Kathryn Taggart
Brunswick
Summary
Accomplished Community Mental Health Practitioner with a strong track record at Mind Australia, experienced in delivering recovery-oriented services for clients with psychosocial disabilities. Skilled in stakeholder communication, leadership, and mentoring, with a dedicated commitment to ethical standards and maintaining professional boundaries.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Community Mental Health Practitioner/Team Leader
Mind Australia
08.2024 - Current
- Temporarily assuming responsibilities in absence of permanent Team Leader.
- Led a dedicated team in providing high-quality, recovery-oriented mental health and psychosocial services to clients, families, and carers in line with Mind’s Model of Recovery Oriented Practice.
- Oversaw day-to-day operations, including staff management and service delivery to meet NDIS and organisational requirements.
- Provided supervision and mentoring to team members, ensuring best practice and professional development through reflective practice.
- Co-ordinated responses to risk assessments in collaboration with team members and local area mental health clinicians, to ensure timely and effective intervention and follow-up.
Mental Health Support Worker
Mind Australia
03.2023 - Current
- Provided personalised, recovery-oriented support to individuals with psychosocial disabilities, in line with Mind’s Model of Recovery Oriented Practice and NDIS goals.
- Assisted clients in achieving their recovery goals through one-to-one support and group work, focused on enhancing personal growth and daily living skills.
- Facilitated the development of recovery plans by identifying client strengths and supporting their capacity-building activities.
- Worked closely with local area mental health team to support recovery practices and in response to risk.
- Working from a trauma-informed perspective, responded to clients in crisis by conducting risk assessments and implementing safety plan strategies.
Mental Health Recovery Partner
Southern Cross Care - Community Options
04.2021 - 02.2023
- Provided psycho-social support for clients, aged between 18-64 years who had previously required long term hospital admissions for persistent and complex mental health conditions.
- Collaborated with clients to develop recovery plans which were focused on an holistic approach to well-being, with the ultimate goal of transitioning to independent living.
- Worked with client to develop strategies to achieve goals.
- Built up rapport and trust to understand clients needs.
- Collaborated with stakeholders including clinicians, community services and NDIS providers in provision of care for clients.
- Liaised with clients' families and guardians to ensure consistency in approach to care.
- Administered daily and PRN medication to clients.
- Worked as approved supervisor of private psychiatric hostel.
Mental Health Support Worker
Suitsme
06.2021 - 02.2023
- Provided psychosocial support to clients with long term mental illness in navigating independent living.
- Linked clients and family members with appropriate community support organisations including advocacy services.
- Documented client progress in an objective manner, raising concerns with key stakeholders when necessary.
- Provided clients with recommendations and access to community resources.
- Awarded Mental Health Support Award 2022.
Education
Certificate 4 - Community Services
South Metropolitan TAFE
Perth WA06.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Murdoch University
Perth2014
Bachelor of Education (Hons) - History
Queen's University
Belfast, Northern Ireland07.1991
Skills
- Skilled in building trust and rapport with people from diverse backgrounds, including clients from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
- Demonstrated ability to develop creative solutions to complex issues
- Proven ability to foster strong partnerships between clients, their families, and key stakeholders to ensure holistic, recovery-oriented support
- Experienced in advocating for clients to empower them to access necessary supports and achieve recovery goals
- Proficient in conducting risk assessments, identifying warning signs, and implementing safety plan strategies
- Experienced in collaboratively developing personalised recovery goals with clients experiencing psychosocial disabilities, using a strengths-based approach
Certification
- Advanced Foundation Training - BPD Spectrum
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
- Mental Health First Aid Training
- Approved Supervisor private psychiatric hostels
- Senior First Aid & CPR
- NDIS Worker’s Screen
- NDIS New Worker Orientation Certificate
- NDIS Code of Conduct Certificate
- Fully COVID vaccinated - 3 doses
- Working with Children Check
- C Class Driver's Licence
Community and Volunteer Roles
2018-2020
On My Feet Fremantle
- Volunteered with weekly walking group for participants dealing with, or at risk of homelessness.
- Encouraged participants to use exercise as a tool for good physical and mental health.
- Built a sense of community and a safe space for participants
2016
Sail - Sudanese Australian Integrated Learning
- Tutored Sudanese refugee children through the Sail program.
References
Mr Thomas Schmocker
Team Leader - Brunswick Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation, Mind Australia
thomas.schmocker@mindaustralia.org.au 0438 211 703
Ms Olivia Martin
Service Manager - Mind Australia
olivia.martin@mindaustralia.org.au
Timeline
Community Mental Health Practitioner/Team Leader
Mind Australia
08.2024 - Current
Mental Health Support Worker
Mind Australia
03.2023 - Current
Mental Health Support Worker
Suitsme
06.2021 - 02.2023
Mental Health Recovery Partner
Southern Cross Care - Community Options
04.2021 - 02.2023
Certificate 4 - Community Services
South Metropolitan TAFE
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Murdoch University
Bachelor of Education (Hons) - History
Queen's University
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