How Peter is helping us shape the JP Trusted Advisor team

At JP Trusted Advisor, our clients, their families and carers are at the centre of everything we do, including how we carefully select our team members. That’s why, Peter, who is one of our long-standing clients, is part of our interview panel and plays a vital role when we’re interviewing candidates to join our team. 

For Peter, being part of the interview process is more than a contribution, it is something he enjoys and is passionate about. His lived experience with the NDIS, gives him a unique perspective that helps us find the right people to join our team. And, for us, Peter helps give our clients a voice in shaping the team who are dedicated to supporting participants on their NDIS journey. It is a powerful way to ensure that the NDIS participants we support are heard and valued.

Peter’s human centred approach to interviews

When we asked Peter what he enjoys the most about being part of the interview panel, he doesn’t hesitate in answering.

“I see it from a different perspective, from the client’s point of view,” he says with passion and enthusiasm. “It’s a skill to watch people, I like to see if they will make eye contact and I also like to watch their facial expressions.”

Peter’s approach on our interview panel is thoughtful and observant. He looks beyond resumes and rehearsed answers, he pays attention to body language, eye contact and the way candidates respond to questions. Peter’s human centred focus ensures that our team members don’t just have the expertise and experience needed to be a support coordinator or specialist support coordinator, but are genuinely passionate about supporting people with disability.

“The very first question I ask them,” says Peter, “Tell us about yourself. I really like to find out about them as a person, their background, why they do the work they do, they tell us about their families and their interests. It’s good to find something we have in common.”

Jodi, JP Trusted Advisor’s Director and Specialist Support Coordinator says Peter’s values of putting people first align with our organisation. 

“I invited Peter to be part of our interview panel, because his values align closely with ours. He is a passionate advocate for NDIS participants and we value the perspective, insight and lived experience he brings to the interview process. His voice is an important representation of others in the community and his involvement reflects our commitment to including people with disability in meaningful ways. 

“During the interview stage, Peter takes the time to really get to know a person beyond their qualifications and experience. This helps JPTA ensure our team members are not only skilled but are also aligned with our organisation’s values.

“He has this knack of reading an applicant’s body language and their engagement levels with him as a panel member to help decide if they would be a good fit and if he would feel comfortable and want them as his own support coordinator.

“We greatly value his human-centred approach,” says Jodi. “Peter’s feedback and input as a panel member is equal to all panel members. His presence helps us shape our decisions by adding an essential layer of insight. Peter will often notice things we might miss. His feedback is invaluable, it helps us see candidates through the eyes of the people we support.

“Having Peter, a part of our team, I believe, not only strengthens the recruitment process for both JPTA and our candidate, but also helps to reinforce our commitment to keeping our client’s voices at the centre of everything we do,” says Jodi.

What does Peter’s involvement on the panel mean for our candidates?

“For potential team members meeting the JPTA team and Peter for the first during the interview stage, provides an opportunity for candidates to see that we value the needs and opinions of our clients,” says Jodi. “It helps them understand that they are joining a team that has been built on our values of excellence, friendliness, trust and honesty. 

“We have had some wonderful responses from applicants advising us not only that we are the first agency who has a person with disability on our interview panel, but ours is the type of organisation that they would want to work for,” says Jodi. “They have told us it shows them that we actually evidence the inclusion of people with disability from the onset.” 

Peter agrees and says his involvement helps find the right people to work alongside JP Trusted Advisor’s clients. 

“The difference that I hope my involvement on the interview panel makes to the way the JP Trusted Advisor team supports people with disability is getting the right people on the team who are qualified and finding out what they can bring. It is about getting the right fit. I put my heart and soul into the interview panel and I think it is a real skill to be able to interview people,” says Peter.

What does Peter’s involvement on the panel mean for our clients, their families and carers?

Peter’s involvement on our interview panel has a lasting impact, not just on our team and our organisation’s culture, but also for our clients, their families and carers. 

“By bringing a client’s perspective into the hiring process, Peter has been able to help set the tone for how new team members approach their work from day one. Peter’s questions, observations and feedback reminds us all why we do what we do and by listening to our clients and understanding their needs, we can help make sure their experiences drive how we deliver our services,” explains Jodi. 

“Given our participants are at the core of everything we do, having Peter involved in interviews makes the whole team very proud to be living our values through inclusion in this way.”

A stronger future together

Peter’s involvement on our interview panel is just one of the many ways JP Trusted Advisor is committed to creating a team that truly understands and supports people with disability.  

“By actively listening to our clients, their families and carers and including voices like Peter’s, we can ensure every decision we make stays connected to what matters the most, and that is the people we support each day, helping them to live their life the way they choose, while working towards achieving their goals,” says Jodi. 

Whether you’re a potential team member inspired by our values or someone looking for support coordination, specialist support coordination or consultancy services, JP Trusted Advisor is here to help.

If you have any questions, please speak to your JPTA Support Coordinator or Specialist Support Coordinator or email us.