Jennifer Nicolai
Mackay
Summary
Child safety professional prepared for this role, with commitment to safeguarding children through thorough risk assessments and effective intervention strategies. Skilled in case management, crisis response, and building trust with families and communities. Known for strong team collaboration, adaptability, and consistently achieving positive outcomes. Reliable and flexible in meeting changing needs while maintaining high standards of care and protection.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Child Safety Officer
Qld Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety
06.2018 - Current
- Developed strong relationships with community partners, collaborating on initiatives aimed at promoting child well-being and reducing risk factors.
- Facilitated access to essential resources and support services for vulnerable families, enhancing their overall well-being.
- Conducted investigations into reported cases of abuse or neglect, gathering evidence and interviewing all relevant parties.
- Consulted with culturally appropriate authorities and practiced cultural sensitivity in decision-making.
- Safeguarded the welfare of children through consistent monitoring and follow-up visits, ensuring ongoing compliance with placement agreements.
- Maintained open lines of communication with supervisors regarding difficult cases, seeking guidance and support when needed.
- Fostered a culture of cooperation within the child safety team, sharing resources and expertise with colleagues to promote better outcomes for families.
- Mentored junior officers, promoting professional development and enhancing team performance in safeguarding children.
- Enhanced expertise in child protection laws and regulations through participation in professional development trainings.
- Efficiently managed high caseloads while maintaining quality service delivery through effective time management skills.
- Upheld ethical standards in all aspects of work as a Child Safety Officer, ensuring confidentiality and treating families with respect and empathy.
- Ensured timely interventions by maintaining accurate documentation and reporting concerns promptly to appropriate authorities.
- Assisted in reunification processes, providing guidance and support to families working towards a safe home environment for their children.
- Provided crisis intervention during emergency situations, offering immediate assistance and support to affected children and families.
- Facilitated family meetings, mediating discussions focused on creating safer environments for children in the household.
- Provided testimony in court proceedings.
Head English Teacher
International and Infant School
09.2012 - 12.2014
- Developed comprehensive English curriculum aligned with international standards.
- Mentored and trained junior teachers to enhance instructional techniques.
- Implemented innovative teaching strategies to improve student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Coordinated assessment and evaluation processes to track student progress effectively.
- Led professional development workshops for faculty to promote best practices in language instruction.
- Enhanced language skills in students by utilizing diverse media sources for authentic listening and reading practice.
- Reduced discipline issues by creating an inclusive classroom culture that respected all learners'' needs and backgrounds.
- Evaluated student work using both formative and summative assessment tools to track progress over time accurately.
- Assessed student progress and provided feedback to improve performance and establish academic success.
Return to Work Consultant
Health & Safety Solutions
09.2008 - 03.2011
- Evaluated client needs and expectations, establishing clear goals for each consulting engagement.
- Liaised with customers, management, and sales team to better understand customer needs and recommend appropriate solutions.
- Managed client relationships through regular check-ins and updates on project progress.
- Assisted clients in navigating complex industry challenges with strategic recommendations.
- Conducted thorough market research and analysis, providing valuable insights for client decisionmaking.
- Implemented and interpreted psychometric assessments to advise enhanced client options.
Child Protection Worker
Department of Human Services
02.2007 - 08.2008
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of child safety and welfare in high-risk environments.
- Developed and implemented individualized service plans to address specific family needs and ensure child well-being.
- Facilitated multidisciplinary team meetings to coordinate services and advocate for children's best interests.
- Maintained detailed documentation of all case activities, ensuring accuracy and compliance with agency policies and procedures.
- Increased positive outcomes for children by establishing strong working relationships with families, schools, and community resources.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on industry trends and best practices in child protection work.
- Managed caseloads efficiently, prioritizing cases based on urgency and risk level.
- Provided crisis intervention services to protect children from harm or abuse in emergency situations.
- Evaluated family needs and coordinated appropriate services to promote stability and wellbeing.
- Collaborated with schools, law enforcement and other community resources to gather information.
- Investigated home conditions to protect children from harmful environmental areas.
- Facilitated supportive services and counseling for family members to address special concerns.
- Coordinated closely with law enforcement officials when necessary to enhance investigations into allegations of abuse or neglect involving vulnerable minors.
Child Safety Officer
Department of Child Safety
10.2006 - 12.2006
- Conducted comprehensive risk assessments to identify potential hazards within child welfare environments.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to create effective intervention strategies for at-risk youth.
- Compiled accurate comprehensive information to relay to external organisations to enable access to support services.
Education
Postgraduate Diploma - Psychology
Queensland University of Technology
Brisbane Qld11-2005
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
James Cook University
Townsville, QLD11-2004
Skills
- Multicultural sensitivity
- Problem-solving
- Multitasking
- Critical thinking
- Effective communication
- Adaptability and flexibility
Timeline
Child Safety Officer
Qld Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety
06.2018 - Current
Head English Teacher
International and Infant School
09.2012 - 12.2014
Return to Work Consultant
Health & Safety Solutions
09.2008 - 03.2011
Child Protection Worker
Department of Human Services
02.2007 - 08.2008
Child Safety Officer
Department of Child Safety
10.2006 - 12.2006
Postgraduate Diploma - Psychology
Queensland University of Technology
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
James Cook University
Training
People Matters 2025
Understanding and Preventing Sexual Exploitation 2024
Kin Practice Capability Development 2023
Safe and Together 2022
Trauma Expression and Connection 2021
Mental Health Firstaider 2020