Meet The Team
Inclusion. Innovation. Passion.
The people behind our business are just as important to us as the business itself. We want all individuals considering our services to know more about us before joining the Ready Steady Achieve Team. Our staff have undergone training in Ross Green's Proactive Collaborative Solutions, Interoception (through Kelly Mahler), Neuroaffirming practices and the Sensory System and many have a strong knowledge from trainings in Trauma Informed Practice. We recognise the importance of participants learning a little more about the way we look as well as the backgrounds and experience that we have.
We therefore introduce you to the members of Ready Steady Achieve!
Kerrie Van Ravenstein
​B.Ed (P-10), M.Ed (Applied Behaviour Analysis)
Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (1-23-66586)
Director & Advanced Behaviour Support Specialist
Kerrie is an Experienced Behaviour Support Specialist with an NDIS advanced rating. She begun her career as a Teacher with a Bachelor of Education (P-10) and worked to implement change as an Assistant Principal advocating for the inclusion of young people living with a disability. Kerrie then continued her education to achieve a Masters of Applied Behaviour Analysis (Monash University). Kerrie is skilled in Applied Behaviour Analysis, Functional Behaviour Assessments and Staff Development. Kerrie has expertise to work with children and adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety, Intellectual Disabilities and/or attachment disorders, Kerrie builds relationships with clients in a respectful and caring manner.
Jack Pitts
B. Ed (P-10)
Positive Behaviour Support - Monash University
Ross Green - Collaborative and Proactive Solutions
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Service Locations: Ballarat and Surrounds
Jack is a strong advocate for identifying other's strengths and ensuring they have a voice and agency in goal setting. Jack’s philosophy is that every person deserves the right to succeed, and he is highly competent in developing meaningful skill building programs in a manner that caters to individual preferences. He has a background in working with a myriad of learners in specialist and mainstream school settings. Having previously held positions in educational leadership, he believes no person is ‘to anything’. Jack builds strong relationships with participants, care teams and parents to ensure that all individuals achieve personal success. He is highly passionate, caring, and enthusiastic about supporting participants and places emphasis on forging lasting connections with all stakeholders.
Kirstie Clark
PostGradDip.Psych, GradCert CS, B.Business
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Service Location: Bacchus Marsh, Maryborough & Ballarat
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Kirstie brings an empathetic, inquisitive approach to working with individuals, families and care teams; using a trauma-informed, client-centred approach with all participants, while ensuring an evidence based approach is put in place. Kirstie has a specialised interest in complex trauma, mental health, Brain injuries and neurodivergence. Kirstie brings expertise from her areas of study which include Business, Psychology, Community Services, Positive Behaviour Support and Social Work.
Kirstie has:
Spent 10 years Delivering community development, health promotion, and services advocacy within grassroots communities while lecturing in community services and disability courses locally.
- Spent 10 years working with clients with brain injuries, neurodegenerative disorders, alcohol-related brain injuries, stroke, TIA, post-concussive disorder, and undiagnosed brain injuries. Provided holistic case management, advocacy, assessment, and service navigation within both hospital and community settings.
Recently spent two years focused on family violence work, specialising in supporting people who use violence and facilitating groups for women using violence.
Ricky Whitcher
BEd(Prim), Engaging in PBS
Proficient Behaviour Support Practitioner
Service Locations: Ballarat, Geelong and Surrounds
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Ricky has a Bachelor of Teaching (Foundation to 10) from the University of Ballarat, and has recently studied ‘Engaging in Positive Behaviour Support Practices’ from Monash University. He has taught across Victoria for over 10 years in both government and Catholic primary schools, recently holding the position of Assistant Principal and Learning Diversity Leader. He has many years of experience working with students with additional needs and enjoys assisting each individual to achieve personal success. Ricky develops connections with individuals and families through working collaboratively to achieve their goals.
Jemima Filiponi
MEd(SpecEd), Grad. cert teaching (ASD), B. Ed (Early childhood/primary), Cert IV SLP
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Service Locations: Altona, Point Cook, Werribee & Melton
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Jemima is a highly proficient practitioner & educator with expertise in working with others ensuring voice and agency is a top priority. For the past 20 years Jemima has advocated, supported, and taught a wide range of children with a focus on their development, education, and rights. Jemima builds strong relationships with empathy and kindness through the filial approach to achieve goals and improve quality of life. Jemima believes in lifelong learning and currently holds her Bachelor of Early Years and Primary Education, Master of Special Education, Graduate Diploma in Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Certificate IV in Speech and Language Support.
Amanda Slade
B. Ed (Early Childhood and Primary), Engaging in PBS
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Service Locations: Bannockburn, Geelong & Surrounds
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Amanda has a Bachelor of Teaching ( Early childhood and Primary) and has studied ‘Engaging in Positive Behaviour Support Practices’ from Monash University. Amanda has experience working in wellbeing departments in schools and the community, working with young people with ASD, anxiety, learning disabilities and those with a trauma background. Amanda is passionate about supporting clients to reach their goals and engage fully in their own care planning, utilising a compassionate and person-centred approach.
Her values and practices strongly align with the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework ensuring the participants goals, aspirations and overall quality of life remain priority. She is passionate about empowering individuals and does this in a non-judgemental, supportive space.
James Warke
BA (Psychology), Master of Teaching (Secondary), Engaging in PBS
Service Locations: Ballarat, Bacchus Marsh, Melton and Surrounds
​James has a Bachelor of Arts with a Psychology major from Monash University and a Master of Secondary Teaching from Federation University.
James has led whole-school initiatives including Learning and Wellbeing, Respectful Relationships, and School-Wide Positive Behaviour Supports to enhance student wellbeing in his role as a Learning Specialist. James' has taught English and Psychology and worked closely with disengaged students and students with additional needs and their families to achieve positive learning, wellbeing, and pathway outcomes. James is passionate about developing strong relationships with people and empowering them to achieve their goals.
Janice has been working in office administration for over 10 years and the banking industry for over 14 years. Outside of work she enjoys reading, spending time with her dog, catching up with friends and doing craft. Her aim is to assist everyone to feel included and has a passion for helping others, please contact her if you have any questions about administration, forms or processes.