Alicia Frayne Johnson
Newcastle,Australia
Summary
Dynamic Aboriginal Independent Assessor with proven expertise in report writing and stakeholder engagement at the Department of Communities and Justice. Successfully delivered high-quality assessments, enhancing permanency planning outcomes. Adept at cultural competence and project management, driving impactful solutions for families in need. Committed to evidence-based practices and continuous improvement. Aboriginal clinical practice background, with strong connections to Aboriginal communities in NSW statewide.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Aboriginal Independent Assessor
Department of Communities and Justice
02.2024 - Current
- The Independent Assessor is commissioned to undertake impartial, high-quality assessments about the quality of relationships a child is developing with their caregivers. The assessment is designed to assess the suitability of each of the permanency pathways available to the child, and to make recommendations about permanency case plan goals.
- Provide Culturally safe assessments relative kinship carer assessments.
Aboriginal Family Preservation Project Manger
AbSec
Sydney , NSW
02.2024 - 05.2025
- Undertaking and delivering timely, high quality, comprehensive and evidence-based reports for government and non-government agencies, across the following areas: Permanency Planning Assessment, Guardianship Assessments and Court Preparation, Kinship and Authorised Carer Assessments, Complex Carer Reviews, Parenting Capacity Assessments, Restoration and Annual and five-year carer reviews.
- Reportable Conduct Investigations involving foster carers; residential care services staff; independent schools staff and residential disability services staff;
- Investigations probity assessment requirements;
- These reports utilise high level interviewing and investigation skills and require engagement with a number of stakeholders including children, young people, families, legal services, government and non-government agencies, and oversight bodies. These reports are also submitted to a range of agencies and can be used as evidence in court settings.
- Analysed data collected from assessments and developed individualized service plans based on client needs.
- Managed project timelines and deliverables across multiple teams and stakeholders.
- Coordinated resources and schedules to ensure effective project execution.
- Led regular meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and next steps.
- Developed detailed project plans to align with organisational goals.
- Monitored risks and implemented mitigation strategies throughout project lifecycle.
- Analysed project performance metrics to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- Facilitated communication between team members and external partners for clarity.
- Managed multiple projects with competing deadlines simultaneously.
Statewide Educator and Cultural Supervision
ECAV NSW Health
07.2022 - 01.2023
- Ensure a culturally safe and appropriate consultation process with Aboriginal communities and staff and with relevant Aboriginal advisory/ expert groups within ECAV and PARVAN to inform the development and delivery of training and resources both through the Aboriginal portfolio and across other portfolios at ECAV.
- Contribute Aboriginal cultural and professional expertise, current research, best practice models and feedback from health practitioners across the state to ECAV management.
- Establish and coordinate the Aboriginal Family Wellbeing and Violence Prevention Network.
- Identify and develop opportunities for relevant competency-based training and assessment in compliance with NSW RTO and VET requirements.
- Contribute to Aboriginal cultural and professional development.
Aboriginal Counsellor
New Street Hunter New England Health Service
03.2021 - 02.2022
- Commitment to requirements of membership to the Australian Counsellors Association.
- Providing counselling to individuals and families in the context of child sexual assault, trauma, violence and abuse and understanding of the legal and policy framework governing child protection in NSW.
- Demonstrated understanding of the legal and policy framework which governs sexual assault and child protection within NSW, including the Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services (Keep Them Safe).
- Providing outreach to Taree, Maitland, Singleton, Nelson’s Bay, Newcastle and surrounding areas where we received referrals.
Partners in Recovery
Hunter Primary Care
NEWCASTLE, NSW
03.2017 - 11.2020
- Providing Make plans about working towards recovery.
- Find the right places to get help – Coordinating Services that are NDIS approved and ensuring that the service user accepts the referrals.
- Make sure that different services meet their needs.
- Co-ordinate different services.
- Solve practical problems – like housing and health needs.
- Keep working towards recovery.
- Case Management – ensuring service users have choice and control over their lives.
Aboriginal Mental Health Professional
Hunter New England Health
NEWCASTLE, NSW
03.2009 - 02.2017
- Company Overview: Lake Macquarie Community Mental Health Acute Care
- Commitment to completing Bachelor of Health (Mental Health) with Charles Sturt University.
- Experience participating in and organizing community development activity issues that address social and emotional health.
- Commitment to work as an Aboriginal Mental Health Trainee Clinician under supervision, with consumers who have mental health, trauma, drug and alcohol issues.
- Assist and liaise and mentor clients/ patients with medication.
- I have experience in liaising with other services, Non-Government Organisations and Government Services for the best care for my clients/ patients.
- The Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) is an innovative partnership between NSW Health, Housing NSW and community services Organisations, including Mission Australia, Wandiyali ATSI Inc and Muloobinba Aboriginal Corporation.
- I have undertaken the instructor’s course for the Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid training.
- Assisted with medication support, counselling, arranging doctor’s appointments, assist with pathology and hold and deliver programs such as measure up program, the importance of exercise and healthy living and various other programs such as stress management, importance of sleep and wellbeing, and dual diagnosis sessions.
- Lake Macquarie Community Mental Health Acute Care
Intensive Family Support Caseworker
Muloobina Aboriginal Corporation
Newcastle, NSW
03.2013 - 02.2016
- Intense support that provides information and advice, advocacy, referrals to relevant.
- Structured program providing practical, and skills supports though case planning.
- Assisting with Aboriginal Families to link in with Health Care, Mental Health and NDIS services.
- Assess the strengths, risks and needs of the children and family.
- Structure parenting programs including child behavioural issues.
- Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of services being delivered.
- On call assistance for emergency circumstances.
- Work with supervisor in the provision of brokerage to families.
- Maintain case files including the development of case assessments, plans, and reviews within timeframes provided by Team leader and practice guidelines.
- Maintain own administrative workload – case notes, client records, statistics, correspondence, filing, cheque requisitions, work-plan, evaluations, quarterly worker’s report and other documentation as required.
- To prepare client reports as required e.g. family assessment reports, closure reports, response to ROSH reports within required timeframes.
- Adhere to the policies and procedures of DCJ.
- Data Entry – Reporting case notes and assessments.
- Telephone Operations/Faxes and Emails.
- Quality Customer Service, continuous improvement and teamwork.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Education
Bachelor of Health Science - Mental Health
Charles Sturt University
Wagga Wagga12.2017
Higher School Certificate (HSC) - 2 unit English, 2 Unit geography, 2 Unit Legal Studies, 2 Unit General Mathematics, 2 Unit Senior Science, 2 Unit Business Administration – TVET TAFE
Brewarrina Central School
Brewarrina, NSW12.2001
Skills
- Report writing
- Assessment methodologies
- Data analysis
- Stakeholder engagement
- Cultural competence
- Advocacy skills
- Case management
- Evidence-based practice
- Project management
- Team collaboration
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Structural assessment
- Conflict resolution
- Critical thinking
- Time management
- Analytical reasoning
- Collaboration
- Records maintenance
- Self motivation
- Written communication
- Confidentiality maintenance
- Teamwork
- Decision-making
- Analytical skills
- Negotiation skills
- Risk assessment
Certification
Driver’s Licence, C, 04/11/26
Training
- Aboriginal Mental health Instructors Course for Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid, 12/31/21
- Child and Adolescent Sexual Assault Awareness Training, 12/31/21
- Certificate of attainment Senior First Aid
- Certificate of attainment OH&S
- Case Note training – Community Services
- Child Protection Dynamics – Community Services
- Accentual Counselling Training - Community Services
- Certificate of attainment in Responsible Service of Alcohol
- Certificate of attainment in Responsible Conduct of Gambling
- Safe Wayz – Impact of Porn and Young People
- Introduction to Integrated Practice: A course for NSW Health workers working in VAN services, 10/10/21
- Working therapeutically with children who have experienced child sexual abuse, 11/30/21
- Case Worker Development training with Department of Communities and Justice, 12/31/19
References
- Stef Mercy, Service Manager New Street Services, 0429638428
- Michelle Lawrence, Aboriginal Mental Health Clinician, 0423574392
Timeline
Aboriginal Independent Assessor
Department of Communities and Justice
02.2024 - Current
Aboriginal Family Preservation Project Manger
AbSec
02.2024 - 05.2025
Statewide Educator and Cultural Supervision
ECAV NSW Health
07.2022 - 01.2023
Aboriginal Counsellor
New Street Hunter New England Health Service
03.2021 - 02.2022
Partners in Recovery
Hunter Primary Care
03.2017 - 11.2020
Intensive Family Support Caseworker
Muloobina Aboriginal Corporation
03.2013 - 02.2016
Aboriginal Mental Health Professional
Hunter New England Health
03.2009 - 02.2017
Bachelor of Health Science - Mental Health
Charles Sturt University
Higher School Certificate (HSC) - 2 unit English, 2 Unit geography, 2 Unit Legal Studies, 2 Unit General Mathematics, 2 Unit Senior Science, 2 Unit Business Administration – TVET TAFE
Brewarrina Central School
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