Introducing Mel Guiney
We are pleased to introduce Mel Guiney, a highly experienced Developmental Educator (DE) with over 30 years’ experience supporting people with intellectual and developmental disability. Mel has worked in many areas across the disability sector; employment, residential, day services, case management, respite, carer support, after-hours emergency coordination, and positive behaviour support.
Mel works particularly with individuals with moderate to severe intellectual disability — to build meaningful life skills. Mel works from a strengths-based, human rights framework, recognising each person’s existing abilities, communication style and learning preferences, and supports decision making and autonomy. Mel draws upon her ability to apply behavioural learning and social theories, evidence-based planning, monitoring and evaluation to meet the needs, goals and aspirations of the people she works with.
Her approach is practical, respectful and rights informed to achieve effective inclusion. Mel collaborates closely with individuals, families and support teams to strengthen core skills in communication, consent, safety, relationships and self-advocacy — always prioritising dignity, autonomy and participation.
What is a Disability Develomental Educator?
A Developmental Educator (DE) is a specialist disability professional who supports people with intellectual and developmental disability to build functional, real-world skills that enhance independence and participation.DE’s work from a capacity-building perspective. This means they focus on:
Developing understanding of key life concepts
Teaching practical, transferable skills
Supporting generalisation of learning into everyday environments
Building the capability of families and support teams
Rather than focusing solely on impairment, DE’s focus on strengthening knowledge, confidence and self-determination.
What Role Does a DE Play in Sexuality and Relationship Education?
Sexuality and relationship education is an essential life skill area and a human rights issue. A DE provides structured, developmentally appropriate education that may include:
Understanding bodies, puberty, menopause and sexual health
Consent, boundaries and respectful relationships
Public versus private behaviours
Online safety and digital communication
Communication and self-advocacy skills
Recognising unsafe situations, empowering knowledge and skills
This work extends beyond the individual. Mel also supports families, carers and support workers to use consistent language and proactive strategies that enhance safety while preserving autonomy. The focus is on empowerment, not restriction.
Funding
Private
Development Educators can be accessed privately.
NDIS
Developmental Educators are recognised by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) as professionals with disability specific expertise who can provide services under the NDIS. DE services can be funded under the NDIS when linked to disability-related goals and meeting reasonable and necessary criteria. Supports are generally funded under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living Skills.
Relevant NDIS support item numbers include:
15_613_0128_1_3 – Assessment Recommendation Therapy or Training – Developmental Educator (for participants aged 9 years and over)
15_613_0118_1_3 – Early Childhood Supports – Developmental Educator (for participants under 9 years)
These line items sit within the Capacity Building budget and are used when developmental educator services are building functional capacity, independence, safety and participation skills.
