At Hannah’s House, caring for children with complex needs requires compassion, patience, and expertise. This National Carer’s Week, we spoke with Debra Scaife (Deb), a Registered Nurse at Hannah’s House, to share her journey in the caring profession and highlight the vital role carers play in the lives of families who rely on their skills.

For Deb, caring isn’t just a job — it’s part of who she is. “I think people tend to be born carers,” she reflects. “It feels more than just a job. It’s a deep-down feeling — a need to do.” Her journey began in 1981 when she trained as an Enrolled Nurse before specialising in paediatric care. Over the years, she has gained experience working in children’s wards and intensive care units across the UK, including major trauma and head injury cases.

In the caring profession, making a difference can come in the form of small, everyday moments. “If you can make a difference to a person’s day, then you’ve done a good job,” Deb explains. “It doesn’t have to be big — it can be small.” Whether it’s supporting a child through a challenging medical procedure or simply offering a comforting presence, Deb feels rewarded knowing her work helps families in meaningful ways.

In 2018, Deb and her family made a life – changing move, immigrating to Perth after falling in love with the country during a holiday. Her middle child followed in her footsteps, becoming a Registered Nurse, while her youngest daughter pursued a career in childcare. Deb’s passion for connecting with others never waned, even in her new environment. She learned British Sign Language (BSL) while in the UK and has since embraced Auslan to communicate with children with hearing impairments.

“Just being able to say the little things like their name lights up their faces,” she says warmly.

Her role goes beyond just medical care. It’s about building trust, offering emotional support, and being a reliable figure in times of uncertainty. “I try to be that individual outside the family who offers advice and creates a safe place,” Deb says. “Having empathy is key to being a good carer.”

Caring for children with complex medical needs presents daily challenges. For Deb, these challenges are part of the job, but she approaches them with calmness and experience. “You need to be a really good listener and not rush in too quickly,” she says. Listening to both the child and their family allows her to provide the best possible care.

One of the most difficult aspects of her role is balancing the emotional demands. Caring for families during their hardest moments requires resilience, but Deb credits her ability to stay connected to her family. “My family grounds me and it makes me thankful every day,” she says.

Advice for Future Carers

As a seasoned professional, Deb has invaluable advice for anyone considering a career in the caring sector. Her number one message? “Listen — especially to the kids and their parents. The parent knows their child the best.”

Deb also stresses the importance of continuous learning and building on experience. “It’s important to have someone to debrief with. It’s not a negative thing to discuss how you could improve or how you feel,” she notes, adding that this reflection helps carers grow both professionally and personally.

Celebrating the Profession During National Carer’s Week

This National Carer’s Week, the theme is Show Them You Care, a reminder of the essential role carers like Deb provides in our communities. Carers in the professional sector, especially registered nurses and support workers, offer specialised care that enables children with complex needs to thrive. Their work requires expertise, compassion, and resilience.

At Hannah’s House, we celebrate dedicated professionals like Deb who provide not just care, but also hope and stability to the families they serve. As she puts it, “You must seize the day —you only have one life.”

This week let’s acknowledge and appreciate the professional carers whose work makes a world of difference in the lives of so many. They are our community heroes, ensuring that every child receives the best care possible.