Helen Connolly

With a background of more than 30 years working in health, disability, education, and community fields in Australia, UK and USA. Helen brings views from a range of perspectives. She worked as an occupational therapist in specialist clinical interest areas and has served on various disability, health, ethics and education advisory boards.

Helen spent several years at ADACUS as the Manager of Projects, Policy, and Research, covering human rights issues as they impact people with disability, carers, and older persons. She is currently the senior director of Guardianship in the ACT. In this role, she continues to learn about safeguarding from the community, clients, and colleagues.

Helen is a parent to a young person with disability and shares the care of older parents.

Planning ahead: Safeguarding decision-making

In her presentation, Helen explained why it’s so important to plan ahead when it comes to safeguarding the future of a vulnerable person. She briefly covered the following.

• Decision-making identity and processes
• How to inform decisions by first capturing the person’s values, will, and preferences.
• Utilising support networks
• The who’s who of the legislative landscape: Nominees, attorneys, guardians, and managers.

Learn about the other conference speakers and their presentations

Pre-conference webinars

• Webinar 1 – Decision-making in everyday life – Janet Klees
• Webinar 2 – Medical safeguarding – Jo Massarelli and Cathy Ludlum
• Webinar 3 – Now is the time for vision – Darcy Elks

Main conference

• Never too late to get a life – Cathy McMahon and Josey McMahon
• The secrets of fabulous skin self-direction – Margaret Ward
• What happens when I cark it? – Linda Hughes
• Planning ahead: Safeguarding decision-making – Helen Connolly
• The importance of trust and relationship in supported decision-making – Kim Roots
• Dream big! – Laura Esplin and Bernadette Esplin
• Building bridges to neighbourhood – Sarah Faulkner
• Safeguarding a Micro Enterprise for the future – Helen Neale
• Finding and safeguarding a job – Jan Kruger
• What’s the plan? Estate planning consideration for parents and carers – Stacey Bell
• Passing on the “How”: A sibling’s journey – Rebecca Altaffer
• It’s a long game: Planning for a great future for Valen in a constantly changing world – Ann Greer, Valen Litster, and Sally Aubrey
• How to set your Executor up for success – Stacey Bell
• Safeguarding the future: A sibling’s perspective – Libby Ellis
• Dispelling myths about the Disability Support Pension, Rent Assistance, and employment income – Paul Kruger
• Your money, your future – Carolina Albornoz
• Helping relationships flourish – Tim Bavinton
• Who is the person behind the behaviour, and what do they need? – Kane Morgan
• Safeguarding Isaac’s good life through a Service for One – Sheree Henley
• Emma Davidson MLA
• Planning future finances – Chris Oates
• Crafting and safeguarding a meaningful week for Cameron – Karen Caldwell, Cameron Zellner, and Markus Zellner