Open To Work
EMILLIA MAGENGEZHA
Mernda
Work Preference
Summary
Dedicated social work professional with extensive experience in child protection, mental health, family violence, and youth services in Australia and New Zealand. Proven expertise in crisis intervention, case management, safety planning, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Utilizes trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches to support individuals and families facing complex psychosocial challenges.
Overview
1
1
year of post-secondary education
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Youth worker
Cause
Melbourne, Vic
01.2024 - Current
- Encouraged youth clients to develop own activities and leadership skills through group discussions.
- Completed necessary reports and documentation to maintain thorough, accurate case records.
- Provided key emotional support to special needs youth.
- Managed and led activities promoting growth in mental, emotional, and educational areas.
Child Protection Practitioner
Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH)
Melbourne
05.2025 - 06.2026
- Completed comprehensive safety, wellbeing and developmental assessments to inform intervention strategies and enhance child protection outcomes.
- Conducted statutory child protection investigations in response to reports of abuse, neglect, cumulative harm and family violence.
- Developed, implemented and reviewed case plans to improve child safety and enhance parenting capacity and family functioning.
- Undertook home visits and direct engagement with children, parents, carers and extended family members to identify risks, strengths and protective factors.
- Collaborated with Police, schools, health services, legal professionals, family violence services and community agencies to coordinate support and resources for at-risk families.
- Prepared high-quality case notes, assessments, court documentation and recommendations within statutory timeframes.
- Participated in case conferences, multidisciplinary meetings, reflective supervision and decisions regarding ongoing involvement or case closure.
- Maintained accurate CRIS records and complied with legislative, policy, privacy and practice requirements.
School Social Worker
Edgars Creek Primary School
Wollert
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Conducted child and family assessments to identify and address social, emotional, behavioral, and family challenges for students.
- Assessed student needs through interviews and observations.
- Developed individualized support plans to address social and emotional challenges.
- Collaborated with teachers, wellbeing staff, families and external services to coordinate referrals and support plans.
- Led group counseling sessions to enhance social skills and resilience among students facing social difficulties.
- Collaborated with teachers to create a positive learning environment.
- Coordinated seminars on bullying prevention, substance abuse awareness, and anger management to promote student well-being and safety.
- Facilitated conflict resolution sessions among students to foster understanding and collaboration. between peers to promote understanding and cooperation. between peers.
- Investigated reports or indications of abuse, neglect or exploitation of at-risk adults, adolescents and children.
Mental Health Family Worker - Hospital-Based Role
Auckland District Health Board, Auckland Hospital & Starship Children's Hospital
10.2016 - 05.2022
- Supported patients and families through hospital admission, treatment planning, transitions of care and discharge planning.
- Guided patients and families through hospital admission, treatment planning, care transitions, and discharge planning to ensure comprehensive support.
- Completed risk screening, identified safeguarding concerns and contributed to safety planning and appropriate escalation pathways.
- Provided psychosocial and practical support to children, adults and families experiencing mental illness, trauma, addiction, grief, family violence and complex psychosocial circumstances.
- Assisted families to access mental health, addiction, family violence, housing, financial, disability, parenting and community supports.
- Supported parents and caregivers experiencing anxiety, depression, postnatal mental health concerns, trauma and family stress.
- Facilitated family engagement and advocacy, enabling informed decision-making while upholding confidentiality and accuracy in clinical documentation.
- Implemented recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally responsive practices to enhance patient-centered care.
Youth Worker
Life Plus Recruitment Agency
09.2018 - 06.2021
- Developed and led structured recreational and group activities that enhanced engagement, confidence, and positive relationships.
- Tracked progress against service plans while partnering with families, colleagues, and community services to ensure holistic support.
- Guided young people in achieving social, emotional, educational, and behavioural goals.
Child Protection and Safeguarding Experience
New Zealand - integrated across hospital, family support and community practice
04.2013 - 07.2016
- Identified and responded to child safety concerns involving abuse, neglect, family violence, parental mental illness, substance use and other psychosocial risks.
- Engaged children, parents, caregivers, and whanau to identify strengths, address concerns, and enhance safety and well-being.
- Collaborated with statutory child protection, healthcare, education, police, and community agencies to ensure coordinated intervention for at-risk children.
- Contributed assessment information, professional observations, referrals and case discussions to support child-centred decision-making.
- Applied trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches to support children and families facing crises and complex needs.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
Education
Postgraduate Diploma - Applied Practice of Social Work
UNITEC
New ZealandMental Health and Addiction Studies -
Auckland University of Technology
New ZealandBachelor of Health Science -
Auckland University of Technology
New ZealandDiploma - Mental Health Support Work
Auckland University of Technology
New ZealandCertificate Level 7 - Drug and Alcohol Studies
Auckland University of Technology
New Zealand 02.2013 - 01.2014
Master of Social Work -
Australian College of Applied Professions
MelbourneSkills
- Child Protection Investigations
- Case management
- Crisis Intervention
- Trauma-Informed Practice
- Psychosocial Assessment
- Discharge Planning
- Report writing
- Mental health
- MARAM-Informed Risk Assessment
- Family Violence & Safety Planning
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Culturally Responsive Practice
- Clinical documentation systems
- Professional strengths: Clear written and verbal communication, sound professional judgment, advocacy, relationship building, critical thinking, resilience, empathy, organization and commitment to continuous learning
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Emerging Minds professional development relating to culturally responsive practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities
- Aboriginal cultural safety, the impacts of colonisation and intergenerational trauma, and the importance of culture, kinship, Country, community and self-determination
- MARAM family violence risk assessment and safety planning
- Trauma-informed practice, Child Safe Standards and mandatory reporting
- Mental health recovery-oriented practice, crisis intervention and suicide/self-harm risk awareness
- Reflective practice, cultural responsiveness and multidisciplinary collaboration
Timeline
Child Protection Practitioner
Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH)
05.2025 - 06.2026
Youth worker
Cause
01.2024 - Current
School Social Worker
Edgars Creek Primary School
01.2023 - 01.2025
Youth Worker
Life Plus Recruitment Agency
09.2018 - 06.2021
Mental Health Family Worker - Hospital-Based Role
Auckland District Health Board, Auckland Hospital & Starship Children's Hospital
10.2016 - 05.2022
Child Protection and Safeguarding Experience
New Zealand - integrated across hospital, family support and community practice
04.2013 - 07.2016
Certificate Level 7 - Drug and Alcohol Studies
Auckland University of Technology
02.2013 - 01.2014
Postgraduate Diploma - Applied Practice of Social Work
UNITEC
Mental Health and Addiction Studies -
Auckland University of Technology
Bachelor of Health Science -
Auckland University of Technology
Diploma - Mental Health Support Work
Auckland University of Technology
Master of Social Work -
Australian College of Applied Professions