Valentine Chika-Ilo
Welcome to my E-portfolio
I am a purpose-driven professional currently studying a Bachelor of Business, majoring in International Business and Political Science, with a strong foundation in the health and community services sector. My background in mental health, disability, and aged care has given me valuable, real-world insight into the needs of vulnerable populations and the importance of systems that genuinely support people. As the founder of my own NDIS service, I have developed practical experience in leadership, service delivery, and navigating complex support systems. This has strengthened my commitment to creating meaningful change, not only at an individual level but also within organizations and broader systems. My career goal is to continue growing within the industry, stepping into management and leadership roles where I can influence service quality, innovation, and accessibility. I am particularly interested in expanding business operations across international contexts, combining my lived experience with my academic studies to contribute to more inclusive and effective global systems. In the long term, I aspire to enter the political space, where I can advocate for policies that better support vulnerable communities. Outside of work and study, I enjoy hiking and latino dancing — activities that keep me grounded, energised, and connected to community. I am driven by the vision of building a career that creates lasting impact, both locally and globally.
My Values
Compassion
Compassion
Compassion
I believe that genuine care is the foundation of everything. Every person I support deserves to be seen, heard, and treated with dignity, regardless of their background, diagnosis or circumstances. Compassion is not just a professional value for me; it is the lens through which I approach every interaction, every decision and every relationship.
Empowerment
Compassion
Compassion
I am committed to supporting people to discover and build on their own strengths. True support is not about doing things for people - it is about walking alongside them as they develop the confidence, skills, and connections to live the life they choose. I want every person I work with to feel more capable and more hopeful as a result of our time together.
Integrity
Compassion
Integrity
I hold myself to the highest standards of honesty, accountability, and ethical practice. Whether I am navigating complex NDIS systems, running my business, or advocating for policy change, I am committed to doing what is right - even when it is difficult. Trust is earned through consistent, transparent, and principled action.
Professional Experience
Carer | Bolton Clarke
2024 – Present | Adelaide, South Australia | Part-time
Timeline: Currently employed part-time alongside my independent business, bringing continuity of care experience within a large, established aged care organisation.
Task: To provide high-quality, person-centred care to elderly clients in their homes and residential settings, supporting their physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Delivering personal care support including hygiene, mobility assistance, and meal preparation
- Monitoring and responding to changes in clients' health and emotional wellbeing
- Maintaining accurate care records and communicating observations to the broader care team
- Building trusted, respectful relationships with clients and their families
- Adhering to Bolton Clarke's policies, procedures, and quality care standards
Founder & Support Coordinator | Reach and Recover
2022 – Present | Adelaide, South Australia
Timeline: Established Reach and Recover in 2022, growing the business from the ground up into an active NDIS service providing Support Coordination and Psychosocial Recovery Coaching.
Task: To build and operate a purpose-driven NDIS business that supports participants with disability, mental health challenges, and complex needs to access services, navigate systems, and achieve their personal goals.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Founding and managing all operations of an independent NDIS business
- Delivering Support Coordination to NDIS participants, connecting them with appropriate services and supports
- Providing Psychosocial Recovery Coaching to individuals living with mental health conditions, supporting goal-setting and community participation
- Completing Support Coordinator training to meet NDIS quality and competency requirements
- Managing referral relationships, service agreements, and participant documentation
- Maintaining compliance with NDIS Practice Standards and the Code of Conduct
- Providing direct support work to remain connected to participants' day-to-day experiences
Support Worker | Community Living Opportunities, Inc. (CLO)
2021 – 2024 | Adelaide, South Australia | Full-time
Timeline: Worked full-time for three years supporting individuals with disability, contributing to CLO's community-based support programs while concurrently developing Reach and Recover.
Task: To support people with disability to live independently, participate in their communities, and achieve their individual goals in line with their NDIS plans.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Providing daily living support and assistance with community access activities
- Supporting participants to develop independent living skills and build social connections
- Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams including allied health professionals and support coordinators
- Maintaining detailed progress notes and incident reports in line with organisational requirements
- Upholding a rights-based, person-centred approach to all support delivery
Support Worker | CARA
2019 – 2021 | Adelaide, South Australia | Full-time
Timeline: Employed full-time for two years in a hybrid support role, delivering disability support services across community and in-home settings.
Task: To assist individuals with disability to engage meaningfully in daily life, access community opportunities, and maintain their health and wellbeing.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Delivering person-centred support across a range of disability presentations
- Assisting with personal care, domestic tasks, and community participation
- Working collaboratively within a team and communicating effectively with family members and carers
- Identifying and reporting changes in participant wellbeing or support needs
- Contributing to a positive, inclusive, and safe support environment
Mental Health & Community Support Worker | DLI
2018 – 2021 | Full-time
Timeline: Worked full-time for three years in mental health and community support, building a strong foundation in psychosocial support and recovery-oriented practice.
Task: To provide community-based mental health support to individuals experiencing psychological distress, assisting them to stabilise, recover, and engage with their communities.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Supporting individuals living with mental illness to manage daily living and achieve recovery goals
- Applying recovery-oriented, trauma-informed approaches to all support interactions
- Assisting clients to access community resources, health services, and social supports
- Working as part of a multidisciplinary team to coordinate holistic support
- Maintaining confidential case records and contributing to team case reviews
Education/Qualifications
Bachelor of Business (International Business)
Griffith University | 2025 – Present
Knowledge: Developing a comprehensive understanding of international business environments, global trade systems, political economy, and cross-cultural management. Gaining academic grounding in organisational behaviour, business strategy, and policy frameworks that influence global markets.
Skills: Building capabilities in critical analysis, academic research, professional communication, and strategic problem-solving. Developing proficiency in applying business concepts to real-world contexts, including the community services and social enterprise sectors.
Abilities: Able to synthesise complex information across business and political science disciplines, engage with diverse perspectives, and apply learning directly to my professional practice as a business owner and service provider. Currently applying academic knowledge to strengthen the operational and strategic foundations of Reach and Recover.
Diploma of Mental Health
Challenge Institute | 2020
Knowledge: Gained in-depth knowledge of mental health conditions, psychosocial recovery frameworks, trauma-informed care, and the legislative and ethical frameworks governing mental health support in Australia.
Skills: Developed strong skills in therapeutic communication, crisis support, risk assessment, recovery planning, and collaborative case management. Built capacity to work effectively with individuals experiencing complex and co-occurring mental health presentations.
Abilities: Able to deliver recovery-oriented support that respects the dignity, autonomy, and lived experience of each individual. This qualification directly underpins my work as a Psychosocial Recovery Coach under the NDIS, where I support participants to set meaningful goals and build resilience.
Certificate III in Individual Support (Aged Care)
2012 – ongoing sector entry
Knowledge: Gained foundational knowledge of aged care principles, person-centred care frameworks, infection control, safe manual handling, and the rights and needs of older Australians.
Skills: Developed practical skills in delivering personal care, supporting mobility and daily living activities, communicating effectively with clients and their families, and maintaining accurate care documentation.
Abilities: Able to provide compassionate, respectful, and dignified support to elderly individuals across home-based and residential settings. This qualification established the professional and ethical foundations that continue to inform my approach across all areas of my work in health and community services..
Behind The Scenes of Reach and Recover
Upon relocating to Australia in 2011, I was eager to enter the workforce and contribute meaningfully to my new community. I identified aged care as a sector where I could make an immediate and genuine difference to vulnerable people's lives.
To build a formal foundation for a career in health and community services by completing a Certificate III in Individual Support (Aged Care), equipping myself with the knowledge and practical skills to deliver safe, dignified care.
I enrolled in and completed the Certificate III, studying person-centred care frameworks, safe manual handling, infection control, and the rights and needs of older Australians, while applying this learning directly in practical placement settings.
The qualification launched my career in health and community services, leading to over a decade of progressive experience across aged care, disability, and mental health sectors.
This was my first step into a purpose-driven career in Australia. It taught me the foundational values of dignity, respect, and compassion that continue to shape everything I do professionally.
After several years working in aged care and community support, I recognised that many of the individuals I supported had significant mental health needs that required deeper knowledge and a more specialised approach than my existing experience provided.
To formally develop my mental health knowledge and skills by completing a Diploma of Mental Health at Challenge Institute, equipping myself to deliver more effective, recovery-oriented support.
I enrolled in and completed the Diploma, studying psychosocial recovery frameworks, trauma-informed care, crisis support, risk assessment, and the ethical and legislative frameworks governing mental health practice in Australia.
The qualification directly enabled me to become a registered NDIS Psychosocial Recovery Coach, significantly expanding the scope and quality of support I can offer to participants living with mental illness.
This study reinforced that continuous learning is essential in community services. It shifted my practice from task-focused support to genuinely recovery-oriented, person-centred care.
In 2022-2023, I identified a gap in the NDIS market for culturally responsive, person-centred support in Adelaide. Many participants from diverse backgrounds were struggling to navigate complex systems without adequate guidance.
To establish Reach and Recover, an independent NDIS business delivering Support Coordination and Psychosocial Recovery Coaching, and to complete formal Support Coordinator training to practise credibly.
I registered the business, completed Support Coordinator training, developed service agreements, built referral networks, and ensured full compliance with NDIS Practice Standards and the Code of Conduct.
Reach and Recover has operated successfully since 2022, supporting participants to access services, navigate systems, and achieve meaningful personal goals.
This experience taught me that leadership means having the courage to build something from nothing in service of others. It deepened my commitment to creating inclusive, impactful support systems.
"Oji ọfọ ga ana." - Igbo proverb "He who lives by pious virtues need not be afraid of any harm." I am proud of my Igbo Nigerian heritage, a culture built on resilience, integrity, and the belief that character is your greatest asset.
