Our team

Ten people. Carefully matched. Never random.

The right support worker can change everything. We keep our team small and deliberate — and we'd rather say "not us" than send the wrong person.

Team, at a glance
10.

People, not profiles. Matched to you on personality, lived experience, and skill.

Counsellors2
Key Workers7
Lived‑experience advisor1
Lived experience overall100%
Why this matters

The right support worker changes everything.

At ELSS, we believe support is a relationship — not a roster. So every team member is matched to participants on personality, interests, lived experience, and skills. Not just availability.

We keep our team small and deliberate. If we don't have the right person for you, we'll say so — and help you find someone who is, even if it's not us.

Every team member holds, in full:

NDIS Worker Screening

Current clearance, verified at intake.

Working With Children

Active WWCC, every team member.

First Aid Certified

Renewed annually, mental-health first aid where applicable.

Public Liability

Full insurance — for every shift, every site.

Meet the founder

Start with Claire.

Founder · Counsellor · Key Worker

Claire Burton

Claire founded ELSS after twenty years across social work, case management, and counselling — and a lifetime of being on the other side of the desk, too. She works with adults and families navigating diagnosis, NDIS plans, school systems, legal navigation, and the daily weather of neurodivergent life.
Her practice is plain-words, lived-experience informed, and unhurried. If something doesn’t fit, she’ll say so. If it does, she’ll stay.
counsellingadvocacycomplex casesfamily systemsneurodivergent

“I started ELSS because the system should fit you — not the other way around.”

Plus Claire — nine on the floor

The whole crew.

Each card is a person — not a profile. If you'd like to chat to a specific team member, ask.

Megan

Counsellor · Key Worker

I’m a creative, people‑loving person — live music, art galleries, museums, sewing, anything crafty. I have an adult son with intellectual impairment, autism and ADHD, so I come at this work from both sides of the desk. I believe everyone has the right to a full, rich life.
Diploma of Counselling
counsellinglived experiencecreative

Kylie

Key Worker · Recovery Coach
I’m a safe, calm person who will always be honest with you. Dry sense of humour. I love learning more about who my clients actually are and assisting them to live a meaningful, fun life — and I advocate hard for the people I work with.
Cert IV Community Services
recovery coachc‑ptsdfasdadvocacy

Key

Key Worker · Community Access
Calm, patient, and very passionate about human rights. I love travel, live music, nature, and helping people achieve their goals. I’m especially good with folks who find getting out into the community hard because of anxiety.
Studying B. Psychology, Bond Uni
community accessanxietydrug & alcohol

Kat

Key Worker · Creative Supports

Anything crafty — crochet especially, but I’m open to anything creative. I’m a gamer, a keen cook, and I love music festivals and learning about other cultures (Japan is next). I have a strong sense of social justice.
Cert III Community Services · Cert II Visual Arts
creativegamingsocial justice

Jenson

Key Worker · Youth
Growing up with a brother with Down Syndrome shaped who I am — patient, empathetic, kind, always up for a good laugh. I’m a trans guy who loves the queer community and all its diversity. Live bands, performance art, food, and lounging with our chihuahuas.
BSc (Biophysics) · Cert IV Youth Work
youth workqueer affirmingmental health first aid

Hannah

Key Worker · Education
Calm, safe, and at my best working with young women. I love sports, travel, netball and pilates. I work at a high school as an Inclusion Support Teacher Aide and I’m passionate about everyone’s right to an education — confidence, study skills, the lot.
Studying B. Education (Secondary)
educationyoung womenstudy skills

Elijah

Disability Advisor · Lived Experience
I provide consultation around inclusiveness, internally and externally — I’m a paid speaker. Off the clock: comedian, performer, model and actor with Zebedee Acting. I’ve travelled Australia competing in wheelchair racing. Gold Coast Young Citizen of the Year.
Grade 12, Mudgeeraba State Special School
lived experiencespeakeradvocacy

Airlee

Key Worker · Cultural & Fitness
I’m an Indigenous Australian woman of the Wonnarua and Dharawal tribes. My culture, my fitness, time in nature and the relationships I build all matter deeply to me. I’m a caring person who loves helping people achieve their goals.
Studying B. Occupational Therapy · Dip. Sport
first nationsfitnessoccupational therapy

Carissa

Key Worker · Social Work Student
I work at a school as an inclusion support teacher aide, which I love. I’m from Sydney and grew up surrounded by people from every walk of life. Nature, pottery, anything creative. Social justice is non‑negotiable for me.
Studying B. Social Work · Dip. Community Services
social workinclusioncreative
How we match

Three steps. No shuffling.

We don't drop you onto the next available worker. Here's what happens between "hello" and your first session.

Step 01
Talk.

A free 30-minute chat — no scripts.

We listen for what you're navigating, what's worked before, and what's actively made things worse. Nothing's wasted.

Step 02
Match.

We propose one person — or say "not us".

Personality, lived experience, skills, availability. If nobody on our team is the right fit, we'll tell you and help you find someone who is.

Step 03
Meet.

A no-pressure first session.

If it clicks, we keep going. If it doesn't, we re-match — no awkwardness, no admin penalty. That's the whole deal.

Looking for a match?

Tell us who you are — we'll work out who fits.

A short note about who you are and what you’re navigating. We’ll come back with one or two suggestions, in plain words.