Lauren Christakos
Summary
Dynamic and empathetic professional with 5 years experience in Social Work, demonstrating a strong commitment in walking alongside individuals during their most vulnerable times, and empowering and promoting self determination and social justice through a multidimensional approach. Excelled in crisis intervention, motivational interviewing and case management, with the ability to advocate for clients and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. My approach combines critical thinking with empathetic engagement, driving positive changes in complex social work environments.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Child Protection Caseworker
Department of Communities and Justice
07.2021 - Current
- Provided crisis intervention to children and families, addressing immediate safety concerns and connecting them with appropriate resources.
- Utilized trauma-informed care practices to promote healing among children who experienced abuse or neglect.
- Improved child safety by conducting thorough assessments and investigations of reported cases.
- Conducted home visits regularly, assessing living conditions and monitoring progress towards case plan goals.
- Consistently delivering compassionate and responsive service to families in crisis.
- Demonstrated cultural competence by effectively engaging clients from diverse backgrounds, fostering trust, rapport, and open communication.
- Established strong working relationships with community partners to enhance service delivery for children and families in need.
- Maintained accurate case documentation, ensuring compliance with state regulations and agency policies.
- Facilitated successful reunification of children with their families by implementing effective interventions and services.
- Facilitated family meetings to ensure communication and collaboration between family members.
Mentor
Disability Services Australia
10.2018 - 07.2021
- Supporting people with intellectual disabilities and offending behaviours, who also struggle with mental illness, and alcohol and/or drug dependence, successfully transition from the criminal justice system back into society.
- Provide everyday support to clients within a Support Independent Living (SIL) environment, and community housing.
- Collaborated with community organizations to establish resources for reintegrating clients, improving their access to essential services.
- Assessed client needs and connected them with appropriate support systems, resulting in more successful reintegration outcomes.
- Administered medications according to prescribed protocols, ensuring proper dosage and adherence to schedules.
- Conducted regular safety checks within the residential facility, identifying potential hazards and addressing them promptly.
- Facilitated group activities that promoted social interaction, skill-building, and emotional wellness for residents.
- Participated in regular team meetings to discuss resident progress updates as well as brainstorm solutions for any challenges encountered during service delivery.
- Managed challenging behaviours effectively through de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention strategies.
- Implemented behaviour support plans consistently to support each clients individualised emotional and behavioural needs.
Student Social Worker
NSW Health HNE Local Health District
07.2020 - 10.2020
- Conducting psychosocial assessments with patients who are in patients of the hospital.
- Allocated the responsibility of providing social work services to specific ward.
- Facilitated patient self-determination by providing education about available resources and empowering them to make informed decisions.
- Interviewed patients and their families to assess situations, limitations and issues and implement services to address needs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure appropriate care coordination and resource allocation for patients.
- Supported patients and their families with empathy and compassion during difficult times.
- Assisted patients and their families with navigating and accessing community services such as housing, financial aid, alcohol and other drug support and healthcare providers.
- Updated patient documentation for accurate, compliant and current records.
- Advocated for patients to assure that their rights and and wishes were respected and that their dignity was upheld.
Student Social Worker
Headspace National Youth Mental Health
02.2019 - 05.2019
- Providing early intervention support to young people aged between 12-25 years old, with a focus on mental health.
- Completed psychosocial intake assessments with young people experiencing poor mental health and completed referrals to appropriate service engagement providers.
- Conducted crisis interventions and de-escalation techniques to ensure patient safety during high-risk situations.
- Delivered compassionate care to diverse populations including adolescents, young adults, LGBTIQA+ individuals and people from ATSI and CALD backgrounds who are experiencing a range of mental health issues.
- Facilitated group therapy activities for young people to address various topics such as stress management and emotional regulation.
Education
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
University of New England
Armidale, NSW12-2020
Skills
- Client advocacy
- Motivational interviewing
- Case management
- Case documentation
- Psychosocial, Risk and Safety assessment
- Crisis intervention
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
- Referrals and networking
- Compassionate and Empathetic
- Safety planning
- Trauma-informed and Strength Focused
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Legal and Court report writing
Timeline
Child Protection Caseworker
Department of Communities and Justice
07.2021 - Current
Student Social Worker
NSW Health HNE Local Health District
07.2020 - 10.2020
Student Social Worker
Headspace National Youth Mental Health
02.2019 - 05.2019
Mentor
Disability Services Australia
10.2018 - 07.2021
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
University of New England
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