Alyssa Nichols
Palmview,QLD
Summary
I am a highly communicative individual with the ability to identify issues and make strong connections, necessary for working with children, their families and carers.
I am a motivated Carer Compliance Manager with high-level integrity and a strong desire to empower and advance the experiences of children and young people in out of home care.
I am compassionate and team-oriented, offering extensive knowledge of services, therapeutic framework and issue resolution methods for my clients and carers. I strive to provide excellent leadership, mentoring and supervision to my team.
I have experience working with culturally diverse families and know the significance of family and culture to identity.
In my previous role as a case worker, I had experience in working towards many different permanency goals including restoration, guardianship, adoption, kinship and long-term care.
I am currently completing a Diploma of counselling through the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors and will be accredited by the Australian counselling Association as a practising counsellor.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Carer Compliance Manager
Challenge Community Services
01.2022 - Current
- Work autonomously and provide direction and support to staff across multiple sites in Western NSW.
- Carer onboarding, probity checks, home inspection, annual documentation
- Compliance with the Office of Children's guardian - NSW Carers Register
- Internal and external auditing systems
- Placement matching
- Empower and advance the experiences of children, young people and foster carers.
- Develop strong relationships and engage with internal and external stakeholders, including carers, potential carers, and government and non-government agencies.
- Excellent time management skills
- Taking initiative is second nature.
- Maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
Carer Compliance Officer
Challenge Community Services
06.2021 - 01.2022
- Ensuring the organisation remains compliant with the internal and external requirements
- Conducting regular reviews with carers
- Ensure carers are developing and maintaining essential skills and documentation
- Deliver training
- Assess potential placement options for children and young people
- Engage with other service providers and in Community events
Case Worker
CareSouth
08.2018 - 10.2020
- I have responsibility for the day to day case management of children in out of home care.
- Supporting families and carers to ensure placements are safe, nurturing and child focused.
- Achieved permanency, safety and protection for children and young people that improves cultural, social, emotional, heath and educational outcomes.
- Providing direct professional case management to children, young people, their families and carers.
- Understanding of the issues facing vulnerable children and their families.
- Assessing and case managing the complex individual needs of children and young people, their natural families and their carers using a culturally responsible, therapeutic and trauma informed approach.
- Working collaboratively with the Department of Communities and Justice as well as other stakeholders to identify, support and achieve permanent outcomes for children that align with the permanent placement principles.
- Ongoing work with families and carers to identify concerns and safety risks.
- Ensuring the children and young persons voice is heard and they are actively participating in planning and decision-making processes.
- A comprehensive understanding of child development and knowledge of the impact of children being removed from their families.
- Working with a diverse range of young people, families and carers.
- Working with children diagnosed with emotional, mental and behavioral disorders and delivered high-quality case management.
- Coordinated leaving care/restoration of clients with outside healthcare resources and formulated individualized service plans with both long-term and short-term goals.
- Collaborated with case managers and community partners to deliver effective case collaboration.
- Achieved family goals for clients by providing referrals, resources and tools for assistance.
- Assisted families in developing problem-solving and coping skills by providing guidence and referring to appropriate community agencies.
- Conducted home, school and community visits to assigned clients to assess client's level of care and provide guidance towards meeting treatment goals.
- Developed rapport to create safe and trusting environment for care.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
Vacation/Afterschool Instructor
Sherpa Kids
04.2018 - 01.2019
- To recognise needs of children at different stages of development.
- To supervise the children at all times, ensuring their wellbeing and safety.
- To check the programs equipment and make sure it is adequate before the program starts.
- Ensure equipment should be varied enough to offer a stimulating program.
- To treat all children with dignity and respect.
- To assist the Coordinator actively in the planning, implementing and evaluation of the Program.
- Managed behavioral issues and used positive behavior strategies for students.
- Supervised students during outdoor exercise periods, monitoring group and individual safety.
- Connected and frequently communicated with students and parents regarding programs, policies and individual needs.
- Scheduled activities, including mini-lessons, art projects and unstructured playtime for school-age children.
- Selected and prepared nutritious snacks and educational toys for students.
- Implemented student safety measures, to minimize accidents.
School Learning Support Officer
North Goulburn Public School
08.2017 - 10.2018
- Under the supervision and direction of the class teacher, assist in classroom activities, school routines and the care and management of students with special needs.
- Implementing individual learning plans.
- Assisting students to develop personal, social and/or independent skills.
- Assisting with the planning of learning activities -Using strategies, in liaison with the teacher, to support students to achieve learning and/or social goals .
- Attending to the personal care needs of students unable to assist themselves.
- Caring for and management of students with special learning needs, disabilities and behavioural problems.
- Assisting with First Aid.
- Attending Program Support Group meetings.
- Participating in professional development sessions and regular Professional Learning Team meetings.
- Carrying out administrative-type work, including photocopying, laminating, data entry,displays and other administrative tasks as required.
- Providing assistance with school routines.
- Creating and providing resources for teaching staff to ensure students with learning needs are assisted in the classroom and given the best opportunity for inclusion and success.
- Communicating with other Learning Support Officers to ensure the continuity of programs.
- Assist students on an individual or group basis across all levels.
- Liaised with faculty, students and parents to deliver cohesive understanding of learning goals and classroom improvements.
- Coordinated use of learning resources and support aids for students with disabilities.
- Supported teachers in classroom operations, including identifying student learning needs.
- Assisted with developing and implementing teaching techniques to deliver quality learning process for all students.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to benefit each students diverse learning styles.
- Promoted awareness regarding learning modalities and student needs to improve outcomes.
International Travel Consultant
Flightcentre
12.2009 - 04.2017
- Front-line customer service.
- Planning, creating and booking domestic and international flights, accommodation, transfers, tours, cruise, coach and train travel.
- Responsibilities include price monitoring, scheduling, client database management, budgeting, time management and excellent communication skills.
- Kept network of international agents to simplify and streamline international bookings.
- Organized and maintained VIP traveler program with discounts and special deals.
- Tracked unused customer tickets to exchange toward future trips and personal expenses.
- Asked open-ended questions to better ascertain client needs and determine best international travel offerings.
- Discussed security issues and protocols with individuals traveling to highly insecure areas.
- Developed loyal clientele base due to excellent listening and research skills and keen understanding of travel budgets.
- Arranged travel accommodations for groups, couples, executives and special needs clients.
- Kept abreast of all airline rules, regulatory requirements and industry standards when scheduling travel arrangements.
Newsagency Assistant
Steins Newsagency
06.2004 - 05.2010
- Welcome and advise customers.
- Ensure goods are well displayed.
- Handle payments.
- Operate NSW Scratchies and Lotteries.
- Arrange ordering and delivery.
- Receive deliveries from suppliers.
- Keep the shop floor clean and tidy.
Travel Consultant
Travelworld
01.2008 - 12.2009
- Working directly with customers and suppliers across the world including: airlines, accommodation and tour suppliers, insurance companies, foreign currency providers, international consulates and more.
- Developed loyal clientele base due to excellent listening and research skills and keen understanding of travel budgets.
- Kept abreast of all airline rules, regulatory requirements and industry standards when scheduling travel arrangements.
- Supervised credit and debit payments while handling sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
- Discussed security issues and protocols with individuals traveling to highly insecure areas
- Arranged travel accommodations for groups, couples, executives and special needs clients.
Education
Primary Education
University Of Canberra
Canberra12.2025
Diploma of Counselling
Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors
Sydney08.2024
Step By Step Assessor
Association of Children's Welfare Agencies
Sydney07.2024
Shared Lives Training Facilitator
Association of Children's Welfare Agencies
Sydney07.2021
Diploma - Diploma of Travel And Tourism
TAFE NSW
11.2010
Higher School Certificate - H.S.C
Mulwaree High School
Goulburn11.2007
Skills
- Shared Lives Facilitator
- Step by Step Assessor accredited with years of experience using the Step-by-Step Carer Assessment tool
- Lead a team of professionals, providing direction and support
- Can work autonomously
- Ability to form strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Skilled community-based Case Manager in child protection
- Records Management
- Crisis Intervention
- High Interpersonal and written communication
- Take initiative with excellent time management skills
- Working with Children Check and Blue Card
- First Aid/CPR
- Working With Vulnerable People check
- NDIS Worker Check Clearance
Referees
Bradley Burns
Senior Advisor - First Nations
Challenge Community - Fostercare
Maree Simon
Regional Manager
Challenge Community - Fostercare
Melinda Baird
Team Leader
CareSouth Goulburn
Bethamie Woodstone
Manager
CareSouth Goulburn
All contact details can be provided on request
Timeline
Carer Compliance Manager
Challenge Community Services
01.2022 - Current
Carer Compliance Officer
Challenge Community Services
06.2021 - 01.2022
Case Worker
CareSouth
08.2018 - 10.2020
Vacation/Afterschool Instructor
Sherpa Kids
04.2018 - 01.2019
School Learning Support Officer
North Goulburn Public School
08.2017 - 10.2018
International Travel Consultant
Flightcentre
12.2009 - 04.2017
Travel Consultant
Travelworld
01.2008 - 12.2009
Newsagency Assistant
Steins Newsagency
06.2004 - 05.2010
Primary Education
University Of Canberra
Diploma of Counselling
Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors
Step By Step Assessor
Association of Children's Welfare Agencies
Shared Lives Training Facilitator
Association of Children's Welfare Agencies
Diploma - Diploma of Travel And Tourism
TAFE NSW
Higher School Certificate - H.S.C
Mulwaree High School
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