Kristen Sonn
Clyde,VIC
Summary
I am an experienced wellbeing professional with nine years experience working closely with young people at risk. I am seeking full time employment in a role that allows individualised support for young people and families to promote reunification and strengthen family and community networks. I am seeking a role that is targeted to working from a preventative and early intervention position. It is important to me to work from a supportive rather than punitive approach which focuses on the best interests of the child while continuing my path of professional development.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Youth Worker
Barton Primary School
06.2022 - Current
- Work closely with the Student Wellbeing Coordinator (SWC), Year Level Coordinator and external agencies to implement in-class wellbeing services that support student success, engagement, wellbeing, and safety
- Develop and implement targeted therapeutic interventions and provide in-class and 1-1 short/medium-term support to identified students or groups to help them develop effective strategies that build emotional literacy, social skills, and positive coping mechanisms
- Case manage complex student cases who are both linked and not linked with external stakeholders
- Make referrals to external services where appropriate
- Building rapport with a range of diverse student and engaging positively with them and their families
- Attend Care Team and Student Support Group Meetings
- Chair Care Team and Student Support Group Meetings
- Assist with tier 1 in broader in-class interventions such as responding to conflict, reteach interventions, information sessions on body safety, conflict resolution and problem-solving
- Work collaboratively with the SWC, Year level coordinator, teachers, students, and families to ensure available support
- Keep relevant, professional, and up-to-date case notes on identified students to monitor progress and develop SMART goals and strategies to assist the student in reaching them
- Create and Facilitate programs for students based on their needs
- Create information sessions for parents and community members on topics of interest and concern
- Assist with collecting data on attendance and offering wellbeing support and strategies
- Provide individual counselling
- Attend and run Care Team Meetings, Student Support Group meetings, and Team Around the Learner meetings
- Liaise with DFFH and make relevant reports as a mandatory reporter
- IRIS- incident reporting to the Department of Education
- Crisis support- reintegrating students into school following crisis, grief and loss
- Foster cultural awareness among staff and students.
Inclusion Support Worker
Keysborough Secondary College
01.2020 - 06.2022
- Work closely with the Student Wellbeing Coordinator (SWC), Year Level Coordinator and external agencies to implement in-class wellbeing services that support student success, engagement, wellbeing and safety
- Develop and implement targeted therapeutic interventions and provide in-class and 1-1 short/medium-term support to identified students or groups to help them develop effective strategies that build self-esteem and resilience
- Case manage allocated students linked in with external professionals and make external referrals where appropriate
- Establish excellent relationships with students, modelling effective and appropriate communication skills and consistently responding to everyone’s needs
- Assist in broader in-class interventions such as responding to conflict, restorative circles, and mediation to promote positive conflict resolution and problem-solving skills
- Work collaboratively with the SWC, year-level coordinator and Primary schools to ensure smooth year-level transition and beyond
- Keep relevant, professional, and up-to-date case notes on identified students to monitor progress and develop robust support plans
- Create and Facilitate programs for students based on their needs
- Adapt supports to suit individual needs.
Residential Care Worker
Berry Street Victoria
07.2015 - 02.2020
- 24/7 Out of Home Care Support for young people aged 12-17
- Administration- keeping records, daily movements, and essential information documents about major events/changes for the young person
- General house duties
- Attending appointments with and for young people (including doctors, court, police stations, Care Team Meetings, and student support groups)
- Working with the Department of Health and Human Services, Child Protection Services, The Department of Justice, and other Community Services Organizations
- Supporting young people to build life skills and promoting self-esteem
- Modelling positive behaviour and providing good active listening and communication skills.
- Providing court summary notes and supporting documents
Intensive Residential Case Worker
Centre for Multicultural Youth
08.2019 - 12.2019
- Provide intensive case-management support, including assessment, information, counselling, assertive outreach, appointments, independent living skills and referral to newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers
- Participate in case meetings and group supervision
- Provide expert advice to support young people’s participation in house activities, education, work, counselling, or other interests
- Provide appropriate levels of advocacy concerning education, health and other services, potential employers, and the general community
- Understand and identify indicators of trauma
- Manage clients, including case planning and case review
- Maintain appropriate case notes and records for documentation and, where applicable, document case studies
- Participate in supervision, professional development, and reflective practice to develop and enhance best practices
- Facilitate programs when required; In coordination with the Team Leader, manage the functioning and maintenance of the properties
- Develop, plan, and implement ongoing risk management assessments for Young People and Staff, including acting upon risks when necessary
- Provide reports to CMY and relevant external funding bodies on incidents, including providing other documentation as required
- Provide support to young people to develop skills and independence.
Youth Worker for ‘Le Mana’ Empower Pacifika Project (placement)
Centre for Multicultural Youth
05.2019 - 11.2019
- Facilitate in-school programs
- Support young Pasifika young people to learn about their culture
- Assist in Youth-Led cultural events
- Collect and collate data
- Create spreadsheets and contact lists.
Education
Graduate Certificate - Child And Adolescent Mental Health
Victoria University
Melbourne, VIC08.2024
Bachelor of Youth Work and Youth Studies -
RMIT University
12.2019
Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Interventions -
Berry Street Victoria
02.2017
Advanced Diploma of Justice -
Chisholm Institute
11.2014
Skills
- Implementing Client Care Plans
- Time Management
- Problem-solving abilities
- High level of professionalism
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Active team member
- Strong work ethic
- Positive attitude
- Adaptable
- Self-motivated
- Mentoring abilities
- Youth supervision
- Positive Reinforcement
- Social skill development
- Emotional Support
- Conflict de-escalation
- Program Planning
- Safety Monitoring
- Crisis Response
- Advocacy
- Cultural Competency
- Active Listening
- Relationship Building
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Problem-Solving
- Goal Setting
- Youth Advocacy
- Cultural Sensitivity
- De Escalation Tactics
- Mental Health Crisis Response
- Maintaining Client Records
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Microsoft Office
- Multitasking Abilities
- Reliability
Certification
- Victorian Full Driver's license
- Working with Children’s Check
References
- Sean Newton, Wellbeing Coordinator- Barton PS, +61 477 044 411
- Michael Enderby, Wellbeing Coordinator- Keysborough SC, +61 458 020 677
- Faye Stickland, Unit Supervisor- Berry Street, +61 403 096 320
- Paora Te Paki, Supervisor- Le Mana CMY, +61 400 937 404
- John Tuhi, Character reference, +61 433 406 057
Training
- Cultural awareness training - VACCA
- Alcohol and other drugs training - YSAS
- "With Care" therapeutic care training - Salvation Army
- First Aid (HLTAID003) and CPR training
- Therapeutic Crisis Intervention - Berry Street (Cornell University program)
Timeline
Youth Worker
Barton Primary School
06.2022 - Current
Inclusion Support Worker
Keysborough Secondary College
01.2020 - 06.2022
Intensive Residential Case Worker
Centre for Multicultural Youth
08.2019 - 12.2019
Youth Worker for ‘Le Mana’ Empower Pacifika Project (placement)
Centre for Multicultural Youth
05.2019 - 11.2019
Residential Care Worker
Berry Street Victoria
07.2015 - 02.2020
Graduate Certificate - Child And Adolescent Mental Health
Victoria University
Bachelor of Youth Work and Youth Studies -
RMIT University
Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Interventions -
Berry Street Victoria
Advanced Diploma of Justice -
Chisholm Institute
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