"There is so much to learn here, and every day is different."

Supportive, active and thoughtful, Tara Murphy got involved in the forensic space almost by accident, and she hasn’t looked back since. Now with more than 13 years’ experience working across various ACSO residential houses, Tara says she feels incredibly lucky to work alongside such a tight-knit and dedicated team.  

“I started working in residential services as a casual Resi support worker when I was backpacking in Melbourne. I had finished my master’s in social work in Ireland and decided to go travelling. Before coming to Australia, I had worked in a men’s prison for six months and enjoyed the work. I enjoyed the support I could offer and that every day was different.”  

A lot has changed at ACSO in the past 13 years. Where did you begin? And what was it like? 

“I started working for ACSO at Armadale house in August 2013. Back then it was a female residential house. I also had the opportunity to work at all the metro houses. I then moved from casual to a full timeline at Armadale house. 

“I worked out of our Glenroy office as part of the outreach team and then moved into a team leader role in the residential space. I also spent some time working in the NOVO program, a program that worked in DPFC. 

“I have been a team leader at a number of our residential houses.” 

What’s it like working in the Resi? 

“Every day is different and I wear many different hats in my role of team leader. I enjoy going into the house and working with the residents, whether it’s baking banana bread with left over bananas or encouraging the residents to clean the bathroom. 

“I am incredibly lucky to work alongside the Resi team, they go above and beyond to ensure everything runs smoothly.  

“I enjoy being able to use my skills and the professional relationships I have built up over the years. I take pride in supporting the leadership team. I offer advice and support whenever I can.  

“I really enjoy my role; I wouldn’t have stayed for 13 years if I didn’t enjoy the work and the organisation.” 

For those of us who might not be familiar with working in a Resi program, what does a normal day in your work week look like? 

“Every day is different; I usually start my day with reading emails and touching base with the house to see if anything needs my attention. Some days I have meetings I attend or then I go into the house and catch up with everyone. Usually when I go into the house I leave with a list of tasks that need to be actioned.”  

Is there a particular part of your role that you enjoy the most?  

I love chatting with everyone and sharing any advice or knowledge I might have that could help them. I appreciate catching up the residents and them filling me in on what’s been going on for them.   

Even when I am doing tier two for on call, I will chat with a staff member I have not seen in some time. I appreciate all the connections I’ve made in ACSO.  

Which of ACSO’s values do you align with the most with? 

“I have asked this question to people many times when doing interviews and often you get the same repeated answer. But that doesn’t make it any less true. I whole heartedly believe in humanity!  

“I am proud to work for ACSO. Over the years I have seen cases where other organisations would decline to work with the person as they were in “the too hard basket”, but ACSO has been willing to listen and see if we can support the person.  

“I believe everyone deserves a chance. Many of our clients have been judged all their life, by society or by the courts. My role at ACSO is not to judge but support in whatever way I can.”  

Outside of work, what do you like to do with your time? 

“Outside work, I am looking after my three young children: seven-year-old boy, Franky, and my five-year-old boy girl twins, Ada and Aidan. They keep me extremely busy.  I have an amazing supportive partner, Chris. Between us, we both we do our best, as all our family are in Ireland or England.  

“I also enjoy running and going to the gym, I am there every morning at 5am before the chaos of family life begins and then I am ready to start my day at 9am.”  

Would you recommend ACSO as a place to work? 

100%! There is so much to learn here, and every day is different. You can put all your skills and knowledge into action. Everyone is always willing to help and work as a team. You get to work with residents in their homes. It helps build a natural relationship and you can work alongside them.  

We’re incredibly grateful Tara has chosen to call Australia home. Her contribution to ACSO’s residential programs over the past 13 years has been substantial, as anyone who works alongside her will tell you. Without active, values-driven leaders like Tara, the work we do would not be possible.