Claire ROBINSON
Charlestown,NSW
Summary
Experienced and Compassionate Caseworker Seeking New Opportunities
Motivated and family-focused professional with over eight years of experience in child welfare and social services. Seeking to build upon the strong foundation developed in previous roles by expanding my professional skill set and applying my expertise in new and meaningful ways—particularly within non-governmental organisations that support at-risk children and their families.
I bring a proven ability to exercise sound judgment, especially in high-pressure situations, and a commitment to client advocacy, well-being, and empowerment.
Known for maintaining data integrity and providing client-centered education, I am a strong communicator who excels at working with culturally diverse populations and multidisciplinary teams.
Skilled in case management, crisis intervention, and needs assessment, I specialise in creating and implementing support plans tailored to the unique needs of each individual or family. My approach is rooted in empathy, patience, and respect, allowing me to effectively navigate challenging situations and achieve positive outcomes.
Recognised for high productivity, efficient task completion, and dedication to continuous improvement, I am now looking to take the next step in my career—contributing to an organisation where I can make a lasting difference while continuing to grow both personally and professionally.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Intensive Therapeutic Care Caseworker
Bright Now
Newcastle, 2300
01.2022 - 02.2023
- Delivered high-quality holistic case management to children and young people with complex needs.
- Utilised strengths-based practice and trauma-informed interventions to foster meaningful change.
- Facilitated case planning addressing social, emotional, educational, and health domains for youth.
- Promoted child-centered, family-focused approaches to support connections with significant others.
- Collaborated with Residential Team Manager and Bright Now team to enhance outcomes for youth.
- Developed Life Story Work to enrich children's cultural identity and needs.
- Ensured clear leaving care plans for youth over age fifteen, linking external services for continuity.
- Maintained comprehensive case files and documentation in compliance with legal requirements.
Permanency Support Program Case Manager
Samaritans Foundation
Newcastle
10.2020 - 09.2021
- Actively participate in appropriate placement of children and young people (CYP), aged 0-18 years according to their needs, including the matching process for care.
- Develop and implement a leaving care plan for each young person in consultation with the young person, their carer and/or their birth family and any other agencies involved.
- Support and Inform children and young person of their rights in care, and the leaving care process.
- Provide supervision and support directly with care team workers, annual performance reviews, and care team meetings.
- Managing care team rosters, timesheets, and annual leave management.
- Ensuring care team workers are adhering to Samaritans Policy and Procedure, and Legislative requirements.
- Participate in Case Conference and all other relevant meetings to ensure the young person’s needs are being met. Ensuring care team workers are following family time reporting requirements for court work.
- Development and Implementation of Behaviour Support Plans.
- Child and Adolescent Strengths and Needs Assessment (CANS).
- NDIS Proda and FACS Portal Restrictive Practice Authorization Work and reporting of restraint.
- Responding and addressing Risk of Significant Harm (ROSH).
- Managing the care homes through weekly house visits and ensuring that the environment is meeting the OOHC/OCG requirements.
- Support, Supervise, and train all staff working within the care homes.
- Facilitate the delivery of multi-layered supports to clients and their families both within the home and community-based settings.
- Providing quality support to the organisation and staff to identify carers and to sustain placement permanency, in accordance with the permanency placement principles.
- To help a Child/Young Person and Family/Kinship placement, identify and engage with support networks, to improve their capacity to provide the best possible permanent care arrangement, in line with the needs of the child/ren.
- To facilitate the delivery of therapeutic case management, underpinned by the NBRF (Needs Based Restorative Framework Model), which ensures all domains of Child or Young Person's life are addressed and supported. Additionally, the birth families are supported to improve their overall wellbeing and parenting capacity.
- Work within NSW Aboriginal Case Management Policy and guidelines, and the Children's and Young Persons Care and Protection Act 1998 No 157; including the 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child and Young Person Placement Principles.
- Work collaboratively with the CAU, CFDUs and Permanency Coordinators regarding alternative pathways and therapeutic support needs for any child or young person who is not eligible.
- Coordinated client assessments and developed individualised service plans.
- Facilitated support groups and community resource workshops for clients.
- Monitored client progress and adjusted care plans as necessary.
- Collaborated with healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive client care.
- Documented case notes and maintained accurate client records in systems.
- Advocated for clients' needs within social services and community organisations.
- Provided crisis intervention and conflict resolution to clients in distress.
- Trained new staff on case management procedures and best practices.
- Provided case management services including intake, assessment, crisis intervention, advocacy, referral and monitoring of families.
- Monitored client progress through regular follow-up contacts.
- Maintained accurate case records and documentation according to agency guidelines.
- Assessed clients' needs, developed service plans and monitored progress towards goals.
- Counseled clients on available resources within the community that could help meet their needs.
- Facilitated communication between clients, families, caregivers, social services and other agencies to ensure client needs were met.
- Developed trusting relationships with social services, health care providers and governmental agencies.
- Developed individualised care plans with input from clients and their families.
- Participated in regular team meetings and in-house training sessions to boost group effectiveness.
- Provided referrals to appropriate health care providers or other community resources.
- Adhered to ethical principles and standards to protect clients' confidential information.
- Compiled reports on cases and submitted them to supervisors as required.
Family Search and Engagement Specialist, Better Options Case Worker, and Residential Worker
Allambi Care
Charlestown, NSW
10.2016 - 11.2019
- Delivered quality support to organisation and staff, enhancing permanent care placements.
- Facilitated identification and engagement with support networks for children and families.
- Supervised staff interactions with children, siblings, foster carers, and birth families.
- Implemented therapeutic case management under Needs Based Restorative Framework Model.
- Coordinated multi-layered supports within home and community settings for clients.
- Collaborated on the development of long-term strategic goals for departmental programs.
- Ensured compliance with NSW Aboriginal Case Management Policy and relevant legislation.
- Participated in client grievance processes and monitored case plans effectively.
Day Shift Manager
Talulah Bar
Newcastle
09.2013 - 01.2016
- Supervised daily bar operations and staff scheduling.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Managed inventory levels and ordered supplies as needed.
- Trained new staff on service standards and protocols.
- Coordinated special events and private bookings efficiently.
- Resolved customer complaints and enhanced guest experiences.
- Monitored cash handling procedures and reconciled cash drawers.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff for seamless service delivery.
- Ensured safety protocols were followed at all times.
- Resolved customer complaints in a timely manner.
- Developed strategies for improving customer satisfaction levels.
- Performed regular maintenance checks on equipment used in daily operations.
- Provided guidance and support to staff members when needed.
- Maintained accurate records of sales and inventory data.
- Managed daily operations of the business, including scheduling staff and assigning tasks.
Store Manager
Industry Clothing Company
Newcastle
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Managed daily store operations to ensure efficient workflow and customer satisfaction.
- Trained and supervised staff on customer service and sales techniques.
- Developed visual merchandising strategies to enhance product presentation.
- Implemented inventory management practices to maintain optimal stock levels.
- Coordinated promotional events to drive foot traffic and increase sales visibility.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends and adjust strategies accordingly.
- Resolved customer inquiries and complaints to foster positive shopping experiences.
- Maintained store compliance with company policies and industry standards.
- Recruited, trained and supervised new employees.
- Conducted daily store operations, including opening and closing procedures and cash handling.
- Managed inventory tracking and physical inventory counts to minimize loss.
- Balanced sales, reconciled cash and made bank deposits to facilitate opening and closing duties.
- Resolved customer complaints in a timely manner.
- Created weekly work schedules for store personnel.
- Oversaw inventory management through cycle counts, audits and shrinkage control.
- Managed daily banking activities such as deposits and withdrawals.
Education
Diploma of Community Services - Family and Community Services
TAFE NSW
NSW12.2020
Skills
- Case management and advocacy
- Trauma-informed practice
- Strengths-based interventions
- Behavioral support planning
- Client relationship management
- Risk assessment and compliance
- Service coordination
- Team collaboration
- Effective communication skills
- Conflict resolution and mediation
- Emotional intelligence and self-awareness
- Problem solving strategies
- Training and supervision
- Records management and confidentiality
- Interpersonal communication skills
- Client interaction and engagement
- Behavioral observation techniques
- Regulatory compliance practices
- Issue identification and resolution strategies
- Recruiting support and ethical practice
- Home inspections and assessments
- Resilience building techniques
- Motivational interviewing skills
- Family engagement strategies
- Assessment skills and documentation practices
References
Hayley Daniels - Therapeutic Support Manager
0421 496 760
Tyson Kennet - Store Manager at Talulah Bar and Permanency Manager
0431 724 044
Timeline
Intensive Therapeutic Care Caseworker
Bright Now
01.2022 - 02.2023
Permanency Support Program Case Manager
Samaritans Foundation
10.2020 - 09.2021
Family Search and Engagement Specialist, Better Options Case Worker, and Residential Worker
Allambi Care
10.2016 - 11.2019
Day Shift Manager
Talulah Bar
09.2013 - 01.2016
Store Manager
Industry Clothing Company
01.2011 - 01.2013
Diploma of Community Services - Family and Community Services
TAFE NSW