CATHRINE MABUKU
Brisbane,Australia
Summary
Experienced social worker with over 5 years in disability, education, child safety, and public health. Skilled in managing complex caseloads, including individuals from trauma, mental health, disability, and diverse cultural backgrounds. Strong focus on client advocacy, empowering vulnerable populations, and building collaborative relationships with clients and multidisciplinary teams. Committed to ethical practice, continuous learning, and improving service delivery to support positive client outcomes.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Client Support Liaison
Queensland Positive People
02.2022 - Current
- Being the client's key point of contact
- Liaising with other care providers on the client's behalf to obtain information and scheduling appointments
- Deliver education modules to clients to develop their health and legal literacy about their condition
- Educate clients about their diagnosis, prescribed treatment, and side effects of treatment and how to manage them
- Provide clinical resources where to seek a second opinion, treatment or testing that may not be available locally, and how to access reliable sources of information
- Ensure any health information provided is accessible: this may include securing documents printed in the patient's own language or arranging for certified medical interpretation, either in-person or by phone/video conference
- Empower patients, families, and caregivers to assume as much responsibility for their care as possible, within the constraints of age, illness, and other factor
- Served as the primary point of contact, fostering strong relationships between internal teams and external partners.
- Coordinated multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and alignment with organizational objectives.
- Maintained a high degree of professionalism at all times, representing the organization with integrity in both internal and external interactions.
- Created and managed project plans, timelines and budgets.
- Provided comprehensive case management services for clients, leading to better resource connections and overall wellness outcomes.
- Streamlined documentation processes for increased efficiency in record-keeping and information sharing among team members.
- Assessed incoming patients in triage situations rapidly determining appropriate levels of care for each individual.
Child Safety Officer
Department of Children, Youth Justice, and Multicultural Affairs
02.2021 - 09.2021
- Respond and investigated reports of abuse or neglect
- Maintained legal documents for court proceedings and submitted testimony
- Addressed legal issues, assisting with hearings and providing testimony to inform custody arrangements
- Liaised between students, schools, courts, protective services and other stakeholders to support clients
- Identified appropriate community resources and provided referrals for services
- Entered client data in centralised database and maintained up-to-date case records for all clients
- Coordinated all activities involving birth parents in conjunction with in-home support counsellors
- Scheduled regular care team meetings to liaise with stakeholders
- Developed case plans and review reports documenting client progress
Child Safety Support Officer
Department of Children, Youth Justice, and Multicultural Affairs
11.2020 - 02.2021
- Demonstrated effective autonomy completing assigned tasks
- Maintained and updated files and records to support client information on ICMS
- Maintained cooperative working relationships with legal services, law enforcement, medical personnel, and schools to support child protective investigations
- Provided emotional support to children and families during assessments
- Fostered professional and positive relationships with community agencies to strengthen child resources
- Assisted Child Safety Officers with client engagement and identified challenges to assist with the assessment process
- Monitored progress of clients in active cases to identify service goal accomplishments and areas in need of improvement
- Monitored client compliance with court orders and reported status
- Processed referrals to obtain community resources for housing, public assistance, and healthcare services for clients
- Supervised visits between children and parents at various sites by setting up age-appropriate activities and maintaining safety of all participants
Disability Support Worker
Choice, Passion, Life - CPL
08.2017 - 07.2020
- Administered medications and other treatments to maintain ongoing care plans
- Organised community-based activities to promote integration and positive daily living
- Used reinforcement techniques to improve client's behaviours and help eliminate safety concerns
- Encouraged self-care to build confidence and skills for independent living
- Prepared or assisted with preparation of nutritious meals for clients
- Included activities offering meaningful experiences to clients of diverse ability levels
- Helped clients with daily living needs such as hygiene, grooming, and bathroom assistance
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team to evaluate medical and physical condition of each client and evaluate unique needs
- Established and maintained productive working relationships with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies
- Continuously monitored clients and recorded their progress against the measurable goals described in their treatment and care plans
Student Social Worker
Riverview State School
07.2019 - 12.2019
- Conducted functional behaviour assessments for children presenting significant behavioural challenges
- Developed the friendship club program to support students to build their self-esteem and social skills
- Communicated with Teachers to incorporate positive reinforcement strategies for students
- Collaborated with Teachers, Guidance Counselor's and Student Social Worker colleagues for consultation and support
- Communicated effectively with parents when discussing strategies to manage the needs of their children
Teacher's Aide
Acacia Ridge State School
02.2016 - 11.2016
- Demonstrated understanding of children and families from economically and culturally diverse backgrounds
- Helped maintain professional, learning-focused environments to support student development
- Supervised children consistently to maintain behaviour standards and group security
- Supported lead teacher in grading assignments, maintaining records, and preparing for class sessions
- Collaborated with lead teacher to identify and address students' behavioural challenges
Education
Bachelor of Social Work -
QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
01.2020
Diploma of Community Services -
SOUTHBANK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
01.2015
Skills
- Culturally-sensitive when engaging with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds
- Strong independent decision-making and critical thinking skills
- High skills in providing community service referrals to families as appropriate
- Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively to achieve client goals
- Ability to develop collaborative relationships with dstakeholders
- A people focused approach to working with adults, children and families
- Flexible, reliable, and committed to providing exceptional service
- Proficient in using microsoft office software
- Implement strengths-based practice to promote self-determination
- Verbal and written communication
- Records management
- Emotional awareness
Contactreferees
- Ruvimbo Choruma, Senior Team Leader, Department of Children, Youth Justice, and Multicultural Affairs, 0431 335 213
- Luke Caspar, Peer service coordinator, Queensland Positive People, 0406 049 265
Career Overview
An accomplished, highly motivated, and career-driven Social Worker offering over 5 years' experience in disability support, education, child safety, and public health focusing on exceptional client service, whilst consistently meeting and exceeding organisational and departmental goals. Highly established in managing caseloads of clients with diverse complexities who come from trauma backgrounds, disabilities, mental health, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and CALD communities, while maintaining a high level of professionalism throughout. I am proactive in identifying and building own capabilities to enable and develop positive, supportive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support the continued process of improvement and excellent client service delivery.
Timeline
Client Support Liaison
Queensland Positive People
02.2022 - Current
Child Safety Officer
Department of Children, Youth Justice, and Multicultural Affairs
02.2021 - 09.2021
Child Safety Support Officer
Department of Children, Youth Justice, and Multicultural Affairs
11.2020 - 02.2021
Student Social Worker
Riverview State School
07.2019 - 12.2019
Disability Support Worker
Choice, Passion, Life - CPL
08.2017 - 07.2020
Teacher's Aide
Acacia Ridge State School
02.2016 - 11.2016
Diploma of Community Services -
SOUTHBANK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Bachelor of Social Work -
QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
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