MICHAL COHEN
Melbourne,VIC
Summary
With over 18 years experience in the community services sector, 12 specifically in the family violence sector and more than 5 years in leadership roles, I am a dedicated and passionate leader committed to excellence. I specialize in trauma-informed practice, focusing on family violence, strength based case management and crisis intervention. My ability to deliver innovative, outside of the box problem solving in high-pressure and crisis-focused environments is a testament to my commitment to best outcomes, while always maintaining a positive mindset. I am devoted to creating a safe and supportive team atmosphere to ensure the highest level of service.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Refuge Manager
Emerge Women & Children’s Support Network
01.2022 - 05.2025
- Working in Emerge’s core and cluster high security refuge for women and children victim survivors of family violence, managing a multi disciplinary team of 15 members (some directly managed) including team leaders, therapists, case managers, support workers, students and volunteers.
- Responsible for the service delivery from refuge and to all clients of the service residing in Emerge’s nominated properties ensuring trauma informed best practice is always delivered.
- Lead organizational response to client incidents and coordinate refuge risk reporting and safety breaches.
- Develop and deliver refuge operations, ensuring quality service delivery in crisis intervention, case management, risk assessment, therapeutic services, and safety planning.
- Develop, review, and improve refuge practice manuals, service forms, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance and high-quality service delivery.
- Provide staff supervision and complete all management related tasks including professional development plans, case allocation, recruitment, induction, roster planning, planning, debriefing, and support.
- Develop and coordinate refuge programs such as legal health check and weekend recreational activities.
- Monitor refuge budget and assist in developing the annual organizational budget.
- Network with stakeholders such as DFFH, Family Safety Victoria, community services, and donors; represent the organization at forums and meetings.
- Conduct regular refuge team meetings to coordinate smooth operation of all program aspects towards best client outcomes.
- Foster a culture of integrity, collaboration, and professionalism.
- Provide secondary consultation for high-risk complex situations.
- Collaborate with the organization leadership team, including the CEO, to ensure all programs are coordinated and reflecting best practice.
- Participate in 24/7 crisis intervention consultations.
- Report organization data to DFFH and ensure service compliance and targets are met.
Refuge Team Leader
Emerge Women & Children’s Support Network
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Led a team of case managers and support workers in a high-security core and cluster refuge for women and children escaping family violence.
- Provided regular staff supervision, debriefing and consult in all aspects of crisis intervention, risk assessment, safety planning and case management.
- Ensured team delivered high-quality, trauma-informed practice to victim survivors utilizing relevant tools and frameworks
- Completed staff management tasks such as approving leave, conducting performance development plans, allocating caseloads and tracking caseload progress.
- Collaborated closely with the refuge manager for optimal service delivery.
- Coordinated efficient handover to weekend staff.
- Approved expenditures within allocated financial limits.
- Fostered a positive team environment through exemplary leadership, ensuring quality service delivery.
- Participated in the supervisor on-call roster, providing 24/7 crisis intervention consultation.
- Assisted in recruiting and inducting new team members.
- Conducted daily handover meetings, regular team meetings, and facilitated cross-team meetings with the therapeutic team.
- Facilitated conflict resolution to support staff as needed.
- Represented the organization at stakeholder networks and forums, enhancing partnerships and collaboration.
Senior Family Violence Case Manager
Emerge Women & Children’s Support Network
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Worked in a multidisciplinary team as a Senior Family Violence Case Manager, demonstrating leadership and expertise.
- Led and conducted daily debriefings for case managers, strengthening team professional development and efficiency.
- Provided secondary consult to the case managers on complex cases for best outcomes.
- Mentored case managers in delivering high-quality case planning, risk assessment, court support, advocacy, and all other responsibilities.
Family Violence Case Manager
Emerge Women & children’s support network
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Worked as a case manager within a specialized team at Emerge high secure refuge.
- Provided trauma informed case management, crisis support and advocacy for women and children victims/survivors of family violence.
- Conducted comprehensive risk assessments and developed tailored safety plans and client centered holistic case plans addressing various complex needs.
- Provided psychoeducation to empower women to break the cycle of violence
- Provided court support in many court hearings in various matters such as IVO’s, parenting orders, child protection protective orders and more.
- Collaborated with court registrars, duty lawyers, child protection and police.
- Ensured smooth transition to safe long term housing and coordinated referrals and collaborated with external services.
- Assess and induct families referred to the refuge.
- Provide comprehensive support, advocacy, and referrals for women and children from CALD backgrounds.
- Liaise and make referrals to community and government organizations.
- Provide 24/7 crisis response as part of Emerge’s on-call roster.
Family Violence Case Manager
Women’s Liberation Halfway House (currently called YANA)
12.2007 - 06.2010
- Collaborate within a dedicated team at WLHH, the pioneering women’s refuge in Victoria, providing high secure accommodation and specialized support for victim survivors of family violence.
- Deliver high quality intensive case management including support, information, and referrals for a diverse range of needs, including family violence, mental health, AOD, housing, and legal issues.
- Develop comprehensive, client centred case plans, ensuring holistic support.
- Conduct thorough risk assessments and safety planning to ensure safety.
- Provide long-term outreach support post-accommodation to ensure ongoing physical and emotional safety.
Case Manager
Brotherhood of St Laurence
03.2007 - 12.2007
- Played a vital role in the Personal Support Program within the Community and Employment Development Department, focusing on innovative pathways to employment, education, or training.
- Participated in in-depth assessments and developed solution-focused action plans tailored to clients’ needs for achieving their goals.
- Facilitated the development of meaningful employment, education, and training pathways in alignment with clients’ goals and capabilities.
- Delivered high-quality support to address barriers to employment such as homelessness, substance abuse and mental health.
- Collaborated with training and education providers to facilitate client access to necessary programs.
- Identified and referred clients to appropriate services, including housing, AOD and counseling services.
Case Manager
South East Family Services- Uniting Connections
03.2005 - 03.2007
- Case managed long term families with complex needs, focusing on child safety and wellbeing, using client focused and strengths based approaches.
- Developed parenting skills in collaboration with parents.
- Provided crisis intervention as required.
- Employed assertive outreach strategies to engage hard-to-reach families.
- Prepared reports and maintained accurate, up-to-date case notes and databases.
- Liaised with Child Protection, schools, kindergartens, and other service providers.
- Supported family members, including adolescents and children, by addressing various issues and facilitated referrals to appropriate service providers.
Social Worker
Welfare Department
01.2002 - 01.2005
- Empowered parents through tailored educational programs, enhancing their skills and confidence.
- Mitigated child risk through proactive family support initiatives.
- Completed referrals for governmental and therapeutic assistance, securing necessary support.
- Delivered targeted case management to families facing complex challenges, providing counselling and mediation on child development and parental strategies.
- Conducted in-depth needs-based, strength-based family assessments to plan effective interventions.
- Managed and recruited community donations and resources, fostering collaboration and coordination.
Education
Bachelor in Social Work -
The Hebrew University
01.2001
Skills
- Team Leadership
- Program Coordination and Development
- Leading Trauma Informed Practice
- Staff Supervision
- Budget Development and Monitoring
- Strategic planning
- Crisis Intervention
- Family Violence Practice
- Complex Problem-solving
- Proven resilience and effectiveness in high-pressure environments
COURSES
- Reflective Leadership | ShantiWorks | May 2025
- First Aid | June 2024
- MARAM Collaborative Practice | Bayside Peninsula Integrated FV partnership | Aug 2024
- Trauma Responsive Leadership | Bluenot | Sep 2023
- Bonanza Financial Djungle | Bonanza the visual language of finance | May 2023
- Fast Track Intensive leadership program | Safe and Equal | Oct 2021
- Mental Health First Aid
- ASIST Applied Suicide Intervention Skills | LivingWorks
Timeline
Refuge Manager
Emerge Women & Children’s Support Network
01.2022 - 05.2025
Refuge Team Leader
Emerge Women & Children’s Support Network
01.2021 - 01.2022
Senior Family Violence Case Manager
Emerge Women & Children’s Support Network
01.2019 - 01.2021
Family Violence Case Manager
Emerge Women & children’s support network
01.2015 - 01.2019
Family Violence Case Manager
Women’s Liberation Halfway House (currently called YANA)
12.2007 - 06.2010
Case Manager
Brotherhood of St Laurence
03.2007 - 12.2007
Case Manager
South East Family Services- Uniting Connections
03.2005 - 03.2007
Social Worker
Welfare Department
01.2002 - 01.2005
Bachelor in Social Work -
The Hebrew University
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