Clare Harris
Macleod,VIC
Summary
Professional Practitioner and Specialist Teacher with extensive experience at Holstep Health excelling in family support, case management and inclusive education. Proven ability to develop inclusive programs and fostering collaboration in a multi-disciplinary team. Skilled in disability assessments and committed to advocating for child welfare, ensuring positive outcomes for families and children with complex needs.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Complex Disability Support Practitioner (.8EFT) & Disability Consult Role - Specialist Teacher (.2EFT)
Holstep Health (formerly Merri Health)
07.2021 - Current
- Work within a multi-disciplinary team including Social Workers, Psychologists and Youth Workers
- Provide support and case management to families who have a child with complex disability needs, who are at risk of requiring care out of home.
- Develop action plans that support families with parenting skills, carer fatigue and parent/child relationships.
- Provide outreach visits to families at home or in the community.
- Liaise closely with other services including schools, NDIS professionals, GP/Paediatricians, Mental health services.
- Attend regular meetings with DFFH and Community of Practice (ACD)
- Provide consults for children within the program who have developmental concerns and neurodiversity, inclusion support, childcare observations, NDIS guidance to families and team members and referrals to ECA-BSL for NDIS funding
- Acting Senior Social Worker on two occasions (2024 & 2023), supervising the CCDSN Program and one team member
- Key Responsibilities
Pathways Co-ordinator (.4EFT)
Merri Health
01.2024 - 06.2024
- To work within a multi-disciplinary team including Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, Psychologist and Audiologist
- In collaboration with the Occupational Therapist, triage referrals received from Early Childhood/Kindergarten Teachers, M&CH Nurses, Pre-school Field Officers, and families.
- Liaise with stake holders and parents to gather further information re developmental concerns and appropriate pathways.
- Schedule appointments and Administer Ages and Stages Questionnaires’ together with the Occupational Therapist
- Develop Care Plans for individual children. Complete referrals to Child Health Team or ECA-NDIS, providing support to families and referrer with process and paperwork.
- Attend training/information sharing sessions with Early Childhood Team from Darebin Council, local agencies, and Early Learning Settings
- Key Responsibilities
ECA Intake and Access Officer (.2EFT)
Merri Health
08.2023 - 12.2023
- Assist children (0-6) with developmental delay or disability, their families, and carers to build and pursue their goals, exercise choice and control and engage with the NDIS.
- Provide information to families regarding the ECA Approach, NDIS, and Merri Health, and be the first point of contact to families.
- Gather initial child and family information; provide entry screening; scheduling appointments for further ECEI assessments and supports and follow up as needed.
- Key Responsibilities
Key Worker/ Specialist Teacher (.6EFT)
Merri Health Preston
02.2014 - 07.2021
- Work within a trans-disciplinary team supporting families with children who have a developmental delay or disability.
- Work closely with families using a strength-based, family centred approach to develop goals and strategies to best assist children’s developmental progress.
- Collaborate, plan, and deliver therapy services within the ECI team to meet the needs of all children receiving service.
- Participate in case conferences and secondary consultations, prepare reports and referrals to other professionals for opinion/management.
- Support families with managing NDIS plans and paperwork, attend review meetings and provide advocacy and information as required.
- Liaise closely with Childcare Centres, Kindergartens and Primary Schools providing advice, education, strategies, and resources to best support the child and family.
- Co-facilitate a range of group programs that are inclusive and support language development, social connectedness, fine/gross motor skills and basic musical skills.
- Acting Team Leader of Merri Kids (.8EFT) March - June 2021
- Key Responsibilities
Self Employed as a Music & Movement Educator
Music Fun for Everyone
08.2009 - 08.2024
- Plan and conduct music and movement classes for pre-school children of all abilities and their parents/carers in community settings in Fairfield and Heidelberg, and within childcare and kindergarten settings.
- Plan and conduct ukulele courses for adults and young people within the community, at Alphington Primary School and Preston Primary School.
- Manage all aspects related to owning and running a small business, i.e., bookkeeping, advertising, development and maintenance of website and Facebook page, marketing & promotions
- Key Responsibilities
Group Facilitator – Young Mothers Group
City of Whittlesea Outreach MCHN Service
02.2003 - 11.2003
- To plan and co-facilitate a weekly Young Mothers Group based in Epping
- Using a strength-based approach, offer support and assistance to women as needed, and plan engaging and relevant sessions
- To liaise closely with Maternal Child Health Professionals and workers from various community support agencies to ensure a high level of support and assistance was provided to the young women and their children.
- To assist volunteers with meal planning and preparation and to offer advice and support to volunteers involved in the provision of child care
- Participate in regular debriefing sessions
- Key Responsibilities
School Linked Counsellor
MacKillop Family Services, Kensington
06.2001 - 12.2001
- Liaising with schools across Melbourne, providing support and consultancy to welfare staff and welfare support groups
- To provide consultation and assistance to schools in the areas of Student Welfare, Behaviour Management and classroom strategies
- Plan, develop and facilitate in-service training to school staff
- To assist schools in developing community-based networks and provide information regarding community resources and referral support
- To work as part of a team within schools and within the organisation attending regular team meetings and supervision
- Key Responsibilities
Case Manager/Counsellor
Strengthening Families – Children’s Protection Society, Reservoir
11.1998 - 06.2001
- To provide case management, family and individual counselling both on site and on an outreach basis
- To liaise with Child Protection and other community agencies
- Plan and facilitate educational and therapeutic groups to clients in a variety of settings. These Groups included Parenting, Young Mothers Group, Women’s Group
- Conduct Risk/Strength/Needs Assessments and coordinate approved brokerage funds to families.
- Work within a team attending regular team meetings and supervision sessions.
- Supervise welfare and social work students while on placement.
- Key Responsibilities
Alcohol & other Drugs Outreach Worker
Women and Children’s Drug and Alcohol Service (WESTADD) Sunshine
07.1996 - 11.1998
- To provide counselling and case management to women, young people and their families both on site and on an outreach basis
- To devise and facilitate educational, recreational and therapeutic groups for women, young people and their families both on site and within the community
- To provide assessment, brief intervention and appropriate referrals to women, young people and their families
- To liaise with Child Protection, early childhood centres, schools and other community support services
- To work within a multidisciplinary team, developing individual treatment plans and participating in regular case reviews
- To set up an authorised occasional care centre, supervising the childcare educator and several volunteers
- Key Responsibilities
Family worker
Westadd Women’s Program, Sunshine
11.1995 - 06.1996
- To provide a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment for children living in or visiting the program
- To develop age-appropriate activities for children, that consider their individual, cognitive, social, emotional and psychological needs
- To support families to access family services within the community
- To provide education and information to women regarding their child’s development and needs
- To encourage the development of positive family relationships
- To work within a multidisciplinary team, developing individual treatment plans and participating in regular case reviews
- Key Responsibilities
Camp Counsellor
Camp Kennolyn, California, USA
06.1995 - 09.1995
- Provide children aged 6 -15 years support and care while living at Camp
- Planning and conducting guitar, drama and craft classes
- Coordinating outdoor activities such as camping, hiking and leisure activities
- Key Responsibilities
Nanny
Various families in London, UK
10.1993 - 05.1995
- This role involved sole care for children aged 0-10 years in their own homes, catering for all physical, social and emotional needs.
- Key Responsibilities
Child Care Educator
Birrali House Child Care Centre, Benalla
04.1990 - 07.1993
- Provide all aspects of care to children aged 1-5years.
- Plan and facilitate age-appropriate activities catering for children of all abilities.
- Liaise closely with parents and work closely with other staff members.
- Key Responsibilities
Education
Years 7-10 - undefined
FCJ College
01.1984
Years 11 & 12 (HSC) - undefined
Galen College
01.1986
Diploma of Teaching - Primary
La Trobe University
01.1989
Post Graduate Diploma of Educational Studies - Student Welfare
Melbourne University
01.1998
Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching - with Distinction
RMIT Melbourne
01.2013
Holistic Integrated Creative Art Therapy - undefined
Mind Body Education
08.2025
Skills
- Current Drivers Licence
- Current registration - Victorian Institute of Teaching
- Singing, playing guitar and ukulele
- Cookery
- Gardening
Timeline
Pathways Co-ordinator (.4EFT)
Merri Health
01.2024 - 06.2024
ECA Intake and Access Officer (.2EFT)
Merri Health
08.2023 - 12.2023
Complex Disability Support Practitioner (.8EFT) & Disability Consult Role - Specialist Teacher (.2EFT)
Holstep Health (formerly Merri Health)
07.2021 - Current
Key Worker/ Specialist Teacher (.6EFT)
Merri Health Preston
02.2014 - 07.2021
Self Employed as a Music & Movement Educator
Music Fun for Everyone
08.2009 - 08.2024
Group Facilitator – Young Mothers Group
City of Whittlesea Outreach MCHN Service
02.2003 - 11.2003
School Linked Counsellor
MacKillop Family Services, Kensington
06.2001 - 12.2001
Case Manager/Counsellor
Strengthening Families – Children’s Protection Society, Reservoir
11.1998 - 06.2001
Alcohol & other Drugs Outreach Worker
Women and Children’s Drug and Alcohol Service (WESTADD) Sunshine
07.1996 - 11.1998
Family worker
Westadd Women’s Program, Sunshine
11.1995 - 06.1996
Camp Counsellor
Camp Kennolyn, California, USA
06.1995 - 09.1995
Nanny
Various families in London, UK
10.1993 - 05.1995
Child Care Educator
Birrali House Child Care Centre, Benalla
04.1990 - 07.1993
Years 7-10 - undefined
FCJ College
Years 11 & 12 (HSC) - undefined
Galen College
Diploma of Teaching - Primary
La Trobe University
Post Graduate Diploma of Educational Studies - Student Welfare
Melbourne University
Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching - with Distinction
RMIT Melbourne
Holistic Integrated Creative Art Therapy - undefined
Mind Body Education
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