Karen Ward
Summary
With more than 30 years' experience in State and Federal Government in the Disability Sector, in a variety of positions, I have a passion for working with members of the community who are living with a disability or are otherwise vulnerable. I take great pride in my understanding of detailed legislation, procedures and protocols and use that knowledge to guide myself and others to make high quality decision making to assist participants and link them to external stakeholders for extra support. I have high-level communication skills, including the ability lead a team, write and present training packages, as well as the personal skills required to understand and respond to the needs of participants with empathy and professionalism so they gain access to the support they need to improve their life circumstances.
I am a conscientious professional with extensive experience advocating for social and economic well-being of individuals and families. I am skilled at working in and leading multidisciplinary teams, providing guidance, support and assistance. I have strong verbal and written communication skills and am committed to providing appropriate supports to people with a disability and their families.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Planner
National Disability Insurance Agency
02.2017 - Current
- Interpreting and applying legislation, policy, agreements and guidelines to make best practice participant outcomes.
- Effectively gather information from participants and planning partners over the phone or in person, to enable high-quality planning and evidence-based decision-making.
- Successfully determine funded supports to be included in participant plans to complement informal and formal supports.
- Referral of participants to appropriate mainstream and community agencies and organizations to meet individual support needs.
- Providing expert advice and working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders while communicating with and providing advice on a range of service delivery matters to resolve enquiries.
- Efficiently conducted research and analysis data, evidence based risk assessments.
- Developing and implementing training programs for staff.
- Participating in community events to promote services and engage with public.
- Establishing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders.
- Coaching, mentoring, motivating and developing staff.
- Providing leadership, guidance and support to team members.
Case Manager
Ageing Disability And Home Care
12.2008 - 02.2017
- Developed and implemented comprehensive case management plans to address participant needs and goals.
- Coordinated services with other agencies, community-based organisations, and healthcare professionals to provide useful benefits to participants.
- Assisted participants in navigating housing, legal services, mainstream and community benefits to gain access to valuable resources.
- Monitored participants progress and tracked their services to provide crisis interventions.
- Worked in a multidisciplinary team, including social workers, occupational therapists, speech therapists, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and psychologists to develop and implement individualised care plans and documented participant interactions and interventions as per holistic approach.
- Collaborated with an interdisciplinary team to determine timely delivery of services.
- Developed and implemented risk assessments plans for participants at risk of harm to provide protection.
- Provided evidence-based therapeutic interventions and crisis management to participants to lessen negative on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
- Evaluated support plans against individualised goals and requirements.
- Referred participants to appropriate team members, community agencies and organisations to meet treatment needs.
- Provided leadership, guidance and support to staff members.
- Assessed community needs and identified resources for social and community service programs.
- Established and maintained relationships with key stakeholders.
- Utilised grant writing skills to secure additional program funding for participants.
- Utilised court report writing skills for Justice participants.
Community Disability Worker
Ageing Disability And Home Care
06.1995 - 12.2008
- Delivered daily direct support to participants with intellectual disabilities
- Designed, developed, planned and implemented, individual and group based leisure activities to promote greater community independence, skills and social interaction, that are goal focussed.
- Analysed assigned day support service programming and implemented changes to maximise program success.
- Conducted in-home visits to provide supportive services.
- Collaborated with allied health practitioners to drive continuity of care.
- Managed caseload to satisfy multiple participants with diverse needs.
- Facilitated family meetings to discuss participant care plans.
- Developed partnerships with community organisations to expand services and referrals.
- Participated in multidisciplinary care conferences to discuss participant care plans and referrals.
- Preserved and prepared participant reports.
- Advocating for participants and families, giving necessary support in areas such as integration, right of access and dignity of risk.
- Participation in team meetings and participant Individual Plan meetings.
- Developing risk profiles for participants and implementation of positive behaviour management plans.
- Report writing, regular upkeep of participant files, daily progress notes, monthly and quarterly reviews, incident reports and individual plans.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Welfare
University of Western, Sydney
Milperra12.1988
Skills
- Written and Verbal Communication
- Client Needs Assessments
- Risk Assessments
- Individual Support Plans
- Disability Services
- Case Management
- Team Leadership
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Time Management
- Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration
- Organisational Abilities
Certification
- Working With Children Check
Timeline
Senior Planner
National Disability Insurance Agency
02.2017 - Current
Case Manager
Ageing Disability And Home Care
12.2008 - 02.2017
Community Disability Worker
Ageing Disability And Home Care
06.1995 - 12.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Welfare
University of Western, Sydney
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