Isabella Tassi is one of four 2025 genU Allied Health Graduate Program participants currently immersed in a range of diverse learning opportunities to gain practical experience delivering high-quality community services.

Isabella joined Ruvimbo, Cody, and Dakshita in the program earlier this year on their exciting journey of development. 

On reflection, Isabella’s experience so far has been “life-altering, enlightening and fulfilling”, as she delves into the world of Allied Health as a Behaviour Support Practitioner. 

Isabella shares her insights and outlines the profound impact the program has had on her in the Q&A below.      

genU Allied Health Operations Manager Lyndal Rickard said it had been an absolute pleasure to watch the graduates approach their roles at genU with such enthusiasm and motivation.  

“At this point in the program, our graduates have caseloads and are actively working within the role they are employed to undertake, heading out into the community and working directly with their participants and support networks,” she said.  

One example of community connection was Dietitian Cody recently conducting a ‘gut health’ information session for a large group of ageing clients at the Eric Hart Centre in Lara. 

The next phase of the Graduate program is centred on instilling confidence and supporting each graduate to expand and continue thriving in the practical learning environment. 

“Our focus moving forward is ensuring development of skills and knowledge, allowing each graduate to become experts in their roles,” Lyndal said.  

genU CEO Clare Amies said the Allied Health team had warmly welcomed the new starters, offering their usual inclusive support and helpful guidance.  

“We are very proud of our graduates and the positive impact they are making in the lives of people with disability and older adults,” Clare said. 

Q&A with Isabella Tassi

How are you enjoying the 2025 Allied Health Graduate Program?

It’s been an incredibly enriching experience, and the weeks are flying by!

Working as a Behaviour Support Practitioner in a structured graduate setting has given me the opportunity to apply theory into practice, with a strong foundation of support and reflective learning along the way.

What are a few of the main learnings you’ve gained?

The first four months have taught me the importance of balancing clinical knowledge with person-centred practice. I’ve learned to navigate complex behaviours with curiosity and compassion, and have developed stronger skills in assessments, report writing, and collaborating across multi-disciplinary teams. Albeit the wait for my suitability took three months, I still found observations and shadowing other practitioners critical. 

What’s been your favourite aspect of the program to this point?

Engaging directly with participants and their support networks. Being able to co-develop strategies that make a real difference in someone’s quality of life has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve also appreciated the reflective supervision and peer learning opportunities that are built into the program.

How would you describe the education you’re being provided and the knowledge you’re accumulating?

The education is grounded in evidence-based practice while still being very practical. I'm gaining deep insight into restrictive practices, trauma-informed care, and positive behaviour support frameworks. There’s a strong emphasis on ethical practice and CALD sensitivity, which I value highly.

What have been some of the main highlights?

These have included successfully submitting my first brief assessment, participating in my first care team meetings, and seeing how my strategies helped reduce incidents of harm. Another highlight has been the rapport building with the participants. I am used to practicing in crisis roles so having the time to get to know the family and vice versa has been refreshing. 

Has the learning experience met your expectations?

I anticipated professional development, but I didn’t expect to feel so valued within a team so early on. The structured learning, combined with flexible work settings, has been incredibly effective in building my confidence and competence. 

What has been a nice surprise learning or unexpected benefit or experience?

A nice surprise has been how much I’ve learned about myself – particularly around my capacity building and resilience. Supporting participants through behavioural challenges has required me to strengthen my own abilities that I had not practiced for the period I was studying.

Has the experience changed you or your viewpoint in any way, through the work you have done?

Absolutely. I’ve become more attuned to the impact of these behaviours of concerns on families and caregivers. This role has deepened my commitment to advocacy, especially for individuals whose voices are often misunderstood or unheard. I am new to the world of NDIS and navigating through it with a collective of experienced professionals most definitely enriches my viewpoint. 

What are you grateful for to this point of the program?

In particular, I would like to thank Behaviour Support Team Leader Andy Stephens and Allied Health Operations Manager Lyndal Rickard who have regularly made themselves available to any of my queries and continuous support. 

Also, the whole cohort within Allied Health at genU for their guidance, and the participants and families I’ve worked with – their trust and respect within this role is uplifting.