2024 Women to Watch
This year we showcase over 80 South Australian women to watch throughout the year. From business, to careers, arts to science. This year’s selected women highlight the depth and diversity of the women in our state and also the vast array of opportunities to develop a business or career in South Australia. Find our more about our inaugural Women to Watch initiative here.
I want to lead the community into being more connected and this year I have started to run small events, networking, peer supervision and business provider catchups, so we can connect and collaborate more in our Southern community. I am a very passionate individual and when I see injustice I will speak up about it. I am grateful for every opportunity I have had so far in my career, and I look forward to continuing to meet others and continue to be inspired by those around me. I am currently providing 1:1 social work, 1:1 counselling, Level 2 support coordination and I write functional capacity assessments. I am an avid researcher so report writing is an enjoyment for me as I love finding evidence and gathering accurate information in a trauma informed way from participants for their reports.
// Favourite inspirational quote
‘When you know better you do better’ Maya Angelou
This has been a favourite quote of mine for a long time, as it encapsulates what reflection is and the importance of always being willing to learn and grow as an individual, and then that manifests in the work we do as well.
// Let’s get to know you
In my personal life I am a parent of a child and a wife. Our whole family have been diagnosed Autistic and ADHD, and my husband and daughter have a PDA profile. I care for them both. Our daughter homeschools due to challenges in schools supporting her appropriately and I run my business Southern Social Work and Counselling Services. There is always a lot to balance, and it can be difficult to find time to do it all, but I am always motivated by my passion to support my community and transfer my knowledge to others. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Coeliac disease, chronic fatigue, chronic pain and POTS in 2023. These diagnoses have some days completely stopped me from being able to think straight, stand up and even speak, but I have worked with professionals in my life, to continue to work on finding a balance, so I am able to continue working and providing a genuine service.
Before I got into social work, I worked in event management. I studied a Bachelor of social work at Victoria University and during that time my husband was diagnosed with Autism. I had never heard of it before, but after years of him not knowing how to get out of his high anxiety and depression space he constantly lived in, which was causing him significant stress daily. Finally, we had some answers as to why he struggled so much in life. After I finished the BSW, I was offered a job, however after my husband’s diagnosis, he was not coping and so we moved back to Adelaide to get support from our families. During that time, I tried to obtain a social work role, but it was difficult as I did not have specific experience, and I ended up working at Centrelink. My husband found his career path in support work and mentoring and specialises in music mentoring.
During this time our daughter was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 4. We thought getting a diagnosis would really support her with school. Unfortunately, school was not successful for her over her 5 years of going part time, and in 2023 after significant issues, she chose to homeschool and is now currently in year 5.
In 2019 I worked at a support worker organisation as a manager. I enjoyed leading teams and providing supervision to support workers. In 2021 I studied a Graduate Certificate of positive behaviour support and graduated. I was then a subcontractor for a while until I decided I wanted to run my own business. I have worked in the NDIS industry for 6 years. I decided to start my business, Southern Social Work and Counselling Services after seeing a gap with social work and counselling services in the South of Adelaide and wanting to provide a truly genuine service.
I have been running my business since 2022 and it has been slowly growing. I have been careful to not get too big that we lose that community connection focus. I now have two subcontractors who work alongside me and have provided the time and space for social work students who are wanting to learn more about the NDIS industry. Our key at SSWCS is lived experience. I want to lead the community into being more connected and this year I have started to run small events, networking, peer supervision and business provider catchups, so we can connect and collaborate more in our Southern community. I am a very passionate individual and when I see injustice I will speak up about it. I am grateful for every opportunity I have had so far in my career, and I look forward to continuing to meet others and continue to be inspired by those around me. I am currently providing 1:1 social work, 1:1 counselling, Level 2 support coordination and I write functional capacity assessments. I am an avid researcher so report writing is an enjoyment for me as I love finding evidence and gathering accurate information in a trauma informed way from participants for their reports.
// What makes you a Woman to Watch for 2024?
As a social worker it is important for me to stand up for others who may not be able to themselves. This may mean providing knowledge I have, so they are able to communicate their needs, I work through using empowerment and strengths perspective, through sharing resources and working alongside them to have a more positive quality of life. I am focused on building Southern Adelaide to be collaborative and connect, also making others aware of trauma informed and aware care, and neuroaffirming practice with an inclusive training I am currently putting together. I always aim for those that we support are receiving a genuine person who is there for the right reasons and supporting them and/or their family when they most need it.
// What are you most looking forward to in 2024?
I am looking forward to meeting new people at my events and continuing to provide a great and genuine service. I am dedicated to always learning and growing as a person, reflecting on my practice. I am also looking forward to finding a better work/life balance. I am excited to continue to write functional capacity assessments as I enjoy this part of my job.
// What would being a Woman to Watch for 2024 mean to you?
Being a woman to watch in 2024 would mean to me that I could possibly connect with some other fantastic women to watch. I am all about making connections and enjoying others’ stories and celebrating their achievements. I have worked hard to get where i am today, without skimping on being genuine, so this means a lot to me to be nominated as I do not expect anything from what I do, but I am so grateful for being recognised.
// What would you like to see for the future of South Australian women and girls?
I would like to see more support for parents, especially those who have children who are disabled, or families who are disabled. This has been a huge setback in my ability to be more successful as I have had to pause a lot due to having very very little support in my life. In supporting parents, especially mothers, children are then supported. If the mother is not supported, then there is a higher risk of burnout. Providing support to families in a very holistic approach so the mothers are able to be themselves and not just a carer and even enjoy life.
Get in touch with Rachel:
LinkedIn: Rachel Allen
Website: www.sswcsadelaide.com
Check out all of the incredible Women to Watch for 2024 here as their profiles are uploaded throughout the year.
To become an SA Woman Member, check out our Membership Options here.
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