Alena Ratcliffe
Tatura,VIC
Summary
Reliable, assertive worker with excellent interpersonal skills, time management and problem-solving skills. Successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Driven to prioritise individual needs with attention to important details. A creative leader, skilled in fostering positive relationships and ensuring safety, with a commitment to empowering young people and their families. Valued as team player dedicated to expanding knowledge and responsibilities. Proven ability to adapt in high-pressure environments while maintaining professionalism.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Residential Care Worker
Berry Street Victoria
05.2024 - Current
- Supports young people with daily living activities, promoting independence and self-sufficiency.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards by adhering to established policies and procedures within the residential care setting.
- Practice preventative de-escalation techniques in heightened situations.
- Maintain composure, professionalism and safety in high pressure situations.
- Transporting young people to services and/or activities.
- Facilitated effective communication between young people, their family members, and other caregivers while maintaining confidentiality as required.
- Provided medication management services, ensuring proper administration and adherence to prescribed treatment plans.
- Contributed to staff development through participation in training sessions, workshops, and professional development opportunities.
- Maintained detailed records of young people's progress, ensuring accurate documentation for future reference.
- Assisted in meal planning, preparation, serving meals ensuring that nutritional requirements are met for each young person.
Targeted Care Packages Support Worker
Berry Street Victoria
06.2023 - Current
- Enhance the quality of care for young people by providing personalised support and assistance with daily living activities.
- Adapt quickly to changing work environments while maintaining high levels of productivity and professionalism under pressure.
- Supervising access visits between young people and their families
- Transporting young people to services and/or activities.
- Maintain detailed records of client progress, activities, and outcomes through case noting, to ensure continuity of care across service providers.
- Developed strong rapport with young people and their families by consistently demonstrating respect, understanding, and genuine concern for their wellbeing.
Targeted Care Packages Key Worker
Berry Street Victoria
09.2024 - 03.2025
- Maintained accurate documentation, ensuring compliance with regulations and confidentiality requirements.
- Conducted thorough assessments of client's situations, identifying barriers, goals, and necessary interventions.
- Informed clients on available programs, benefits, and services, empowering them to make informed decisions about their care needs.
- Maintained accurate records of client progress, whist following privacy, confidentiality and mandatory reporting duties.
- Provided crisis intervention services when necessary, ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants.
- Conducted regular home visits to monitor the well-being of young people within their living environments, identifying any potential concerns or issues requiring attention of other professionals involved in their care plan management process.
- Enhanced community connections for young people through outreach and partnership building with local organisations.
- Leading care team meetings and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure holistic care for each young person, addressing their unique needs and challenges.
- Empowered young people to set and achieve personal goals through ongoing guidance and support.
Cake Decorator
Alena's Cake Fancies
06.2012 - 12.2023
- Design, bake, and decorate custom detailed cakes.
- Develop rapport with customers.
- Communicate with customers to accommodate their ideas, design, price and delivery times.
- Provide a professional and friendly service.
- Manage designing, baking, decorating, communication schedules.
- Liaise with other businesses to execute an overall concept for events to meet customer's requests.
- Verified accuracy of orders while meeting strict deadlines on producing completed products.
- Followed food safety standards when handling ingredients.
Group Leader Boomerang Bags (Volunteer)
Tatura Community House
05.2018 - 02.2020
- Collaborated with the Community House creating ideas, goals and planned group activities.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Exercised leadership capabilities by successfully motivating, inspiring, teaching and learning new sewing skills.
- Connected with local businesses and services to acquire donated goods and services and distribute products.
Garden & Cooking Group Leader (Volunteer)
St. Mary's Primary School
03.2016 - 11.2018
- Teach groups of students about growing and cooking with fruit and vegetables through practical lessons.
- Create an inclusive environment and engaging activities to develop skills and confidence in students.
- Teach responsibilities of creating and maintaining successful gardening practices.
- Communicate with Teachers to ensure time availabilities.
- Responsible use of school's accounts for purchasing tools, hardware and food items for cooking and planned activities.
- Ensuring safety of students and myself as a top priority.
Play Leader (Holiday Care Program)
North Shepparton Community & Learning Centre
01.2003 - 01.2004
- Cared for young people with all abilities in a safe, playful and engaging environment
- Engaged with young people and their families, communicating their daily experiences
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance with young people's daily needs
Education
Diploma of Community Services - Community Services
GoTafe
Shepparton, VIC10-2026
Upskilled Modules in Certificate IV - Child, Family And Youth Intervention
Melbourne Polytechnic
Melbourne, VIC06-2025
Certificate III Information Technology - Information Technology
Mooroopna Secondary College
Mooroopna, VIC11.2001
VCE
Mooroopna Secondary College
Mooroopna, VIC11.2001
Skills
- Critical Thinker
- Strong Interpersonal skills
- Creative, engaged, positive leader and team contributor
- Professional, assertive, reliable, patient, motivated and empathetic
- Safe Work Practices
- Strong Verbal and Written Communication
- Excellent time management skills
- Current Working with Children Check
- Current Driver's License
- Patient and engaging Teacher
- Positive Role Model
- Competent with Microsoft Office, Internet and Email
References
Daniel Ryan
TCP Team Leader
Berry Street, Shepparton
0499 322 761
Kirstie Pearce
ICMS Team Leader
Berry Street, Shepparton
0428 185 284
Timeline
Targeted Care Packages Key Worker
Berry Street Victoria
09.2024 - 03.2025
Residential Care Worker
Berry Street Victoria
05.2024 - Current
Targeted Care Packages Support Worker
Berry Street Victoria
06.2023 - Current
Group Leader Boomerang Bags (Volunteer)
Tatura Community House
05.2018 - 02.2020
Garden & Cooking Group Leader (Volunteer)
St. Mary's Primary School
03.2016 - 11.2018
Cake Decorator
Alena's Cake Fancies
06.2012 - 12.2023
Play Leader (Holiday Care Program)
North Shepparton Community & Learning Centre
01.2003 - 01.2004
Diploma of Community Services - Community Services
GoTafe
Upskilled Modules in Certificate IV - Child, Family And Youth Intervention
Melbourne Polytechnic
Certificate III Information Technology - Information Technology
Mooroopna Secondary College
VCE
Mooroopna Secondary College
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