & Arrow we break the mould.
Meet the Spear & Arrow Team
Channy & Max
For those of you who don’t know the faces behind Spear and Arrow yet, meet Chantelle & Max Ryan.
Every child deserves to reach their full potential. And that potential is often far beyond what many people can see. In pursuit of this brighter future, some need more specific and tailored support. Spear & Arrow was created to provide just that. We know how it’s usually done, but we’re breaking the mould. With years of experience in education and disability services behind her, our founder Chantelle saw a better way.
‘Goals’ and ‘outcomes’ aren’t words we throw around because we have to. The foundation of our work is a deep understanding of the things that will make a real difference to the children and young people we work with. We work toward realistic, achievable outcomes, and know that small, daily actions lead to big changes.
It’s hard, consistent work. The type of work that we don’t shy away from. And we do it all in the pursuit of our mission: to be the first paediatric clinic in Australia to reach the hearts and souls of the communities in which we live and work.
Our mission is backed by our promise, to not out-grow our connection to community and the individuals we work with. We will stay true to holistic, compassionate, and person-centred approaches.
We don’t have a magic wand, but we have something just as useful: perseverance and compassion.
It can be a long journey. We’re here to walk it with you.
Chantelle - Behaviour Support Practitioner
Chantelle has an excessive passion to leave her mark on the world, by making a difference in the lives of people she is lucky enough to work with. Building long lasting relationships with families and children allows Chantelle to achieve fantastic outcomes to empower them to live their lives to the absolute fullest.
Fun Facts about Chantelle
- Chantelle leads a big blended family with her husband of 9 children – 6 boys and 3 girls. She loves the organised chaos that comes with having a large family filled with love
- A lover of tea, a lover of books and a lover of Prosecco, you might find Chantelle singing along to a top Madonna tune. Whatever she is doing – she will be the one wearing Pink!
“Kindness is free, sprinkle it everywhere”
Whilst working in the Education industry, Chantelle decided to further her studies to enable her to provide a mobile base service which offers relevant and responsive support for her clients and their support networks.
Chantelle has a special place in her heart for helping families and children struggling with Autism and Trauma. Working in Special Education and Social Work has allowed Chantelle to build her experience beyond belief to enable her to showcase great lifestyle changes for clients she has worked with. Seeing these changes, allowing her clients to meet their goals and enhance their lives and the incredible affects they can have for her clients, is what has made Chantelle grow so fond of this industry and the work it allows her to undertake.
Currently Chantelle holds a Bachelor of Primary (Special Education), a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behaviour Analysis and is currently studying her Master of Social Work (Professional Qualification). She has over 20 years’ experience working in a range of positions throughout Central West NSW for the NSW Department of Education, and has recently worked as a Therapeutic Specialist providing Positive Behaviour Support to children in ITC-SD Intensive Therapeutic Care – Significant Disability.
Chantelle’s experience doesn’t stop there, she also has extensive experience and knowledge working with First Nations People and others with diverse backgrounds. This allows Chantelle to work and connect with a range of families and children from various walks of life.
Macy - Practice Manager
Macy brings a calming presence to the team. She is the glue that holds the office and team together and keeps us all on the right path.
Macy is organised, creative, has a great eye for detail and loves her role of helping everyone by getting the tough stuff behind the scenes done.
Fun facts about Macy
- Loves Comedy/Action Movies
- Follows Sydney Roosters
“You’ll always end up where you’re meant to be”
Alex - Service Manager
Alex brings knowledge and experience to the team along with his enthusiasm. Alex is creative, he brings ideas and always has a solution for everything.
Alex loves providing the best support for the Spear & Arrow team including all participants, he pushes himself to the best of his ability. Alex is a proud and confident member of Spear & Arrow.
Fun facts about Alex
- Loves spending time with his kids
- Follows Canterbury Bulldogs
“People say a lot, so I watch what they do”
Lisa - Behaviour Support Practitioner
Lisa has a wealth of knowledge of experience in a variety of areas. Lisa has a background in community services working with clients from new-borns to adults, running young parenting groups, youth centres and community centres before moving into the education field. Lisa spent 6 years working as a Primary School Teacher before moving into Early Childhood Education and Care for 12 years. She then felt the pull to return to community services and worked in Out Of Home Care ITC-SD.
She is highly passionate about enhancing the lives of children and young people and supporting them to achieve their best outcomes. Lisa enjoys meeting new people and learning about their journey.
Fun facts about Lisa
- Lisa loves spending time with her family, including her two pet pigs
- Follows the Newcastle Knights
“Dare to Dream”
Madison - Behaviour Support Practitoner
Madison has an ambition to help those around her so they can live their life to the fullest, she gets motivated to always deliver the best services she can. Madison loves to learn new things whilst being adaptable and flexible to changing circumstances. Madison has Cert IV in Allied Health Assistance, Cert IV in Disability Support Work, Cert IV in Mental Health and Cert IV in Education Supports.
Madison enjoys working with a range of diverse participants and families, as well as working with a supportive team who genuinely enjoy making a difference.
Fun facts about Madison
- Madi enjoys going on spontaneous adventures with her daughter
- Currently studying her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
“Everything happens for a reason”
Pooja - Behaviour Support Practitoner
Pooja has a Masters in Psychology and a Bachelor of Honors in Psychology. Pooja is committed to providing expert support, she is highly trained with a strong background in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) therapy.
Pooja has a passion for helping individuals with a variety of behavioural challenges, she brings knowledge and compassion to Spear & Arrow Therapeutic.
Fun facts about Pooja
- Pooja is a fan of Cricket
- Pooja has worked in Dubai for 6 years
“Stay positive, be happy”
Gemma - Key Worker / Early Interventionist
Gemma has over 25 years of experience in Early Childhood Education and care with a Bachelor of Teaching – Early Childhood Education. She is committed to providing guidance, growth and helping you build a strong foundation for a brighter future.
Gemma is driven by genuine love for working with families and children to ensure they reach their fullest potential.
Fun facts about Gemma
- Gemma loves to be in the kitchen cooking and outside in the garden.
- Gemma also loves to spend time with her husband and her dog.
“You don’t always need a plan, sometimes you just need to breathe, trust, let go and see what happens”
Sarina - Support Worker / Team Leader
Sarina has fantastic organisational skills and loves helping others achieve their goals. Sarina enjoys creating a bond and is always there for her participant’s as she always has the participants best interest at heart.
Sarina has years of experience in this role and is interested in learning new things.
Fun facts about Sarina
- Sarina loves spending time with her family & having a good laugh
- Sarina follows the Parramatta Eels
“Someone else out there has it worse off then me. I am happy to help anyone in need.”
Emma - Support Worker
Emma has a deep understanding of the challenges individuals face. Emma has a wealth of experience in providing compassionate care and support, she brings not only knowledge but also a commitment to making a positive impact on daily lives and ensures their goals are being achieved.
Emma loves having fun and creating a bond with her participants.
Fun facts about Emma
- Emma loves to be at the beach & has 3 beautiful sons.
- Emma follows the All Blacks rugby union team
“Assumption is the mother of all f*** ups”
Cameron - Support Worker
Cameron brings some years of experience working with youth and young adults to Spear & Arrow. He loves to guide and mentor participants to reach their goals to their full potential to also become a great leader, Cameron is enthusiastic and has a positive attitude towards professionalism and a desire to make an impact.
Cameron loves implementing our vision of what quality care is and to also
build lasting relationships with not only staff but also families to impact the community in a positive way.
Fun facts about Cameron
- Cameron’s dream job is to become a professional boxer
- Cameron follows the Cronulla Sharks
“If it was easy, everyone would do it”
Michelle - Support Worker
Shell is committed to providing exceptional care, support and guidance to help people achieve their goals and lead fulfilling lives, her mission is to empower and inspire the participant’s she works with ensuring they have the opportunity to participate in their communities.
Shell is passionate about making a positive difference, helping others brings her fulfilment not because she has to because she can.
Fun facts about Shell
- Shell loves singing her favourite songs while driving & dancing to loud music while cleaning
- Shell loves to relax while reading a book, and also enjoys hugs from her grandchildren
“Never underestimate the power of a touch, smile, kind word or listening ear. The smallest act of caring has the potential to turn a life around.”
Ryan - Support Worker
Ryan is a dedicated Support Worker who is new to the field but is absolutely loving every moment of it. Ryan is here to support, encourage and empower participant’s.
While Ryan is new to the field, his passion and eagerness to learn and grow continues.
Fun facts about Ryan
- Ryan is a chef
- Ryan follows the NRL Bulldogs
“It always seems impossible until it’s done”
Karen - Support Worker
Karen brings a positive attitude to every situation, aiming to make every day a little brighter. She loves to build strong relationships based on trust, respect and open communication with both participants and their families.
Karen always puts the well-being and happiness of her participant first.
Fun facts about Karen
- Karen has 4 kids and 10 grandkids, she also loves crafts
- Karen follows the Parramatta Eels
“A little bit of respect goes a long way”
Jarrod - Support Worker
Jarrod brings the laughs and the energy to the Spear & Arrow team. The loveable larrikin who always turns up with a smile and a joke. Jarrod loves hanging out with his clients. No matter their age, young or old, clients become your mates.
Jarrod is an Aboriginal man from Wiradjuri Country
Fun facts about Jarrod
- Jarrod is a huge fan of American hip hop Wu-Tang as well as being a Charlie Pride fan.
- You might find Jarrod watching movies based on real events eating homemade pizza in his spare time