Meagan Brettschneider

Dedicated and passionate social work professional aspiring to leverage extensive experience and proven leadership skills to excel in a managerial role within the social work field. Committed to promoting social justice, empowering individuals, and communities, and driving positive change. Eager to contribute strategic vision, collaborative expertise, and compassionate leadership to enhance organizational effectiveness and achieve impactful outcomes in the realm of social services. Motivated Social Worker with comprehensive knowledge of social justice issues and systems affecting marginalized communities. Passionate about developing and facilitating programs to support communities in need. Collaborative and analytical advocate builds strategic partnerships, advocate for clients and advance change for communities in need.

• Driver’s License
• Certificate 4 in Work place Training and Assessment

• Vulnerable Families Paper, Child and Adolescent Mental Health conference in Adelaide
• Social Work in a Multi Discipline Team – Rural Social Work Conference Victoria
• A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to service delivery in the Drug and Alcohol Field

• Substance Use Disorder Training including OTP training, Drugs in Pregnancy, NADA Conferences, Risk Assessment, Motivation Interviewing., Legal Issues training, Family Systems training, Cultural awareness, Neurobiological Trauma training NMT (New York)
• Children with sexualized behaviors, responding to Sexual Abuse Disclosures
• Sexual Assault Training – New worker SAS / JCPRP Neurological Development
• Complex Case Analysis, Guardianship – training and update
• Managing an Ethical and Effective workplace, being an Advocate
• Survival tools for self-harm and suicidal thoughts
• Management of Health Services – AASW – Sydney University
• Resilience Framework Training – Benevolent Society Sydney
• Incredible Years Training – Sydney University
• Benevolent Management Training, Managing Budget, You as a Manager
• Case Planning and Monitoring
• WHS in the workplace
• Recruit, select and induct staff
• Assessment of Clients – Family Strengths and Needs
• Bachelor of Social Work Charles Sturt University
• Bachelor of Welfare Studies University of Western Sydney
• Trained Child Protection Worker from the Department of Family and Community Services

• 12/01/22, Current, Integrity Therapy Services, Social Worker, Currently working as Private Practice Social Worker, working in ICARE and NDIS. Working with complex medical cases, accident, trauma and disability field of work. Working across all of Western NSW, both virtual and face to face Social Work delivery.
• 11/01/19, 12/01/22, Youth Drug and Alcohol Clinical Support Network, Team Leader, Managing Youth Drug and Alcohol Clinical Support across Western NSW LHD, clinical consultation, capacity building and service management. Developing support for services to work together to provide drug and alcohol interventions for young people, Clinical advice and support for services working with young people (10-18), assessing and providing appropriate drug and alcohol interventions for young people with complex needs, Training, education and resources on providing drug and alcohol interventions for young people. Developing links to local services and referral pathways to support coordination of care.
• 11/01/20, Current, Marist 180 and Life without Barriers, Residential Care Worker, Experienced in drug and alcohol work and providing support to young people in a residential service. I am a strong team player, authentic and optimistic regarding delivery of support services to individuals with complex needs. I have experience of working in residential care on weekends and night shifts and am flexible and qualified. I have capacity to work on a roster which could include nights, I am passionate and energetic and have experience in providing support to women and children in a residential service. I have experience as a Drug and Alcohol Worker providing assistance to clients within an evidence-based framework, I have experience working with clients on admission and worked at Centrelink and on administrative duties with clients. I have experience in performing daily residential duties and facilitating group work and client activities.
• 12/01/16, 11/01/19, Orange Health Service, Senior Sexual Assault Worker, Managing the Orange Sexual Assault Service including the 24 hour On Call Sexual Assault Service in Orange, provided supervision, client counselling and support. Delivered Service Management, Sexual Assault Counselling and Management in a professional and ethical manner, to staff and clients, with excellent feedback on my management and theoretical framework counselling. Western Area Manager for On Call Sexual Assault Service – 7 day (24 hour day) for 1 week per month, managing all cases the attend the On Call SA Forensic Services, Case Management, consultation and service coordinator. Working with Vulnerable clients of all life span development, priority referral is from JCPRP Children and adolescent referrals. Working with youth and trauma impacts and responses to trauma.
• 2013, 2017, Western Area Health Network, Senior Social Worker, Role has included the development, implementation and establishment of the Involuntary Drug and Alcohol Treatment Unit Service throughout NSW. The Social Work role has been a State Wide Social Work position, managing the delivery of Social Work Services in an inpatient and outpatient program. The role has included outreach program to outpatients throughout NSW and forming key partnerships and networks of health care professionals in the patient’s communities. An integral role of the position has been the development of comprehensive policies and procedures for the IDAT Unit. Analysis of work practices, assessment of best work practice, implementation of strategies and review processes, procedures and outcomes has been a major role of the Social Worker. Working clinically with complex clients with Drug and Alcohol vulnerabilities, delivering family work, community work and education.
• 2010, 10/01/13, Western Area Health Network, Senior Social Worker, Role has included the establishment and implementation of the Sub Acute Care Program in the Western Area Health Network. The social work role had been and integral position in a multi discipline team and the interface of acute care, sub acute care and rehabilitation. The Social Work role has been involved with the development of the service to a successful highly regarded multi discipline team involving complex medical cases. The role included supervision of social work students and clinical/ peer supervision of Aged Care Team Social Worker.
• 2007, 07/01/10, Benevolent Society, Team Leader and Area Manager, Role has included the establishment and implementation of the Lead Agency Brighter Futures Program. Management of the Program, Staff, Caseloads, Policies, Client Work, Assessment of suitability for clients for the program, management of partnerships, budgets and growth of the service. As the Area Manager, the role included managing six (6) offices for the program, 25 staff including social workers, parenting coordinators, team leaders, aboriginal case managers and administration staff. Operationally, being responsible for the development of the program and the day to day function of the Brighter Futures Program. Other duties included recruitment, performance management, policy development, program review, supervision of staff and students.
• 2011, 2017, Rosehill Consultancy, Operating Private Practice Social Work Services, Role involves completing Comprehensive Psychosocial Relative Kinship Assessments for Assessments Australia Company and private practice counseling. This private practice work is completed in the evenings and some weekends.
• 2011, 2012, Interrelate, Contact worker, Casual and weekend work with the Interrelate Family Contact Centre. The role has included supervising Family Law Contact Arrangements between parents and their children. Working with voluntary and involuntary clients. Supervising contact workers and participating in peer supervision
• 2004, 2007, Centrelink, Senior Social Worker, Management of the Social Work Department at the Orange Centrelink Office. Assessment, staff supervision, budget and data management and file management.
• 2002, 2004, Bloomfield Mental Health Facility, Social Worker, Social work in the Child and Adolescence Psychiatric facility and rehabilitation Unit of Turon and Manara. Assessments, counseling, Mental Health Court Work.
• 1996, 2002, Vision Australia, Social Worker, Managed the Social Work Position for all of Western Area NSW for Royal Blind Society, role included group work, counseling, family work, assessments, and management of data.
• 1994, 1996, Community Health Centre, Sexual Assault Worker, Area senior sexual Assault Counselor, role included counseling, group work, community education, networking, court preparation, and crisis intervention and data management. Area position covered all of the Lachlan Shire.
• 1991, 1994, Department of Community Services (DCJ), Child Protection Worker, Trained Child Protection Worker role included Assessment, Court, and Out of Home Care. Acted as Client Program Office and Assistant Case Work Manager. Child Protection Worker and Acting Assistant Manager Casework.
• 1994, 2004, TAFE, Social Work Teacher, Managed the Social Work Position for all of Western Area NSW for Royal Blind Society, role included group work, counseling, family work, assessments, and management of data.