Lauren Johansson
Youth Engagement Worker
Rosebud
Summary
Empathetic Youth Worker passionate about providing meaningful support and services to clients. Excellent communicator bringing 21 years of comprehensive experience developing and implementing core programs to meet needs for self-development, sexuality education and drug and alcohol abuse. Creative and understanding professional commended for modeling and teaching life skills and promoting diversity & inclusion.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Lead Worker - Impakt Freeza
Mornington Peninsula Shire
04.2023 - Current
- Managed and led activities promoting growth in mental, emotional, and educational areas.
- Provided key emotional support to special needs youth.
- Recruit youth committee + retain engagement.
- Coordinate opportunities for capacity building, music industry experience and mentoring for committee members.
- Encouraged youth clients to develop own activities and leadership skills through group discussions.
- Completed necessary reports and documentation to maintain thorough, accurate case records.
- Managed administrative logistics of events planning, event booking, and event promotions.
- Delivered prompt payment for event vendors, venues, staff and transportation providers.
- Nurtured and built relationships with vendors, venues and industry contacts to obtain best pricing and services for events.
- Supervised individuals in small group atmosphere to cultivate safety, independence, and structure.
- Supervised youth in engaging environment to promote security and safety for all ages.
Youth Program Facilitator
Bloom Connections
01.2020 - Current
- Developed and delivered educational rites of passage workshops to support youth in understanding and navigating real-world experiences.
- Partnered with businesses, schools and nonprofits to expand youth program outreach and impact.
- Organised special events and activities to boost youth engagement and improve lives of at-risk children.
- Procured new supplies and equipment in line with budget goals.
- Observed staff and volunteers to verify compliance with educational, safety and interpersonal guidelines.
- Created and managed budgets, efficiently allocating resources for social and community service projects.
- Collaborated with community members to develop and implement service initiatives.
- Established and maintained relationships with key stakeholders.
- Advocated for social and community service programs to increase awareness and funding.
- Facilitated youth development and leadership programs for young people from diverse backgrounds.
Youth worker
Mornington Peninsula Shire Youth Services
02.2008 - Current
- Provided key emotional support to special needs youth.
- Managed and led activities promoting growth in mental, emotional, and educational areas.
- Key engagement worker for the role out of LSAE Engagement tool in partnership with SFYS (Mornington Park PS, Rosebud Secondary, Rye Primary School, Moorooduc Primary School)
- Facilitating group programs such as young mum & bubs program, art & mural projects, Drumbeat Program, Anger management and body image programs, Sexual Health programs, Teacher training & PD’s, Youth leadership camps, Bright sparks transition program for primary aged students
- This included recruiting young people, liaising with schools and education staff, facilitating sessions, working with young people with complex behaviours, engaging young people in activities, purchasing program supplies, creating risk management plans and consent forms
- Program development – designing relevant programs, creating program plans and evaluation processes
- Attending team meetings, supervision and PD days and contributing to team planning
- Case Management supporting young people 1:1 with school re engagement, working through challenging situations and referring and linking them into relevant services
- Community Outreach – Doing street outreach across the Mornington Peninsula to engage with young people and link them into services
- Schoolies – Supporting the shire’s schoolies event working with schoolies partners, supporting school leavers at event, dealing with crisis situations and medical issues that arose
- Supporting the school holiday program attending activities, engaging with young people, ensuring risk management and procedures were followed.
Wellbeing Worker
Rosebud Primary School
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Case management of young people disengaging from school
- Case management of young people with behavioural issues
- Developing programs and facilitating
- Group processes using expressive therapies techniques
- Supporting parents
- Supporting staff
- Liaising with staff as required to improve outcomes for students
- Referral to appropriate services
- Liaise with various internal and external programs, workers and agencies.
Youth Engagement Facilitator - Tools for the Trade
The Salvation Army
04.2022 - 04.2023
- Facilitated dialogue between participants, family and program workers to provide best possible program and individualized program.
- Brought in projects on-time and under-budget by effectively handling routine and complex issues.
- Provided leadership for program workers and attendees, guiding day-to-day activities and facilitating TFTT environment.
- Used diverse teaching materials and motivational approaches to reduce learning gaps and instruct students.
- Collected data on program efficacy through data analysis and implemented solutions for improvement.
- Advocated for program participants in the Tools for the Trade program, outlining cases and needs to program executives.
- Planned and facilitated engaging TFTT workshops, employing varied methods to maximize attendance.
- Encouraged youth clients to develop own activities and leadership skills through group discussions.
- Managed and led activities promoting growth in mental, emotional, and educational areas.
- Completed necessary reports and documentation to maintain thorough, accurate case records.
- Provided key emotional support to special needs youth.
- Developed and maintained relationships with partner organizations to facilitate access to youth-related resources.
- Developed and implemented range of lessons and resources to motivate young people.
- Provided guidance and advice to youth, supporting navigation of diverse personal and social issues.
- Supervised youth in residential and community-based programs to minimize risks and offer support.
- Developed and delivered educational workshops to support youth in understanding and navigating real-world experiences.
- Collaborated with parents, teachers and professionals to drive youth program outcomes.
- Supported and mentored students in developing skills to become successful in community.
- Facilitated youth development and leadership programs for young people from diverse backgrounds.
Recreation Co-ordinator
The Salvation Army
01.2003 - 01.2008
- Development, coordination, facilitation and evaluation of youth specific recreational programs and camps for young people living in care aged 12- 18
- Implement activities and establish positive relationships with varied PYFS clientele including young people with high risk behaviour and physical and intellectual disabilities
- Manage and facilitate x2 three day adventure camps per annum for high risk DoHS clients
- Develop community linkages and networks with service providers within the local community.
Case Manager
The Salvation Army
01.2003 - 01.2008
- Case management of high risk clients subject to statutory intervention
- Develop and implement various behaviour intervention strategies
- Facilitate client access to appropriate services, maintain statutory and administrative documentation to a high standard
- Liaise with various internal and external programs, workers and agencies
- Intensive outreach
- Risk Assessment of young people
- Support clients moving through the criminal justice system.
Education
Diploma of Community Services (Youth work & AOD) -
Chisholm Institute
Mornington Peninsula, VIC 01.2005 - 06.2006
Certificate IV in Community Services -
Chisholm Institute
Frankston, VIC 01.2002 - 01.2003
Certificate IV in Training & Assessment -
Chisholm TAFE
Frankston, VIC 01.2006 - 01.2007
Certificate IV in Musical Theatre -
Dance Factory
Richmond, VIC 07.2001 - 07.2002
HSC -
Murray High School
Albury, NSW 01.2000 - 12.2000
Skills
Engagement
undefinedSkills Qualities
- 21 years experience in the Youth Sector
- Strong ability to engage harder clients
- Networker
- Non – Judgemental
- Encourager
- Creative thinker
- Good Boundaries
- Self Motivated
- Compassionate
- Reflective
- Empathetic
- Committed
- Ability to connect with a diverse range of people
- Engaging
- Able to think quickly in crisis situations
- Diverse experience in both facilitation, programming and case management
- Works collaboratively
- Work across age groups
- Specialist experience with LGBTIQA+, Indigenous and Neuro Diverse clients
- Works from a strength based approach
- Can read situations and problem solve
Specialist Knowledge Training
- Current Working with children check
- Current Apply advanced first Aide, Premium health
- 2023 - Rhythm to Recovery Facilitator
- 2021 - Rites of Passage facilitator, Rites of Passage Institute
- 2019 - Sexual Education Facilitation, Talking the talk - Vanessa Hamilton
- 2019 - Facilitation Training, Group work centre
- 2018 - M power, Stride Foundation
- 2017 - Expressive Therapies, Expressive Therapies Institute Australia
- 2017 - Revved up, Stride Foundation
- 2016 - Drumbeat, Holyoake Institute
- 2016 - Strengthening families, Anglicare
- 2016 - Free to BE, Butterfly foundation
- 2015 - Tree of life, Relationships VIC
- 2012 - Adolescent brain development, Andrew Fuller
- 2009 - Challenging behaviours, Berry St
- 2008 - Sexualised behaviours, Berry St
- 2007 - Complex care, Berry St
Awards Nominations
- 2020, Tidy Towns Awards Cultural program award – Rap 4 Rap Indigenous project facilitator
- 2008, Community Services & health Industry Training Awards Vocational student award
- 2008, Awarded Victorian Vocational Student of the year
- 2007, Awarded Chisholm Institute Vocational Student of the year
Recommendations
Nick Davern, Associate Principal, Dromana Primary School
References
References will be provided upon interview
Timeline
Lead Worker - Impakt Freeza
Mornington Peninsula Shire
04.2023 - Current
Youth Engagement Facilitator - Tools for the Trade
The Salvation Army
04.2022 - 04.2023
Youth Program Facilitator
Bloom Connections
01.2020 - Current
Wellbeing Worker
Rosebud Primary School
01.2018 - 01.2019
Youth worker
Mornington Peninsula Shire Youth Services
02.2008 - Current
Certificate IV in Training & Assessment -
Chisholm TAFE
01.2006 - 01.2007
Diploma of Community Services (Youth work & AOD) -
Chisholm Institute
01.2005 - 06.2006
Recreation Co-ordinator
The Salvation Army
01.2003 - 01.2008
Case Manager
The Salvation Army
01.2003 - 01.2008
Certificate IV in Community Services -
Chisholm Institute
01.2002 - 01.2003
Certificate IV in Musical Theatre -
Dance Factory
07.2001 - 07.2002
HSC -
Murray High School
01.2000 - 12.2000
Similar Profiles
Krystal MillenKrystal Millen
Contract Manager - Infrastructure Services at Mornington Peninsula ShireContract Manager - Infrastructure Services at Mornington Peninsula Shire
Ashlee KellockAshlee Kellock
Pensions Officer and Office Support at Mornington Peninsula ShirePensions Officer and Office Support at Mornington Peninsula Shire
Anthony AllayialisAnthony Allayialis
Hospitality Manager at Mornington Shire CouncilHospitality Manager at Mornington Shire Council