Briony Hackett
Katoomba,NSW
Summary
Dynamic Investigator with extensive experience at the Joint Child Protection Response Unit, DCJ, adept in crisis management and investigative techniques. Leveraged resilience and exceptional interpersonal skills to improve child safety outcomes and foster teamwork. Achieved significant advancements in case efficiency and family reunification processes, demonstrating strong analytical thinking and decision-making capabilities.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Child Protection Investigator
Joint Child Protection Response Unit, DCJ
Parramatta, NSW
03.2015 - 06.2023
- Conducted comprehensive assessments and investigation of criminal child safety and welfare cases, resulting in accurate evaluations and informed decisions.
- Worked closely with NSW Police Child Sexual Assault Squad and NSW Health Sexual Assault Counsellors, in a small elite unit, targeted at collaboratively investigating serious criminal child abuses matters.
- Reduced risk factors for children and families by implementing targeted interventions and monitoring progress closely.
- Expedited response times to reports of abuse or neglect by prioritizing cases based on urgency and severity.
- Improved child safety outcomes by conducting thorough investigations and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
- Maintained confidentiality throughout the investigative process, respecting the privacy rights of children and their families.
- Developed effective case plans tailored to individual family needs, fostering positive change and progress towards reunification.
- Demonstrated empathy towards families facing challenging circumstances while remaining objective during investigations.
- Evaluated complex situations involving multiple risk factors with accuracy while balancing urgency against potential harm.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on legislation changes affecting child protection practices, ensuring compliance at all times.
- Testified in court hearings as needed, providing factual evidence to support decision-making processes related to child welfare cases.
- Collaborated with law enforcement agencies during joint investigations, ensuring the wellbeing of all involved parties.
- Facilitated training sessions for new investigators, improving their understanding of policies, best practices, and legal requirements.
- Increased efficiency in case management by utilizing technology tools for data collection, analysis, and reporting.
- Participated actively in professional development opportunities, staying informed about the latest trends and best practices in child protection.
- Supported colleagues during high-stress situations, contributing to a cohesive work environment focused on protecting children''s wellbeing.
- Interviewed children, members of families, medical personnel and law enforcement to gain valuable information for each case.
- Conducted in-depth assessments to determine if children were safe from harm and abuse at home.
- Documented all relevant information by filling out forms and completing case reports.
- Devised and implemented safety plans for children suspected as victims of abuse or neglect.
- Remained objective in handling each case, especially when children and families were in high-stress situations.
- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
- Intervened in crisis situations and counseled children experiencing emergencies and disruptive incidents.
- Completed comprehensive assessments of families to identify needs and develop treatment plans.
- Collaborated with school personnel, parents and mental health providers to maintain comprehensive and integrated approach to student services.
- Facilitated family meetings to ensure communication and collaboration between family members.
- Worked with educational team to develop Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students.
- Implemented research-based interventions and strategies to support positive behavior and social-emotional development.
- Developed and implemented strategies to reduce and prevent family conflict.
- Arranged medical and psychiatric tests to identify difficulties and indicate potential remedial approaches.
Acting Manager, Joint Child Protection Response Unit
Department Of Communities And Justice
Parramatta, NSW
02.2017 - 02.2019
- Managed and motivated a team of Child Protection workers, to be productive and engaged in work, as well as allocated cases and provide briefing and debriefing sessions throughout.
- Liaised with police and health partners.
- Triaged reported matters on a daily basis.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Reported to upper management regarding child protection issues and outcomes.
- Kept a detailed database of infornation and approved assessments and court documents.
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns.
- Made decisions regarding the safety and care of children and young people.
Child Protection Caseworker
Department Of Communities And Justice
Chatswood, NSW And Multiple Locations
05.2006 - 03.2015
- Engaged youth in goal-setting processes, promoting self-advocacy skills necessary for a successful transition into adulthood upon leaving foster care.
- Provided crisis intervention to children and families, addressing immediate safety concerns and connecting them with appropriate resources.
- Enhanced family stability by providing support, resources, and guidance to parents and guardians.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams for comprehensive case management and better outcomes for children.
- Promoted a positive work environment within the agency through active participation in staff meetings, professional development opportunities, and peer support initiatives.
- Ensured timely referrals to specialized services such as mental health treatment or educational support based on identified needs during assessments.
- Maintained accurate case documentation, ensuring compliance with state regulations and agency policies.
- Reduced risk factors associated with child maltreatment through targeted prevention efforts aimed at strengthening parental capacity.
- Developed individualized service plans to address the unique needs of each child and family in the caseload.
- Demonstrated cultural competence by effectively engaging clients from diverse backgrounds, fostering trust, rapport, and open communication.
- Improved child safety by conducting thorough assessments and investigations of reported cases.
- Facilitated successful reunification of children with their families by implementing effective interventions and services.
- Participated in court hearings, providing testimony on behalf of the agency regarding case findings and recommendations.
- Established strong working relationships with community partners to enhance service delivery for children and families in need.
- Utilized trauma-informed care practices to promote healing among children who experienced abuse or neglect.
- Conducted home visits regularly, assessing living conditions and monitoring progress towards case plan goals.
- Supported successful transitions between placements for children, facilitating seamless communication among all involved parties.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
- Maintained detailed case histories, metrics and reports to meet strict standards.
- Intervened in crisis situations and counseled children experiencing emergencies and disruptive incidents.
- Completed comprehensive assessments of families to identify needs and develop treatment plans.
- Collaborated with school personnel, parents and mental health providers to maintain comprehensive and integrated approach to student services.
- Worked with educational team to develop Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students.
Education
Certificate IV In Workplace Training And Assessment - Teaching
HBA Learning Centre
North SydneyPost Graduate Diploma Of Psychology - Psychology
Monash University
Clayton, VICBachelor Of Arts In Criminology - Criminology
Griffith University
QLD2005
High School Certificate -
Wycliffe Christian School
Warrimoo, NSW1997
Skills
- Resilience and persistence
- Interviewing techniques
- Teamwork and cooperation
- Writing and verbal communication
- Case documentation
- Information gathering
- Crisis situations
- Data collection
- Safety planning
- De-escalation techniques
- Investigative techniques
- Trauma-informed care
- Time management
- Multitasking
- Excellent communication
- Organizational skills
- Decision-making
- Clinical documentation
- Interpersonal skills
- Analytical thinking
- Conflict resolution
Timeline
Acting Manager, Joint Child Protection Response Unit
Department Of Communities And Justice
02.2017 - 02.2019
Child Protection Investigator
Joint Child Protection Response Unit, DCJ
03.2015 - 06.2023
Child Protection Caseworker
Department Of Communities And Justice
05.2006 - 03.2015
Certificate IV In Workplace Training And Assessment - Teaching
HBA Learning Centre
Post Graduate Diploma Of Psychology - Psychology
Monash University
Bachelor Of Arts In Criminology - Criminology
Griffith University
High School Certificate -
Wycliffe Christian School