Maria Benedito
Mackay,QLD
Summary
Motivated child advocate dedicated to developing effective care models that enhance outcomes for young people. Proven ability to foster team collaboration and support staff training initiatives, resulting in improved compliance and care delivery. Strong relationships established with stakeholders to ensure the best support for individuals in care.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Area Manager
Manawise Group
12.2025 - 04.2026
- Implemented processes to ensure compliance with the Standards of Care Act 1999.
- Introduced new workflows with team members to enhance collaboration and achieve goals for young people in care.
- Engaged with Child Safety and Placement Service for intake of young people, negotiating care models based on program needs.
- Attended Standard of Care Discussions (SOC-R) with the Department.
- Supported Mackay Manawise Care compliance preparations for licensing, staff training, and program resets to align with organizational policies and procedures.
Case Manager
Southern Cross Support Services
01.2020 - 12.2025
- Collaborated with Child Safety Officers to develop case plans and placement agreements, ensuring alignment with best practices and regulatory requirements.
- Supported young people in transitioning to adulthood by providing guidance and resources tailored to individual needs.
- Conducted team debriefs to address project updates and challenges, fostering open communication and collaboration.
- Attend and participate in stakeholder meetings for the young people
- Create safety plans, my life (document for the team to work on goals with our young people)
- Complete core base rosters
- Complete team members supervision every 8 weeks
- Ensure all appointments are saved in the team calendars as reminders
- Weekly Reports to the Department
- Managed client audit files to ensure compliance with regulations
- Intake process with PSU based on current placement matching.
- Team building and managing red flag meetings.
- Provide support to new and current team members
- Completing psychotropic medication consent process.
Residential Team Leader
Southern Cross Support Services
03.2019 - 01.2020
- Managed daily house environment, including routine, medication, behavior, and staff support and training.
- Assisted clients in achieving personal hygiene and overall well-being.
- Administer medication
- Coordinated community access for clients and scheduled appointments.
- Supervision of family contact/visits
- Liaising with Stakeholders e.g. Child Safety, Mental Health, School
- Individual Support Plans, Safety Plans, Critical Incident reports, Progress Notes
- Managed client audit files, ensuring documentation was complete and accurate.
- Monthly Team Leader Reports to Case Manager
- Duty of Care to staff and clients
- Weekly updates to Child Safety
- Budgeting and client management of their money matters
- Manual Handling/Hoisting
Residential Care Worker
Southern Cross Support Services
02.2019 - 03.2019
- Administered medication and offered emotional support to children, fostering a safe and non-judgmental environment.
- Provided emotional support and guidance to young people in care, enhancing their coping skills in daily activities.
- Provided compassionate support to residents in daily living activities.
- Assisted with personal care tasks, including grooming and hygiene routines.
- Facilitated engaging recreational activities to promote social interaction.
Disability Support Worker
Wellways
05.2016 - 02.2019
- Provided personal care services to enhance clients' hygiene, comfort, and overall quality of life.
- Administered medication to patients, ensuring adherence to healthcare protocols and promoting health stability.
- Provided behavioral support to enhance individual well-being and development.
- Supervised family and youth/child visits to foster positive relationships and support emotional development.
- Community Access/Support
- Manual Handling/Hoisting
- Liaising with management
- Full reporting to Child Safety/Youth Justice
Community Support Worker
Wellways
05.2016 - 01.2019
- Implemented individualized support plans tailored to client needs.
- Supported individuals with daily living activities and personal care needs.
- Assisted clients in developing social skills through community engagement.
- Coordinated community access and arranged transport for young people in care, ensuring timely attendance at essential appointments.
Community Support Worker
Centacare
05.2012 - 12.2015
- Guided clients with mental health diagnoses in relearning essential life skills, enhancing independence in personal care, budgeting, banking, and housekeeping.
- Assisted clients in developing social skills and community engagement strategies.
- Assisted individuals with daily living activities, including meal preparation and hygiene.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to create personalized care plans.
Community Support Worker
Hohepa
04.2003 - 04.2005
- Developed tailored lifestyle plans for individuals to enhance their daily living and well-being
- Facilitated engagement of individuals with community services to promote inclusion and access
- Behavior Support
- Oversaw all responsibilities independently, ensuring personalized support for each individual
- Administering medication
- Working in a team environment
Community Support Worker
IHC
05.1996 - 12.1999
- Provided support to address clients' behavioral needs, fostering positive outcomes
- Created strategies to enhance clients' daily living skills, promoting independence and well-being
- Collaborated with team members to develop and implement client-centered projects
- Oversaw the care of six clients in a residential shared home.
- Administer medication to clients
- Managed all responsibilities for operations
Education
Diploma of Community Services -
Devange Training
05-2026
Skills
- Operations management
- Program development
- Compliance monitoring
- Case management and administration
- Stakeholder engagement
- Quality assurance
- Performance management
- Resource allocation
- KPI tracking
- Strategic planning
- Community outreach
- Staff training
- Client assessment
- Team collaboration
- Conflict resolution
- Relationship management
- Support provision strategies
- Training facilitation
- Staff development
- Team leadership
- Team development
- Attention to detail
- Time management skills
- Problem solving techniques
- Policy adherence
Timeline
Area Manager
Manawise Group
12.2025 - 04.2026
Case Manager
Southern Cross Support Services
01.2020 - 12.2025
Residential Team Leader
Southern Cross Support Services
03.2019 - 01.2020
Residential Care Worker
Southern Cross Support Services
02.2019 - 03.2019
Disability Support Worker
Wellways
05.2016 - 02.2019
Community Support Worker
Wellways
05.2016 - 01.2019
Community Support Worker
Centacare
05.2012 - 12.2015
Community Support Worker
Hohepa
04.2003 - 04.2005
Community Support Worker
IHC
05.1996 - 12.1999
Diploma of Community Services -
Devange Training