Kayla Flink
Mornington,Australia
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Advanced Child Protection Practitioner (Currently Acting Senior)
DFFH
Frankston, Victoria
02.2025 - Current
- Conduct daily risk and safety assessments for children and young people
- Investigate protective concerns and respond promptly to crisis situations
- Develop and implement safety, stability, cultural, and therapeutic treatment plans
- Prepare case notes, risk assessments, and comprehensive reports in line with legislation
- Manage complex caseloads requiring high-level problem solving and prioritisation
- Present evidence and recommendations before the Children’s Court of Victoria
- Undertake home visits to engage with children, young people, and families
- Build and maintain strong, respectful relationships with families to support engagement
- Collaborate with schools, health professionals, community agencies, and law enforcement
- Coordinate wraparound support for families with multiple service providers
- Provide direct case management for children in family and out-of-home care settings
- Monitor and review case plans to ensure ongoing safety and wellbeing outcomes
- Mentor and support Child Protection Practitioners through case consultation and reflective practice
- Assist with onboarding and training of new staff, including policy and practice guidance
- Support colleagues through debriefing, consultation, and peer supervision
- Work alongside Team Managers to review cases and strengthen service delivery outcomes
- Promote culturally safe and trauma-informed practice across all casework
- Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying gaps and recommending solutions
- Participate in team meetings, professional supervision, and workforce development activities
- Maintain compliance with legislation, policies, and best practice standards in all casework
Family Services Practitioner
Anglicare Victoria
Frankston, Victoria
03.2022 - 02.2025
- Provide case management and respond to client needs, including crises.
- Use therapeutic techniques to engage children, young people, and families reluctant to access support.
- Conduct comprehensive family assessments to identify health, wellbeing, and safety needs.
- Assess family capacity and constraints for making necessary changes.
- Build respectful and honest working relationships with children, young people, and families.
- Discuss protective concerns and consequences openly with clients.
- Develop case plans and projects for individual clients or family groups.
- Strengthen family connections and promote positive interactions and child wellbeing.
- Provide case management across all ages, including clients with complex needs.
- Promote positive parenting skills individually and through group work.
- Collaborate with Child Protection, professionals, and families’ social networks for coordinated services.
- Contribute to a cohesive multidisciplinary team through supervision, meetings, and training.
- Maintain accurate case records and data (NCFAS, MARAM, safety plans, case notes).
- Participate in relevant professional development activities.
- Undertake other duties within capability as directed.
- Train new staff on role responsibilities, documentation, client privacy, and worker safety.
- Manage victim survivor cases across all age groups, including complex needs.
- Develop documents to improve performance and support record-keeping.
- Demonstrate culturally appropriate interpersonal skills, including active listening and empathy.
- Host work events, provide mentorship, and conduct one-on-one feedback sessions.
- Use Client Management Systems (IRIS/CRM) for reporting and case tracking.
- Support training of new educators in the SafeCare model.
Senior Men’s Therapeutic Practitioner (Secondment)
Anglicare Victoria
Frankston, Victoria
02.2024 - 06.2024
- Conduct individual sessions with men using family violence to address behaviours.
- Develop personalised case plans tailored to each participant’s needs.
- Assess clients’ risk levels and family violence-related behaviours.
- Monitor participant progress and adjust interventions accordingly.
- Teach skills in healthy relationships, communication, and emotional regulation.
- Promote accountability and responsibility for abusive or harmful behaviour.
- Provide education on legal responsibilities and consequences of family violence.
- Support participants in accessing mental health, substance use, or other support services.
- Conduct intake assessments and risk screenings for new clients.
- Maintain detailed records of sessions, assessments, and progress.
- Facilitate problem-solving strategies to manage triggers and conflict.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including social workers and child protection.
- Liaise with courts, police, or other agencies as required for compliance and safety.
- Apply culturally safe practices tailored to individual client backgrounds.
- Respond to crises or incidents involving participants in a timely manner.
- Evaluate program effectiveness through individual client outcomes and feedback.
- Attend supervision, team meetings, and professional development sessions.
- Provide mentoring and guidance to new staff working with clients.
- Advocate for clients while prioritising the safety of family members.
- Build strong, trusting relationships to encourage engagement and behaviour change.
NDIS Support Worker (OoHC)
DASH/ Berry st Client
06.2022 - 06.2024
- Assist clients with daily living tasks, including personal care and hygiene.
- Support clients with meal planning, preparation, and nutrition.
- Help clients with light domestic duties, such as cleaning and laundry.
- Facilitate community access, recreational activities, and social participation.
- Provide one-on-one support tailored to clients’ individual needs and abilities.
- Implement individualised care plans and NDIS support strategies.
- Monitor and document client progress, behaviours, and wellbeing.
- Maintain strict confidentiality and security of client information.
- Communicate with families, carers, and third-party providers for care coordination.
- Advocate for clients’ rights and needs in line with NDIS and OOHC requirements.
- Observe, identify, and respond to changes in client behaviour or wellbeing.
- Support clients with skill development, including daily living, social, and life skills.
- Use positive behaviour support strategies to manage challenging behaviours.
- Remain calm and respond effectively during emergency or crisis situations.
- Build respectful, trusting, and culturally safe relationships with clients.
- Participate in team meetings, supervision, and professional development.
- Assist clients with appointments, transportation, and community engagement.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure holistic client support.
- Educate clients on self-care, independence, and social participation.
- Implement policies, procedures, and safety protocols to ensure compliance and client safety.
Orange Door Practitioner
VACCA - The Orange Door
Frankston, Victoria
11.2021 - 03.2022
- Lead and support culturally safe and responsive practice with Aboriginal families.
- Undertake assessments of Aboriginal people and families referred through The Orange Door.
- Support, inform, and assist Aboriginal families throughout their involvement.
- Provide consultation, education, and outreach to ensure culturally responsive practice.
- Build cultural safety within The Orange Door environment.
- Support choice and self-determination of Aboriginal people.
- Liaise with services and organisations within The Orange Door network.
- Provide specialist or secondary consultation to partner organisations.
- Work with local Aboriginal governance groups to connect communities and services.
- Maintain accurate records in line with VACCA, legislative, and privacy requirements.
- Champion VACCA’s values internally and externally through leadership.
- Demonstrate awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal societies, cultures, and key community issues.
- Apply knowledge of Family Support Services and intervention models.
- Understand and implement intake processes, MARAM, safety plans, and risk assessments.
- Apply understanding and experience in family violence and wellbeing.
- Collaborate with government and non-government agencies for client outcomes.
- Advocate for children, young people, and families to advance organisational objectives.
- Prepare accurate documents and reports, including case notes, assessments, referrals, and case plans.
- Participate in policy and program review and development.
- Demonstrate culturally appropriate interpersonal skills and use of client management systems (IRIS/CRM).
Senior Residential Youth Worker/ Shift Manager
Allambi Care
Melbourne (Various Locations), Victoria
06.2020 - 11.2021
- Support clients in developing and implementing personal goal plans.
- Assist clients in meeting individual needs.
- Coordinate and participate in planned activities, including sports, arts, and camps.
- Consult with management when planning activities and programs.
- Maintain accurate records, including day notes, incident reports, and planner entries.
- Coordinate programs in education, self-development, accommodation, and welfare.
- Communicate safety concerns for clients and colleagues to management promptly.
- Manage conflicts using therapeutic, non-punitive strategies.
- Liaise with government departments, health professionals, parents, and other organisations.
- Provide feedback to management on client development and progress.
- Attend and contribute to team meetings, case plans, and intervention programs.
- Ensure procedures and policies are followed effectively.
- Demonstrate interpersonal, negotiation, advocacy, and communication skills.
- Use computer programs (Microsoft Word, Outlook) for report writing.
- Compile client histories, including social, educational, criminal, and drug information.
- Support staff with incident reporting and daily operational tasks.
- Train new staff in client care, administration, and reporting processes.
- Delegate shift tasks and conduct staff debriefs to support self-care.
- Assist clients with forms, such as tax, Medicare, Centrelink, and rental applications.
- Plan and oversee client activities, including meal preparation, food budgeting, transport, and appointments.
Education
Bachelor - Community health
University of SA
06.2026
Certificate IV - Mental health
Job Skill Co
05.2024
Diploma Leadership & Management -
SWINBURNE
01-2024
GOTTMAN METHOD THERAPY - Level 1 & Level 2
08.2023
SAFECARE EDUCATOR - Evidence Based Model
Early Childhood Educator
06.2023
Diploma - Child, Youth and Family Intervention
Australis College
01.2021
Certificate IV - Human Resources
Open Colleges
12.2018
Certification
- Victorian Drivers Licence
- WWC (Employee)
- NDIS Screening Check
- First Aid Foundation and CPR (2022)
- 1-2-3 Magic & Emotion Coaching Practitioner Program
- Hey Warrior (Trauma Informed Care Training)
- Calm Suicide Intervention Skills
- Safe & Together Program
- SafeCare Educator
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1 & Level 2
- MARAM Comprehensive
- MARAM PUV Comprehensive
- MARAM Collaborative
- Mental Health First Aid
- Trauma Informed Leadership (Blue Knot Foundation)
- Understanding Personality Disorders
References
References available upon request
Timeline
Advanced Child Protection Practitioner (Currently Acting Senior)
DFFH
02.2025 - Current
Senior Men’s Therapeutic Practitioner (Secondment)
Anglicare Victoria
02.2024 - 06.2024
NDIS Support Worker (OoHC)
DASH/ Berry st Client
06.2022 - 06.2024
Family Services Practitioner
Anglicare Victoria
03.2022 - 02.2025
Orange Door Practitioner
VACCA - The Orange Door
11.2021 - 03.2022
Senior Residential Youth Worker/ Shift Manager
Allambi Care
06.2020 - 11.2021
Bachelor - Community health
University of SA
Certificate IV - Mental health
Job Skill Co
Diploma Leadership & Management -
SWINBURNE
GOTTMAN METHOD THERAPY - Level 1 & Level 2
SAFECARE EDUCATOR - Evidence Based Model
Early Childhood Educator
Diploma - Child, Youth and Family Intervention
Australis College
Certificate IV - Human Resources
Open Colleges