Erin Kenna

In my role at Kids Helpline, I have worked with single contact and regular on-going clients via phone and webchat. I hold a space for clients that is client-centred, relational, strengths-based, empowering and respectful. I case manage clients which requires regular collaboration with supervisors and wrap around care with external services. I facilitate safeguarding conversations and decisions with young people, guided by our Duty of Care Policy, that has a focus on empowering young people. For clients, this results in increased safety and confidence in their own ability to help seek and make changes in their life. I am also a WHS champ in the NSW team and have a particular passion for counsellor/supervisor care and psychological safety.

I provided on-going face- to -face (as well as video conferencing and phone) support to young people with diverse needs including complex trauma, mental health diagnoses and safety concerns. I collaborated with schools, provided referrals, managed safety concerns with DCJ/police/NSW Mental Health, facilitated group programs, managed Work Development Order requests, supported caregivers and managed data entry for funding requirements. I held a space where young people could safely be themselves. The result of this was the healing and personal growth of the young people I worked with and the development of my professional identity.

I worked as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide young people Applied Behaviour Anaylsis (ABA) therapy. I delivered programs in a variety of settings including school and home, that adhered to a child-focused and client-centred approach. I gained an understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder and the complexities of family systems which means I am able to adjust my practice to adhere to neurodiverse needs and prioritise working with clients in the context of their family system.

In this role I trained new teachers, provided teachers skills-based feedback, and managed parent requests. I held a Duty of Care for all children in the pool and facilitated safety protocols as needed in a calm manner. I learnt to prioritise safety concerns in a fast paced environment with on-going conflicting demands.