Brent is a Registered Nurse, Credentialed Mental Health Nurse, Fellow of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses, and a Registered Disability Practitioner. He has experience in acute, community, and state-wide mental health services for children, adolescents, and adults. He has particular experience and interest working with children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, especially those with severe and profound disabilities.

He has worked in sexual health services, homeless outreach, schools, supported accommodation, and nursing education before moving to State government where he worked for 16 years. He worked in the regulation of disability services in the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services prior to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). He then was Manager of Schoolwide Positive Behaviour Support and later was Principal Behaviour Support Adviser in the Victorian Department of Education. His achievements include new and revised policy, gaining competitive funding, designing and delivering professional learning, and providing policy and practice advice and consultation to service systems.

Brent completed his Master of Education (Special Education) with a major in intellectual disability. He continued his disability research through a PhD at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education at the University of Melbourne. His thesis investigated the influences on the adoption of positive behaviour support (PBS) in the NDIS. 

Brent’s research interests include school nursing, mental health nursing in new and emerging settings, and behaviour support policy. He has published over 20 peer reviewed papers and presented at many national and international conferences. He has collaborated with clinical and non-government organisations to produce practice guidance in the support of children and adults with disabilities.

Brent teaches in the undergraduate nursing program and supervises Honours, Masters, and PhD students. 

• Deputy Chair, Scientific Committee, Australian College of Mental Health Nurses
• Committee Member, Professional Association of Nurses in Developmental Disability Australia (PANDDA)
• Member, Editorial Board, Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities