Daisy Brown

About Daisy Brown

When she presented at the conference, Daisy was 16 years old and doing year 12 at Charters Towers School of Distance Education. She combined schooling (QCE) with a Cert II in animal studies at Central Queensland University via the Start Tafe Now programme. She loves rap music and reformer pilates.

Daisy has a lifelong interest in animals, particularly horses and dogs. She established her career by undertaking a work experience placement in a vet clinic. Her teammates valued her skills in asking questions, using her initiative and monitoring dogs in surgical recovery. As a result, Daisy was offered an ongoing job at the vet and now works 17 hours a week. Her tasks at work include bathing dogs in the hydro bath and providing laser treatment, pre- and post-operative care, and general animal care.

Daisy’s School-to-Work Journey

Daisy Brown and Gillian Brown

Gillian and Daisy explained how Daisy used her high school years to explore employment and create a seamless transition from year 12 to working life in a job that is a great fit for Daisy. They discussed

• Daisy’s experience of distance learning
• how school-based Work Experience operates under the distance education model
• how paying attention to Daisy’s interests helped identify potential school-based Work Experience opportunities
• how they approached the Veterinary practice to ask for a Work Experience opportunity
• the supports Daisy needed to thrive in the workplace, including:
  • having clear instructions about workplace expectations and clearly listed jobs
  • assistive technology
  • social scripting and helpful phrases
  • staff awareness around the impact of her disability and needs in the workplace
• the challenges that have arisen and how they’ve overcome them.

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