Leanne Smith

I began my career at DCJ in September 2020. My choice to work at DCJ was a concious decision due to my own family history with the Department. I work from a strengths-based approach seeking to empower individuals and families to recognize and achieve personal and family goals.

My personal framework is based on Human Rights and the Rights of the Child.

I am a Bundjalung woman from Northern NSW.

I have extensive experience in promoting healthy relationships including: Domestic and Family Violence, effective communication, behaviour management, individual and family goal setting and promoting healthy living skills using a holistic approach. I worked with Save the Children for 10 years and had the opportunity to work within different programs including Parenting Programs and support and have had many different experiences working with small children, youth and families. Save the Children framework is based on a therapeutic model which allowed me to advance my skills and knowledge working with the most disadvantaged communities and their people through Strength based and Early Intervention.

My ability to connect and engage with disengaged children, youth and families has been noted as being exceptional throughout my career.

I have a dedicated passion for justice, child protection and promoting education on the impacts of domestic and family violence.

I see myself as a compassionate, non-judgemental person who is committed to assisting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families find their valued place in the world.

I am a change advocate and support staff in working through issues that may arise for them regarding change. I have a positive outlook for the future and seek to promote this in the workplace, respecting diversity through compassion and empathy for others. I continue to seek personal and professional growth and grasp any opportunity that presents itself that will support my increase of knowledge and understanding of Australia and its people.

My passion is working with marginalized people and their families to support and empower them to recognize their full potential. I am highly experienced in working with young people and families, particularly those in crisis, Indigenous, CALD, sufferers of Mental Illness, Homelessness & Disability and Drug Abuse and Domestic and Family Violence.

I have a good understanding of legal and departmental requirements concerning custody/residence and care issues and child protection due to my extensive experience in working within residential care settings and being a foster carer for over 10 years.

I see myself as a team player who readily identifies with organisational goals and policies and respectfully aligns my work practice to achieve these.

I am a detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. I have the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. I am organized and dependable with a positive attitude.

I have demonstrated my willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.

I hold: - a current NSW C class drivers' licence

Current First Aid Certificate Working with Children Check

• Special achievements
• 2016-2019 -Chair First Nations Peoples Coalition- Logan
• 2015-2016- Co-Chair First Nations Peoples Coalition- Logan
• 2015-2018- Director of Murrigunyah- Logan
• 2014 & 2015- Regional CEC awards
• 2011 - Guest presenter at the 7th Annual Indigenous Family Domestic Violence Prevention Forum in Mackay, QLD
• 2008- Program winner of the National Child Abuse Prevention Award