Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Training
Timeline
Generic

Michael Ferry

Millbank,Australia

Summary

Experienced with state-wide operational management, ensuring seamless execution of strategic initiatives. Utilises strong leadership to drive team performance and operational success. Track record of optimising processes and promoting a collaborative work environment.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

State Manager - Family Support Program

Kanda
06.2024 - Current
  • Implement outcomes-focused leadership to drive excellence and accountability across family support services.
  • Identify and pursue opportunities for service expansion and enhancement, focusing on family support, placement support, and outreach.
  • Develop and implement strategies to increase referrals and broaden the reach of the organisation's services.
  • Coordinate, review, and monitor outcomes for family support and placement services, ensuring they are outcomes-focused, data-driven, and compliant with regulations and standards.
  • Provide strong leadership and guidance to practitioners, youth workers, and residential care workers who deliver services.
  • Implement professional development programs, mentorship initiatives, and training opportunities to enhance team skills and capabilities.
  • Develop and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders, including government agencies, community organisations, and partners, to support and expand family support services.
  • Actively seek business opportunities and partnerships to enhance service delivery and expand the organisation's impact.
  • Work closely with the COO to ensure effective management of all internal and external resources related to family support and placement services.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures that uphold best practices in the field.
  • Ensure all programs are managed in compliance with legislative, funding, and regulatory obligations and best practices.
  • Lead initiatives to build the capability of the family support and placement teams, ensuring a skilled, capable, and motivated workforce.
  • Provide strong leadership and guidance to the broader family support team of case managers, practitioners, youth workers, residential care workers.
  • Actively contribute to leadership and strategy discussions as a valued member of the CYF Senior Leadership Team.
  • Mentor and lead the team, creating and encouraging a positive, supportive, and collaborative culture for both staff and service users.

Regional Manager (Higher Duties)

Southern Cross Support Services
  • Lead and manage the region including corporate governance, financial management and proactive human resource management whilst maintaining a culture of continuous improvement and quality service delivery.
  • Ensure all Children, Youth & Families Programs are appropriately managed in compliance with legislative, funding, and regulatory obligations and best practice.
  • Manage risk associated with delivery of services within the region and ensure risk management processes are implemented.
  • Maintain understanding of legislative requirements of government funded programs and of the challenges associated with service provision in the child protection sector.
  • Maintain knowledge and understanding of legislative, policy and practice requirements relating to Aboriginal children, families, and communities and the ability to apply in case management processes.
  • Establish, manage and maintain relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including with government, industry and community to deliver on outcomes.
  • Establish, develop and manage the operational needs and ongoing development of services within the region.
  • Ensure that program targets, performance objectives and statutory responsibilities are met.
  • Coach, guide and share knowledge with teams to encourage learning and reflection.



Case Manager (Service Delivery Manager)

Southern Cross Support Services
02.2022 - 06.2024
  • Ensure that the emotional, social, behavioural and educational needs of children and young people are met through the development, implementation and review of individual plans.
  • Maintain an understanding of the principles of Child Protection and work collaboratively with other government and non-government agencies to ensure the protection of children and young people.
  • Ensure that critical incident reporting is completed within required timeframes.
  • Ensure that residential care settings are clean, well maintained and meet compliance requirements.
  • Create a team culture of support and respect.
  • Support staff in their roles by providing supervision, debriefing and regular contact.
  • Facilitate team meetings.
  • Develop and maintain positive and collaborative relationships with government departments, stakeholders and the community.
  • Undertake Human Resource tasks such as probation reviews, performance management and disciplinary processes.
  • Undertake necessary administrative reporting and tasks as required.
  • Attend and participate in regular supervision, team meetings, stakeholder meetings, and inter-agency meetings as required.
  • Participate in professional development opportunities.
  • Complete direct care shifts as needed.
  • Participate in after hours on call duties.

IFS Case Manager

Impact Community Services
07.2018 - 02.2022
  • Working directly with families and children who have multiple and complex needs.
  • Conduct group work facilitation to deliver activities focused at enhancing behaviour management, parenting skills, health and wellbeing or child protection awareness.
  • Liaise and collaborate with relevant stakeholders using a lead case management/coordination approach to address family’s needs, with consent and consultation with the client.
  • Independently coordinate an allocated case load, work collaboratively with the IFS team and creatively respond to families support needs within the expected timeframe.
  • Identify, develop and maintain case plans and goals with families that provide a clear direction and purpose, so underlying child protection concerns are addressed within required timeframes.
  • Develop engagement strategies for families experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV) and who have a significant trauma history, this includes assessing, monitoring and minimising risk to family members and workers.
  • Contribute to identifying the complexity of domestic and family violence and undertake risk assessments where domestic and family violence is identified in partnership with the IFS DFV Case Manager and Program Manager.
  • Engage all family members within the identified household to determine the support needs and risks associated to the child protection concerns, working with the family unit collectively and on an individual basis.
  • Work in partnership with the extended community to develop reliable and sustainable referral pathways that promote ethical and quality practice principles.
  • Respectfully challenge client’s behaviours through applying trauma informed interpersonal communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
  • Work within IFS structured case management framework which involves the application of structured decision-making tools, collaborative assessment tools and legislative requirements.
  • Complete quality case notes records, assessment overview with an evidence-based rationale and case plan development, monitoring and evaluation.
  • Accurately and consistently enter data into a database system within the required timeframe and securely store client information.
  • Continue to develop community and public awareness around the impacts of DFV and the complexities that exist for families.
  • Develop and maintain knowledge of current contractual requirements and operational updates.
  • Comply with relevant legislation, regulations and professional standards.

Program Manager

Disability Services Program
06.2014 - 01.2016
  • Engage Families
  • Manage a Home and Community Care (HACC) Day Centre for people with disabilities, mental health concerns and the homeless.
  • Client Home Visits.
  • Experience in managing rosters for NDIS support.
  • Develop a computer system for Data recording.
  • Complete Assessments on Community members to assess eligibility for program appropriateness.
  • Work collaboratively with other agencies and conduct joint home visits and casework tasks.
  • Provide Staff supervision regularly.
  • Facilitate and chair Staff and client meetings.
  • Operate small business enterprises for young adults with a disability.
  • Organise trips for young adults with disabilities.
  • Prepare multiple programs to be audit ready.

CPP4 Advanced Child Protection Practitioner

DHS Child Protection (Multi–Discipline Centre)
04.2013 - 06.2014
  • Provide quality, timely and effective case practice and case management services within an established child protection service delivery framework at an advanced level.
  • Exercise a wide range of authorities and legal delegations pursuant to the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 and other specific delegations and functions including adherence to relevant DHS practice standards.
  • Respond to and investigate reports concerning children at risk of harm and undertake assessments of the child and their circumstances utilising established assessment and intervention techniques applicable to child protection cases.
  • Prepare documentation, present information and make recommendations to the Children’s Court of Victoria and other relevant courts and tribunal processes on decisions and actions in the best interests of the child.
  • Actively contribute as a collaborative team member in the development and review of case plans, related to strengthening families and promoting a child’s safety, stability and development.
  • Work with children, families and carers to implement the actions determined through planning to bring about the changes necessary to ensure the safety, stability and development of the child. This includes directly guiding, encouraging and supporting the child and family while monitoring impacts and outcomes.
  • Provide information to children, families, carers and service providers on procedures, practices, guidelines and legislation and provide advice and case consultation on reports regarding child safety and wellbeing and the role of Child Protection in those matters.
  • Monitor, analyse and review case plans and protective orders; assess the effectiveness of services provided Advanced Practitioner 3 to clients and provide well-developed recommendations on intervention strategies and client service delivery.
  • Provide advice and opinion to professionals in other disciplines; lead or participate in case conferences, including family decision making, with other professionals.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with children, young people, their families, carers and service providers, utilising a range of appropriate communication, collaboration and decision-making processes.
  • Use the Client Relationship Information System (CRIS) for all recording, analysis and review of client information and use a range of IT/web-based applications in accordance with departmental guidelines and privacy principles.
  • Supervise child protection students and support and mentor less experienced child protection practitioners.
  • Participate actively in supervision and professional development opportunities.
  • Keep accurate and complete records of your work activities in accordance with legislative requirements and the department's records, information security and privacy policies and requirements
  • Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and for that of others in the workplace by working in accordance with legislative requirements and the department's occupational health and safety (OHS) policies and procedures.
  • Demonstrate how the actions and outcomes of this role and work unit impact clients and the department’s ability to deliver, or facilitate the delivery of, effective support and services.

CPP3 Child Protection Practitioner

DHS Child Protection
02.2012 - 04.2013
  • Under general supervision, provide quality, timely and effective case practice and case management services within an established child protection service delivery framework.
  • Exercise a wide range of authorities and legal delegations pursuant to the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 and other specific delegations and functions including adherence to relevant Department of Health & Human Services practice standards.
  • Respond to and investigate reports concerning children at risk of harm and undertake assessments of the child and their circumstances utilising established assessment and intervention techniques applicable to child protection cases.
  • Prepare documentation, present information and make recommendations to the Children’s Court of Victoria and other relevant courts and tribunal processes on decisions and actions in the best interests of the child.
  • Lead or participate in case conferences and family meetings with other professionals.
  • Actively contribute as a collaborative team member in the development and review of case plans, related to strengthening families and promoting a child’s safety, stability and development.
  • Work with children, families and carers to implement the actions determined through planning to bring about the changes necessary to improve the safety, stability and development of the child. This includes directly guiding, encouraging and supporting the child and family while monitoring impacts and outcomes.
  • Provide information to children, families, carers and service providers on procedures, practices, guidelines and legislation and provide advice and case consultation on reports regarding child safety and wellbeing and the role of Child Protection in those matters.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with children, young people, their families, carers and service providers, utilising a range of appropriate communication, collaboration and decision-making processes.
  • Use the Client Relationship Information System (CRIS) for all recording, analysis and review of client information and use a wide-range of IT/web-based applications in accordance with departmental guidelines and privacy principles.
  • Participate actively in supervision and professional development opportunities.
  • Keep accurate and complete records of your work activities in accordance with legislative requirements and the department's records, information security and privacy policies and requirements.
  • Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and for that of others in the workplace by working in accordance with legislative requirements and the department's occupational health and safety (OHS) policies and procedures.
  • Demonstrate how the actions and outcomes of this role and work unit impact clients and the department’s ability to deliver, or facilitate the delivery of, effective support and services.

Education

Advanced Diploma - community Services Management

.
Brisbane, QLD
01.2024

Diploma - behavioral science

CQU
01.2023

Diploma - community services work

TAFE NSW
NSW
01.2011

Certificate 3 - business

MADEC
Mildura Vic
01.2009

Skills

  • Reliable
  • Diligent worker
  • Positive attitude
  • Collaborative team member
  • Driven professional
  • Positive interpersonal skills
  • Adaptable learner
  • Self-motivated professional

Certification

  • Queensland Driver’s License
  • LCS2 Clearence
  • Forklift License
  • Current police check
  • Working with Children’s check (blue card)
  • Current yellow card

Training

  • Mental health first aid (2010)
  • ASSIST Training (2011)
  • Dual diagnosis Workshop (2010)
  • Dual Diagnosis training (2011)
  • Working with CALD clients Workshop (2010)
  • Understanding challenging behaviours in Disability (2007)
  • Trauma workshop with Dave Ziegler (2010)
  • Trauma Workshop with Dave Ziegler, Australian Childhood Trauma Group, (2011)
  • YSS Bravo Training (2011)
  • CBT Training (2011)
  • NCPIC Training (2011)
  • OHS workplace training (2011)
  • Completed Beginning Practice (2012)
  • Therapeutic care training – Berry Street (2012)
  • Bridges out of Poverty training (2012)
  • Occupational Violence Training – DHS (2012)
  • Working with Children and families affected by Sexual Abuse, and Forensic interviewing - DHS (2013)
  • Powerfully productive program – MFC (2014)
  • Staying connected – Staying Well, HACC Social Support. Talking Solution (2015)
  • Dementia Training. (2015)
  • Mandatory IFS training (2018)
  • David Mandel Domestic violence 4-day training (2019)
  • FAST training (2019)
  • CAP training (2018)
  • SDM training (2018)
  • Intentional Leadership Foundations Program (IML) (2021)
  • IML Member, Australia and New Zealand.
  • Hope and healing training. (2022)
  • Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training (2023)
  • Sanctuary model training (2023)
  • Future Leaders Program (Kanda 2024)
  • Parents under Pressure Program Accredited Facilitator (Griffith University 2024-2025)
  • Parents Under Pressure Supervisors Training Program (Griffith University 2025)

Timeline

State Manager - Family Support Program

Kanda
06.2024 - Current

Case Manager (Service Delivery Manager)

Southern Cross Support Services
02.2022 - 06.2024

IFS Case Manager

Impact Community Services
07.2018 - 02.2022

Program Manager

Disability Services Program
06.2014 - 01.2016

CPP4 Advanced Child Protection Practitioner

DHS Child Protection (Multi–Discipline Centre)
04.2013 - 06.2014

CPP3 Child Protection Practitioner

DHS Child Protection
02.2012 - 04.2013

Diploma - behavioral science

CQU

Regional Manager (Higher Duties)

Southern Cross Support Services

Advanced Diploma - community Services Management

.

Diploma - community services work

TAFE NSW

Certificate 3 - business

MADEC

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Michael Ferry