Gurkiran Kaur Kanwal
Campbelltown ,South Australia
Summary
Proven Support Coordinator with a track record of advocating for NDIS access and plan reviews, enhancing client independence through complex problem-solving and teamwork. At The Perfect Care, I excelled in liaising with diverse stakeholders and utilizing technical systems to improve service delivery outcomes. Skilled in verbal and written communication, I effectively advanced client advocacy and confidentiality.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Support Coordinator
The Perfect Care
08.2023 - Current
- Intake and assessments of new clients.
- Liaising with clients, private rental landlords, public & community housing providers to support clients with tenancy maintenance or obtain new tenancy.
- Supporting clients with tribunal hearings to advocate for clients to stay housed as barriers to independent living are addressed.
- Supporting clients through private rental applications and workshops, referral to rental liaison officers. Organizing transport / external support to assist with access to relevant technology required.
- Advocating for public/community housing, private rentals, SIL/ STA/SDA housing, Supported Residential Facilities, retirement villages, permanent aged care homes etc. Submitting support letters and housing needs assessments for needs prioritization.
- Supporting clients with NDIS Access in liaison with LACs. Guiding health professionals on evidence required, Access application and following up with NDIA.
- Referring clients to relevant interim support as they await NDIS application outcomes e.g., community connections. Family reunification; institutional referrals such as rehabilitation to address Alcohol and Drug dependence issues; Family reunification; Mental health supports through National Psychosocial Recovery Measure services.
- Addressing challenging barriers to accessing NDIS for clients with mental incapacity/ intellectual disabilities by involving the Department of Health Services/ Office of the Public Advocate (guardianship/attorney powers).
- Helping NDIS participants to understand their NDIS plans, linking to Plan Managers and service providers, advocating for timely plan reviews and encouraging client’s choice and control with respect to their person-centered needs and goals.
- Internal housing nominations withing the Toward Home Alliance and strong advocacy for prioritization of Prevent clients.
- Advocating for internal and external grants to support clients with various housing or personal needs.
- Linking clients with financial counselors/advisors/ home start finance/ legal services/office of the public advocate.
- Liaising with family safety services /Department of Child Protection to ensure families access and maintain safe accommodation.
- Offering culturally sensitive service delivery to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and communities from diverse backgrounds.
- Participation in communities of practice monthly meetings for discussions around continuous improvement of Toward Home Alliance service delivery and innovation.
Mental Health Support Worker
Flourish Australia
06.2019 - 07.2021
- Acting Specialized Service Planner (SSP) role when SSP was on leave, supervised the support workers in the program.
- Triaging referrals, conducting need assessments to identify supports required by the client.
- Developing consumer’s Agreed Support Plans, monitoring, and updating them as required to meet KPIs.
- Updating risk assessments as needed to ensure proper risk management strategies are in place as per organization policies.
- Providing rehabilitation-oriented and consumer-directed mental health support. This involves supporting clients to gain confidence to live independently and in the community. Support also involves assistance in safe transition back home after discharge from hospital, support moving from home to ILU/ACF, organizing daily routines, attending medical appointments, and reintegrating into the community for social connectedness.
- Supporting self-management e.g., clients to establish medication management routines and attend regular appointments with Older Persons Mental Health and other medical appointments.
- Advocacy for clients to access CHSP and HCP packages, liaising with stakeholders and encouraging clients to make informed decisions on available services when transitioning to mainstream services in the community.
- Organizing and attending RAS assessments and ACAT meetings for clients and advocating for services needed by the client.
- Conducting SACAT applications and attending hearings when required.
- Reviewing service delivery with the consumer and Older Persons Mental Health key workers, evaluation and collaborating to navigate barriers to achieving client’s goals.
- Establishing and maintaining skilled professional relationships with stakeholders.
- Maintaining peer support with other IPRSS colleagues and reporting issues of concern to management.
- Identifying areas of continuous improvement in service provision while undertaking organizational training such as Helping Hand way, Mental Health First Aid Accreditation, Understanding Dementia.
- Timely communication with clients, peers and other stakeholders via email and phone.
Personal Care Assistant
Orion Care
02.2018 - 06.2020
- Drove clients to shop for groceries, attend doctor appointments and run errands.
- Monitored vital signs and medication use, documenting variances and concerning responses.
- Worked closely with clinical staff to support therapeutic and behavioral plans.
- Examined and treated patient lacerations, contusions and physical symptoms and referred patients to other medical professionals.
- Providing support for people with severe and multiple disabilities.
- Assisting and encouraging residents to participate in lifestyle activities.
- Accurately recording daily activities, observing the conditions of clients, and reporting any changes to registered nurses.
- Assisting clients with mobility and communication with relevant stakeholders.
Education
Bachelors In Psychological Science - Psychology
University of South Australia
Adelaide, SA12.2019
Senior School Certificate - Central Board of Secondary Education
Sacred Heart Convent School
India 04.2018
Skills
- Complex Problem Solving
- NDIS Access advocacy, plan reviews and budget monitoring
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Conducting psychosocial assessment
- Information Confidentiality, accurate data reporting, monitoring and evaluation of service delivery
- Referral to mainstream agencies to meet relevant support needs
- Efficient in use of various databases within organizations (technically savvy) Adaptable and quick to learn new systems
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Hindi
Native or Bilingual
Punjabi
Professional Working
Certification
- First Aid training including CPR (current until September 2023)
- Mental Health First Aid training
Timeline
Support Coordinator
The Perfect Care
08.2023 - Current
Mental Health Support Worker
Flourish Australia
06.2019 - 07.2021
Personal Care Assistant
Orion Care
02.2018 - 06.2020
Bachelors In Psychological Science - Psychology
University of South Australia
Senior School Certificate - Central Board of Secondary Education
Sacred Heart Convent School
- First Aid training including CPR (current until September 2023)
- Mental Health First Aid training
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