Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Kelly Berman

Kiama Downs,NSW

Summary

Professional with high integrity and solid background in working with children and young people in out of home care programs who have complex behaviors and needs. Expert in report writing, assessing needs, developing action plans, and providing support to achieve goals. Strong team collaborator, adaptable to changing environments, and focused on delivering impactful results. Extensive experience and skilled in, crisis intervention, and resource coordination, ensuring comprehensive care and support for youth.

Overview

30
30
years of professional experience

Work History

Youth/Family Contact Worker (casual)

Anglicare - St Saviour OOHC
05.2023 - Current
  • Company Overview: St Saviour OOHC (Supporting children who live in out of home care/foster care)
  • Transporting and supporting children to and from their family contact visits, which included supervising the family contact and completing a comprehensive report on the family members presentation and interactions
  • At times this also entails using de-escalation skills in supporting children who become triggered before or after their family visits, and at times has resulted in further reporting such as incident reports
  • Transport children to and from weekend respite care
  • Transport and support and/or accompany young people and children to stay with other family members for respite
  • This has entailed supporting and accompanying a young person to fly out of state, and driving young people interstate to stay with other family members for respite
  • Completing risk assessments of respite carers homes, and other associated reporting including interaction between carers and child/young person
  • Keeping program car log book up to date to include all entries, as well as maintain the car and report any concerns
  • Liaison with the Anglicare Case Manager, and on- call as need
  • St Saviours (Supporting children who live in out of home care/foster care)

Case Manager

Mission Australia - Triple Care Farm
05.2023 - 01.2025
  • Company Overview: Triple Care Farm - Alcohol and Other Drug Rehabilitation Residential Program
  • Organize & facilitate Intake Assessment Meeting with young people wanting to enter the program
  • Complete client screening and risk assessments
  • Complete intake of young people into the program, including person & bag searches, completing all relevant paperwork, & induction into the program
  • Complete Initial Case Plans with each individual young person, and coordinate their participation in the program as per case plan goals
  • Support young people with reporting requirements and attend appointments, e.g., Centrelink, Community Corrections.
  • Support and assist young people to access resources to meet their needs
  • Support the referral of young people to other services/ and or agencies as identifies and needed
  • Network, liaison, and work collaborative with other services and young people’s family members (where appropriate) to support the continuity of support for each young person
  • Liaison with other program team members in supporting the young person to reach their case plan goals
  • Completing individual program participants statistics through NADA DATA Base
  • Completing a range of other administrative duties, including, reports, referral letters, and case notes for each individual young person
  • Oversee safe, appropriate accommodation and placement after each young person completes the program
  • Coordination of internal each individual young person’s progress meetings/case plan meetings
  • Coordination of early integration of students within the Placement and Aftercare Program
  • Check in phone calls once a week with young people who had completed the detox program
  • Which included though not limited to, give verbal support, and advocate for them when needed, and support to refer to other services, re-refer to enter the TCF program
  • Triple Care Farm - Alcohol and Other Drug Rehabilitation Residential Program
  • Maintained accurate documentation on all cases, ensuring compliance with regulations and confidentiality requirements.
  • Achieved positive client outcomes by developing and implementing comprehensive case management plans.
  • Advocated for client rights when interacting with external agencies or institutions, ensuring fair treatment at all times.
  • Provided crisis intervention support for clients experiencing emergencies, using appropriate techniques to de-escalate situations safely.
  • Contributed to team discussions and case conferences actively, sharing insights and expertise with colleagues to optimize client support strategies.
  • Enhanced communication between clients and providers through consistent follow-ups and progress updates.
  • Educated clients on available programs, benefits, and services, empowering them to make informed decisions about their care needs.
  • Monitored ongoing cases closely, adjusting case management strategies as needed based on evolving circumstances or new information.
  • Conducted thorough assessments of clients'' situations, identifying issues, goals, and necessary interventions.
  • Coordinated services with other agencies, community-based organizations, and healthcare professionals to provide useful benefits to clients.
  • Developed and implemented comprehensive case management plans to address client needs and goals.
  • Improved client satisfaction by efficiently addressing concerns or grievances in a timely manner.
  • Assisted clients in navigating housing, legal services and public benefits to gain access to valuable resources.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to address client needs and formulate tailored support strategies.
  • Assisted clients in setting achievable goals while providing ongoing encouragement and support throughout the process of reaching those objectives.
  • Coordinated essential services for clients, resulting in improved overall well-being and self-sufficiency.
  • Monitored clients' progress and tracked client services to provide crisis interventions.
  • Fostered open lines of communication with clients'' families and support networks, involving them in the case management process as appropriate.
  • Participated in regular professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within the field of case management.
  • Partnered with physicians, social workers, activity therapists, nutritionists, and case managers to develop and implement individualized care plans and documented patient interactions and interventions in electronic charting systems.
  • Strengthened relationships with community organizations to increase access to supportive resources for clients in need.
  • Facilitated successful transitions between levels of care by developing detailed discharge plans and coordinating resources.
  • Promoted a safe environment for vulnerable populations by reporting suspected abuse or neglect.
  • Improved client outcomes by developing and implementing comprehensive case plans tailored to individual needs.
  • Implemented feedback system for clients to share their experiences, enhancing service quality through direct input.
  • Managed crisis situations with empathy and professionalism, ensuring client safety and continuity of care.
  • Negotiated with landlords and housing agencies to secure stable housing for clients, significantly reducing homelessness.
  • Collaborated with mental health professionals to address psychological needs of clients, supporting their holistic recovery.
  • Coordinated with healthcare providers to ensure clients had access to necessary medical services, enhancing their overall well-being.
  • Increased client satisfaction through diligent follow-up and personalized support.
  • Conducted thorough assessments to identify client needs, laying groundwork for effective case management.
  • Reduced client wait times for service access by optimizing internal referral processes.
  • Enhanced team collaboration by leading regular case review meetings, promoting unified approach to client care.
  • Developed partnerships with local agencies to provide broader range of services for clients, broadening their support network.
  • Referred clients to appropriate team members, community agencies and organizations to meet treatment needs.
  • Provided leadership, guidance and support to staff members.
  • Established and maintained relationships with key stakeholders.

Case Manager

Anglicare - St Saviour OOHC
10.2022 - 05.2023
  • Company Overview: St Saviour (Supporting children who live in out of home care/foster care)
  • Develop and implement comprehensive Case Plans for children and young people in collaboration with their parents, family, kin, carers, and care team that encompasses all domains of their care including permanency planning
  • Monitor the physical, emotional, cultural, psychological and ethical safety of children and young people within the PSP (OOHC)
  • This includes though not limited to, completing assessments such as risk assessments and individual care plans, scheduling and transporting children and young people to appointments such as psychiatrist, dental, eye tests, Occupational Therapist, organize and facilitate connecting YP/children with Aboriginal mentors/Elders and family members
  • Work closely with children/ young persons to act as an advocate and ensure their voice is captured in all case planning considerations
  • Work respectfully with parents, families, and kin to ensure their robust engagement in planning processes and achievement of placement goals for their children and young people
  • Keep accurate records, files and reporting requirements in a consistent and clear manner that meet all legislative requirements and regulations relating to PSP (OOHC)
  • This entails completing comprehensive factual case notes on all interactions with each individual child/young person, their carers, biological family members, and all other interactions relating to each child/young person
  • Support foster and kinship carers in their roles by providing minimum monthly support and supervision as well as ensuring their ongoing training and development needs
  • Including supporting and guiding cares with learning skills and strategies to support the child/young person presenting with problematic behaviours
  • Transporting and supporting children to and from their family contact visits, which included supervising the family contact and completing a comprehensive report on the family members presentation and interactions
  • At times this also entails using de-escalation skills in supporting children who become triggered before or after their family visits, and at times has resulted in further reporting such as incident reports, psychologist, and/or further reporting to Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ)
  • Work in collaboration with other services and service providers
  • Which includes working closely and building strong working relationships with case managers from various organizations including Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and Caresouth.
  • Prepare reports and affidavits for court
  • Achieved positive client outcomes by developing and implementing comprehensive case management plans.
  • Developed and implemented comprehensive case management plans to address client needs and goals.

Residential Coordinator

Mission Australia
10.2017 - 08.2022
  • Company Overview: Triple Care Farm (Alcohol and Other Drug Rehabilitation Residential Program for 16 – 24-year-old young people)
  • Leading, supporting and supervising a team of nine residential workers
  • Provide support, guidance and managing challenging behaviors of clients participating in the program, in the residential rehabilitation houses and detox unit
  • Includes applying appropriate boundaries and consequences where necessary, and assisting clients to develop key skills in interpersonal relationships
  • Work in close communication and liaison with key personnel of the program including Program Manager, Area Manager, Senior Psychologist, AOD Case Worker, Program Coordinator, Weekend Coordinators, and Team Leaders and nursing staff in detox unit
  • Conduct staff performance appraisals, development reviews and initiate any training for the ongoing professional development of staff
  • Oversee the inducting of new residential staff
  • Coordinate and order essential goods and services to the residential program including medications, food and general household items
  • Oversee and ensure the supply, safe storage and distribution of client’s medications and the maintenance of essential records of each client
  • Conduct monthly audits, including quarterly medication audits with the Senior Psychologist to monitor staff adherence to the Medication Administration policy
  • Participate and contribute to case planning-monitoring meetings with the Casework Coordinator, to ensure the progress of individual clients through the program and towards the achievement of their goals
  • Attend weekly clinical meetings to ensure the accurate prescribing of medications and completion/provision of supporting documentation & prescriptions
  • Complete a range of reports and records including, progress notes, incident reports, discharge summaries of participating clients
  • Organize and sign off on all residential staff members timesheets, ensuring that timesheet details are accurate and handed in on time
  • Coordinate bi-weekly menu plans for the residential program
  • Perform the role of residential worker during the temporary absence of a staff member.
  • Developed and implemented service programming and operational guidelines to meet residents' needs and preferences.
  • Managed maintenance of facilities' physical condition, inspecting grounds regularly to identify and coordinate needed repairs and upkeep.

Casework Coordinator (secondment Position)

Mission Australia
11.2021 - 05.2022
  • Company Overview: Triple Care Farm (Alcohol and Other Drug Rehabilitation Residential Program for 16 – 24-year-old young people)
  • Coordinate young person’s participation in the program
  • Ensure contact with support networks (including families, carers and other service providers)
  • Develop flexible tailored case plan, focusing on unique needs and goals of each young person that enters the program
  • Distribution of case plans
  • Provide links and identify accountability for student and resident’s participation in the program
  • Ensure young people have their needs meet
  • Creating and maintaining links with support networks
  • Oversee safe, appropriate accommodation and placement after young person completes the program
  • Instigate sharing of information, disseminating information as appropriate
  • Motivate young people in decision making and self-awareness
  • Meet all reporting requirements
  • Participate in assessment meetings and intake systems
  • Coordination of early integration of students within the Placement and Aftercare Program
  • Liaison with external service providers and coordination of community supports
  • Coordination of internal student progress meetings/case plan meetings
  • Triple Care Farm (Alcohol and Other Drug Rehabilitation Residential Program for 16 – 24-year-old young people)
  • Improved team productivity with regular communication and progress updates, fostering a collaborative work environment.
  • Enhanced operational workflows by maintaining well-organized documentation systems and updating records accurately as needed.
  • Prioritized and managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring all met their deadlines and objectives without compromising quality.
  • Increased client satisfaction by facilitating clear and consistent communication between project teams and stakeholders.

Education Trainer

Mission Australia
10.2017 - 06.2018
  • Company Overview: Triple Care Farm (Alcohol and Other Drug Rehabilitation Residential Program for 16 – 24-year-old young people)
  • Facilitating group classes, and assisting youth aged 16 to 24 in completing the Cert II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways
  • Assist students to develop skills in the areas of educational planning and career development
  • Assist students to gain skills that will support future employment and living skills
  • Advocating for and supporting students in enrolling in further education and career pathways
  • Of daily progress notes and incident reports
  • Attending and participating in case meetings
  • Triple Care Farm (Alcohol and Other Drug Rehabilitation Residential Program for 16 – 24-year-old young people)
  • Improved student performance by providing targeted feedback and individualized support based on unique learning needs.
  • Encouraged students to explore age-appropriate and career-related opportunities.

Specialist Youth Worker

Youth Off The Streets
07.2014 - 10.2017
  • Company Overview: New Pathways Residential Treatment Service (Program specifically for teenage boys with problematic sexualized Behaviour)
  • Assisting resident adolescent males to develop their capacity to take responsibility for their lives, by planning for and facilitating treatment options as necessary, including developing pro-social skills and strategies to change abusive values and attitudes, employment and further education options and life skills training in preparation for discharge, whilst offering care, mentoring, support and structure in line with the program guidelines
  • Facilitate/implement management, case, contact and health care plans
  • Direct day to day care and transportation of residents
  • Supervision and assist residents at school and residential premises
  • Supervise, facilitate and participate in recreational and out of school activities
  • Adhere to Therapeutic Crisis Intervention
  • Supervise and document family contact visits and phone communication
  • Adhere to all Underlying Therapeutic Frameworks (Good Way Model, Strength Based Practice and Trauma Sensitive Interventions)
  • Documentation of daily observations of residents’ mood/behaviour, reporting/recording incidents, completing behaviour monitoring logs
  • Administering and record keeping on provision of resident’s medication regiment
  • Advocate on behalf of the young people within the program
  • Rotating roster which include stand up night shifts
  • Night shift responsibilities include, keeping all bedrooms alarmed, half hourly bed checks, typing out next day’s schedule for YP’s, damage & maintenance reports, filing daily progress notes and sending copies to case workers, general administration and housekeeping
  • New Pathways Residential Treatment Service (Program specifically for teenage boys with problematic sexualized Behaviour)

Education Support Worker

Youth Off The Streets
07.2014 - 10.2017
  • Company Overview: New Pathways Residential Treatment Service
  • Facilitating group lessons and activities
  • Implementation and delivery of flexible learning needs, including sporting, artistic and educational requirements, personal development, career development, and practical living skills
  • Assist students to develop skills in the areas of educational planning and career development
  • Utilize community resources in addressing the needs of students
  • Provide input concerning students needs to assist in determining curricula development
  • Support and assist young people at New Pathways Residential Treatment Services to reconnect with school and/or other forms of education
  • Assist the young people to gain skills that will support future employment and living skills
  • Provide on-site support to students to deal with trauma/issues and keep focused on their educational/ long term goals
  • Provide a creative and positive environment to support young people’s ongoing engagement with education
  • Conduct literacy assessments and reports
  • Attend case conferences
  • Implementation and facilitation of MacqLit reading intervention program, designed for older low-progress readers who fall in the bottom 25% of a standardized reading test or curriculum-based measure
  • Entails delivering comprehensive sequence of lessons that includes all the key components necessary for effective reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension
  • New Pathways Residential Treatment Service

Bookkeeper/Pre-School Music Teacher

Mark Thornton Music Tuition
05.2003 - 12.2014
  • Organizing teachers’ schedules
  • Student bookings
  • General administration
  • Structuring and facilitating music classes for preschool age children
  • Teaching the basic concepts of music, percussion, keyboards, ukulele, rhythm and basic note reading
  • Classes focused on encouraging self- expression, building confidence and highlighting strengths
  • Maintained and processed invoices, deposits, and money logs.

Childcare Aide / Cleaner

Frogs Hollow Pre-School and Long Day Care Centre
06.2001 - 07.2003
  • Assisting children five years and under with their needs
  • The making of morning and afternoon tea and some lunches
  • General cleaning and housekeeping
  • Kept children between ages of 2 and 6 safe and secure with vigilant oversight.
  • Developed strong relationships with families, fostering open communication and mutual trust.
  • Ensured cleanliness and organization of the childcare facility, adhering to health and safety regulations.
  • Used patience, skill and various behavior modification techniques to maintain order and safety.

Childcare Aide

Pixieland Pre-School Kindergarten Pty. Ltd
08.1997 - 12.1999
  • Organizing and setting up inside and outside activities for the day
  • Responsible for opening and closing the center
  • Caring for and assisting children five years and under with their needs
  • The making of morning and afternoon tea and lunches
  • Kept children between ages of 2 and 6 safe and secure with vigilant oversight.

Manager, Children’s Entertainer

Fairytale Castle
09.1994 - 08.1995
  • Acting out a character role with storytelling
  • Developed and coordinated games and activities which involved engaging and supervising up to 30 children between the ages of two and ten years of age
  • Training of staff, staff rosters
  • Sales, merchandising and ordering stock
  • Organizing party bookings
  • Daily banking and bookkeeping responsibilities
  • Enhanced audience engagement by incorporating interactive elements and timely humor in performances.

Education

Diploma Youth Work -

TAFE NSW
Shellharbour, NSW
12.2014

Certificate IV Alcohol & Other Drugs -

TAFE NSW
Wollongong
12.2013

Certificate IV Mental Health -

TAFE NSW
Wollongong, NSW
07.2013

Skills

  • Case management
  • Documentation and reporting
  • Conflict resolution
  • Crisis intervention
  • Emotional awareness
  • Home visits and inspections
  • Staff management
  • Intervention plans
  • Performance tracking
  • Staff education and training
  • Progress evaluations
  • Resource identification
  • Program development
  • Family education
  • Court mandated reporter
  • Recruitment
  • Multitasking and organization
  • Clear communication
  • Risk assessment
  • Report writing

Timeline

Youth/Family Contact Worker (casual)

Anglicare - St Saviour OOHC
05.2023 - Current

Case Manager

Mission Australia - Triple Care Farm
05.2023 - 01.2025

Case Manager

Anglicare - St Saviour OOHC
10.2022 - 05.2023

Casework Coordinator (secondment Position)

Mission Australia
11.2021 - 05.2022

Residential Coordinator

Mission Australia
10.2017 - 08.2022

Education Trainer

Mission Australia
10.2017 - 06.2018

Specialist Youth Worker

Youth Off The Streets
07.2014 - 10.2017

Education Support Worker

Youth Off The Streets
07.2014 - 10.2017

Bookkeeper/Pre-School Music Teacher

Mark Thornton Music Tuition
05.2003 - 12.2014

Childcare Aide / Cleaner

Frogs Hollow Pre-School and Long Day Care Centre
06.2001 - 07.2003

Childcare Aide

Pixieland Pre-School Kindergarten Pty. Ltd
08.1997 - 12.1999

Manager, Children’s Entertainer

Fairytale Castle
09.1994 - 08.1995

Diploma Youth Work -

TAFE NSW

Certificate IV Alcohol & Other Drugs -

TAFE NSW

Certificate IV Mental Health -

TAFE NSW

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