Core PBS Practitioner & Qualified Social Worker
Hi, I’m Rukia Dahir
Rukia is a qualified Social Worker with over eight years of dedicated experience supporting children, individuals, and families navigating complex life circumstances - including disability, neurodivergence, trauma histories, mental health challenges, and intensive child protection systems.
Having worked extensively across community-based and international protection roles - including her recent work with Wungening Moort Aboriginal Corporation providing intensive in-home support - Rukia brings a rich foundation in relationship-based practice, reflective assessment, and deep cultural humility. As a neurodivergent practitioner herself, Rukia brings lived experience that deeply informs her understanding of sensory processing, communication differences, and the systemic hurdles families face. She is passionate about shifting narratives away from pathologising behaviour, focusing instead on dignity, autonomy, and holistic healing.
ABOUT RUKIA
MY APPROACH & FRAMEWORKS
“I believe every behaviour is a meaningful form of communication, not something to be pathologised. My commitment is to look beneath the surface, honour cultural story, and adapt the world around the person so they feel safe, respected, and truly heard.”
Neuro-Affirming & Lived Experience Practice: Honouring brain differences, sensory needs, and self-advocacy without requiring compliance or masking.
Trauma-Informed & Relationship-Based Care: Prioritising emotional safety, trust, and co-regulation in every interaction.
Cultural Humility & Community Grounding: Embedded in deep respect for family systems, community connections, and culturally safe practice.
Proactive & Environmental Adaptations: Reducing and eliminating restrictive practices by changing environments, routines, and support styles.
Strengths-Based Family Co-Design: Building practical, plain-language plans with families and support networks, focusing on their inherent capabilities.
Extensive background across child protection, crisis intervention, family reunification, disability, and domestic violence support.
Strong, hands-on experience providing intensive, culturally secure support alongside Aboriginal families and organisations.
Skill in exploring the underlying meaning behind complex, misunderstood, or high-risk behaviours to meet both participant needs and NDIS safeguarding requirements.
Expert in bridging support between families, schools, allied health professionals, and NDIS support teams.
SPECIALTIES & EXPERIENCE
WHY FAMILIES & PARTICIPANTS LOVE WORKING WITH RUKIA
As a neurodivergent practitioner, Rukia brings zero clinical distance - she understands sensory processing, burnout, and systemic frustration from the inside out.
Rukia is renowned for her ability to build genuine trust with families who have previously felt overwhelmed, misunderstood, or resistant to formal services.
She fights to ensure participants and carers never feel judged, standing beside them to make sure their rights, culture, and choices are always respected.
With years of intensive family support and crisis intervention experience, Rukia brings a steady, calming presence to complex and high-stress situations.
QUALIFICATIONS & CREDENTIALS
Bachelor of Social Work (The University of Nairobi)
Qualified Social Worker (8+ Years Experience)
PBS Practitioner Registration (NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission)
Specialised Certifications & Training:
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)
Aboriginal Cultural Appreciation & Cultural Competence
Safeguarding Children Certification
Introduction to Alcohol & Other Drugs (AOD)
Prevention of Violence Against Women