Emz Ledingham
Southport
Summary
I am a passionate person with a love for people. I have been working in the Youth & Community sector for 12 years now and have loved every moment. I enjoy new challenges and learning new skills. I am hardworking and dedicated to the work I do and the people I do it for. I believe if you are doing something you love, you never really work a day in your life. I have particularly worked with vulnerable and at-risk young people in education and community settings and done so with a focus of building up those young people with the skills that will support them to become resilient, confident, and positive members of the community.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Logan/Gold Coast Youth Co-Responder
Youth Justice
04.2023 - Current
- In my current role I work collaboratively with QPS to engage with young people who may be at risk or who are already engaging in committing offences
- Our job is to provide early interventions so young people can access support in hopes of gaining positive outcomes and to avoid time in custody.
- As a Youth Co-Responder working alongside QPS our goal is to build relationships with the young people and their families within the community and build more positive relationships between ourselves, QPS and the young people we interact with
- We conduct patrols in the community and check in with young people who may be on bail conditions such as curfews or other bail restrictions and make sure they are staying on track and providing any assistance they may need to keep on track
- We would provide programs and early intervention to families and connect them with the appropriate supports in their local community.
Watch house Youth Worker
Youth Justice
12.2022 - Current
- I was given the opportunity to conduct welfare checks during the 2022 Christmas period when there was large influx of young people being arrested during that time and both Beenleigh and Southport watch houses had an overflow of young people waiting to be transferred to Brisbane Youth Detention Centre
- Unfortunately, due to the increase of youth crime, BYDC was also experiencing an overflow of young people in custody, therefore young people were not being transferred as fast as they should be due to no beds being available
- At the time young people in custody in the watch houses were at times staying for over 45+ days before they were given a bed at BYDC, therefore their mental health and risk of trauma in custody were at large
- On my visits I will check in on their mental health, hygiene, medical needs, physical health, and basic human needs
- I would also facilitate a phone call to their families where the young people could speak with their families with no real time restrictions
- Due to the length of custody stays I also delivered strength-based interventions that had positive results.
Senior Youth Worker - Transition 2 Success
Youth Justice
10.2022 - 04.2023
- T2S is a vocational pathways program that holds a large element of adventure-based learning, due to it practicality and outdoors approach we find young people learning without really noticing they are learning. As the senior youth worker, it was my responsibility to support my team by playing my part to create a strong, consisted, and pro-active team member.
- I was involved in the planning, assessment, and risk management of the daily activities and development of skillset programs that built pro-social skills and addressed criminogenic behaviours.
- The young people we work with come with complex behaviours as well as substance abuse which can contribute to heightened behaviours and possible risks.
- This means building strong relationships, holding strong communication skills that can help de-escalate situations, if need be, and stay calm.
- Encouraged young people to develop own activities and leadership skills through group discussions.
- Contributed to development of individualized plans to support young people with goal achievement.
- Completed necessary reports and documentation to maintain thorough, accurate case records.
- Organized and facilitated recreational activities to engage youth in positive, team-building experiences.
Work Readiness Officer
Busy Schools Coolangatta
06.2022 - 09.2022
- As a Work Ready Officer I had the pleasure to develop the work readiness program which was being delivered in all Busy Schools across QLD
- The work readiness program covered topics such as wellness, personal identity, communication, resumes and career types
- This program was delivered to the students 3 days a week, which included ABL (Adventure Based Learning) activities that would encourage them to engage and have an opportunity to learn through doing
- I would attend the stakeholders’ breakfast and meeting to develop my network of supports I could then provide my young people, and this would include business owners looking to give young people an opportunity to gain work experience or paid work.
- Collaborated with administration and teachers to develop crisis plans.
- Utilized clear communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with students and parents.
- Provided key emotional support to special needs youth.
- Supported and mentored students in developing skills to become successful in community.
- Developed and maintained relationships with partner organizations to facilitate access to youth-related resources.
RESIDENTIAL YOUTH WORKER
All Care Australia
04.2022 - 06.2022
- As a residential youth worker at ACA, I was responsible for the wellbeing and care of young people who were in out of home care
- Responsibilities included house duties, creating a safe environment for the young person, building repours though social activities, family contact and engaging the young people in their community and education
- I was also responsible for creating shift notes and incident reports and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to create the best outcomes for the young people in care.
YOUTH WORKER
Southport Flexible Learning Centre
07.2016 - 04.2022
- As a Youth Worker at Southport FLC my key responsibilities were wellbeing and adventure-based learning
- Youth Workers were to collaborate with other staff members including teaching staff to develop individual learning plans to best support the young person in achieving their goals
- I was responsible for the planning of programs through out the school which focused on topics such as, LGBTIQ+ inclusive programs and implementations, instructing kayak groups, hiking, and navigating through mapping, sports, life skills programs that focused on job skills, cooking, communication, team building, resilience and self-esteem
- In each learning plan we would involve the young persons individual needs and voice, so they feel heard
- Our values were to work on common ground with the young people and work together as a community to work through problems and celebrate our success’s
- As a youth worker, I was given a case load of 20 young people who I supported directly, although was a part of weekly and daily meetings and debriefs to discuss all young people of concern to advocate for what they may need.
- Assisted in identifying and reducing barriers to youth engagement and development.
- Provided guidance and advice to youth, supporting navigation of diverse personal and social issues.
- Developed and delivered educational workshops to support youth in understanding and navigating real-world experiences.
- Conducted home visits to assess living environment and provided appropriate referrals.
- Offered support and direction to families and coordinated with court system and other community agencies for treatment.
- Documented progress in treatment plans, educational, and recreational activities and maintained updated case records.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with community resources for successful referrals.
- Utilized evidence-based practices to provide effective interventions for students.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Nerang PCYC
02.2014 - 02.2016
- As the Youth Development Officer, I was to focus on Youth development & Crime prevention in & around the local area
- I developed and delivered ‘In & out of school’ programs all over the Gold Coast in both junior and senior years
- These programs focus on bullying, anger-management, leadership, team building, mentoring, re-engagement, and life skills
- I also delivered programs alongside police officers for young offenders to help build their confidence and support them to choose a different path
- In my role I lead and organized camps and explorations with young people to help develop resilience and perseverance
- I also had the pleasure of being a part of the delivery for the Duke of Ed program and organized fundraisers, volunteering, PCYC Discos and networked to develop strong community relationships
- In my role I started a regular outreach program for young people who used the local skate park
- In doing this I formed partnership with local council, businesses, and other services to provide sponsorship & support for “Skate Jams, Comps, and regular BBQ’s
- I resigned from this job due to moving states and parenting my newborn son for 4 months before returning to work on the Gold Coast.
YOUTH WORKER/PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Youth Connect Gold Coast
04.2011 - 02.2014
- In my time at Youth Connect GC I had the privilege to form the foundation for the service
- It was my first paid job as a Youth Worker and a new service, so it was very challenging but also very rewarding to be a part of
- The service was made under the “Youth at Risk Initiative” (Y.A.R.I) which relied heavily on case management and providing positive outlets for “at risk” young people around the area
- At Youth Connect we provided “in School” programs and activities after school such as life skill, sports programs & workshops
- In my 2 years at Youth Connect, I got promoted from Youth Worker to Program Coordinator
- I found such a passion for program development and created two programs while I was there, such as; BOOST – which was an Anti-bullying Program which was created around building self-esteem, understanding the power of voice, self-awareness and strategies that would support the young people to become more confident to tackle bullying in and around them in their adolescence & COOL IT - which was an Anger Management program that was created to support the young people to develop self-regulation strategies, mindfulness and energy outlets
- Both programs used creative arts, body movement group activities, sports, and discussion to engage the specific audience.
Education
Year 12 -
Southern Cross K-12
1999
Certificate IV in Youth Work -
Ashmore T.A.F.E
2010
Diploma of Counseling -
Australian Institute of Applied Psychology Brisbane
2016
Bachelor in Counselling -
ACAP (Australian Institute of Applied Psychology Brisbane)
Skills
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
- Flexible and Adaptable
- MS Office
- Problem Resolution
- Attention to Detail
- Organizational Skills
- Team Player
- Networking
- Problem-Solving
- Calm Under Pressure
- Time Management
Pronouns
they/she
Certificates Licenses
- Current First Aid & CPR (Previously the First Aid Officer at Southport Flexible Learning Centre)
- Mental Health First Aid
- Flatwater guide (Kayak instructor)
- Group Development Facilitation Training (GDF) – at The Outlook
- Hope and Healing
- Current Blue/WWCC Card & Current Police Check
- LR License
- LCS – 2 Screening Check
- Registered Counselor at ACA (Australian Counselling Association)
- ABN: 68834294180
References
Brooke Taylor, Head of Campus, Southport Flexible Learning Centre, 0439 991 018 TJ Diop, Social & Emotional Wellbeing Worker, Kalwun, 0408 315 702
Timeline
Logan/Gold Coast Youth Co-Responder
Youth Justice
04.2023 - Current
Watch house Youth Worker
Youth Justice
12.2022 - Current
Senior Youth Worker - Transition 2 Success
Youth Justice
10.2022 - 04.2023
Work Readiness Officer
Busy Schools Coolangatta
06.2022 - 09.2022
RESIDENTIAL YOUTH WORKER
All Care Australia
04.2022 - 06.2022
YOUTH WORKER
Southport Flexible Learning Centre
07.2016 - 04.2022
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Nerang PCYC
02.2014 - 02.2016
YOUTH WORKER/PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Youth Connect Gold Coast
04.2011 - 02.2014
Year 12 -
Southern Cross K-12
Certificate IV in Youth Work -
Ashmore T.A.F.E
Diploma of Counseling -
Australian Institute of Applied Psychology Brisbane
Bachelor in Counselling -
ACAP (Australian Institute of Applied Psychology Brisbane)
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