Reimagining Good Residential Support: Creating Homes, Not Workplaces, with Niall Hewitt

In this episode, Niall Hewitt, director of Rubix Support and board member of Behaviour Support Practitioners Australia and Developmental Educators Australia, shares deep insights into the evolving landscape of residential support services. With decades of experience across direct disability care, forensic services, government departments, and now leadership in the sector, Niall walks us through his hands-on journey and the critical importance of understanding support from the ground up. He discusses how good support goes beyond ticking boxes—it’s about consistency, meaningful relationships, respectful environments, and support that genuinely makes someone’s life better. The conversation explores practical ways to identify and promote what good support looks like in accommodation settings. From everyday choices and personal dignity to the role of leadership, team training, and person-centred practice, Niall outlines key considerations that can really make or break the living experience of individuals with disability. He also challenges the systemic issues like funding-driven decisions and staff turnover that can undermine person-centred care, urging us to shift the focus back to the individual. This episode is essential listening for anyone involved in behaviour support or disability services, offering grounded, thoughtful strategies that bridge policy and practice in real-world ways.