Natalie Cergovski
Melbourne,VIC
Summary
I am a hardworking, passionate, and innovative social worker with experience across the child and family welfare, family violence, and disability sectors. I am deeply committed to supporting families and children with complex needs through a therapeutic, trauma-informed, and evidence-based approach. I have a strong understanding of the intersectionality between family violence and alcohol and other drugs (AOD), and how these factors impact children's development and wellbeing. With a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge, extensive community-based experience, and highly transferable skills, I bring valuable insights and practical expertise to the Practice Lead – AOD Child Development and Family Violence role and your organization.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Family Preservation & Reunification Response (FPRR) Practitioner
Melbourne City Mission
01.2022 - Current
- Collaboratively work with families to provide tailored therapeutic intervention and case management.
- Multi-agency collaboration and engagement with external stakeholders, i.e., child protection, specialist family violence services, health and community services.
- Strong knowledge and understanding of child development, attachment and wellbeing.
- Strong knowledge and understanding of the impacts and intersection of family violence, mental health and alcohol and other drug use to children, parental/caregiver capacity and overall family functioning.
- Strong skills in assessing, managing and mitigating risk.
- Key role in the implementation and co-facilitation of the Bringing up Great Kids (BUGK) program.
- Training new staff and completion of managerial duties during team leader’s leave, i.e., attend external meetings, support staff surrounding risk management and safety planning.
- Completion of various trainings and application to practice, i.e., Theraplay, Family therapy foundations, BUGK after family violence, Safe & Together, MARAM framework training.
Mens Behaviour Change Practitioner
Uniting
08.2022 - 12.2024
- Weekly co-facilitation of men’s behaviour change program (MBCP).
- Completion of weekly group administrative tasks, i.e., weekly session preparation, review sessions with men.
- Knowledge of Duluth model, feminist theories, reflective practice and motivational interviewing and application to practice.
Family Safety Contact Worker
Uniting
08.2021 - 06.2022
- Provide phone-based counselling and psychoeducation to affected family members (AFM) of men who attend Uniting’s MBCP for the 20-week duration of the program.
- Ongoing risk assessment, safety planning and completion of appropriate referrals.
- Practice using feminist theories, strength-based and trauma-informed care approach.
- Completion of MARAM assessment during victim survivor intake calls.
Research Assistant
The University of Melbourne
03.2021 - 12.2021
- Gather and analyze data for the literature article ‘The impact of Covid-19 lockdown on parents and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)’, in preparation for publication.
- Completion of interviews with research participants.
- Analysis and identification of key themes and sub-themes, compare and combine qualitative and quantitative data and results in collaboration with colleagues.
NDIS Engagement Officer
DPV Health
09.2018 - 08.2021
- Strong knowledge of the NDIA and NDIS plans.
- Conducted assessments of participants NDIS plan to determine their needs and eligibility for services.
- Develop and implement service agreements and all other required documentation with clients.
- Key role in the development and implementation of the contract management system, Folio. Developed and implemented the Folio program in accordance with the needs of the role and overall organization.
- Training of staff onsite and remotely.
Education
Master of Social Work -
The University of Melbourne
02.2022
Bachelor of Health Sciences - Rehabilitation Counselling
La Trobe University
01.2017
Skills
- Communication & deep listening skills
- Collaborative and supportive team player
- Strong organizational skills
- Thrive in high pressure environments
- Trauma-informed practice
- Strength-based practice
- Risk assessment
- Child-centered practice
- Goal setting & intervention planning
- Record management
- Prompt learner & commitment to professional growth
Timeline
Mens Behaviour Change Practitioner
Uniting
08.2022 - 12.2024
Family Preservation & Reunification Response (FPRR) Practitioner
Melbourne City Mission
01.2022 - Current
Family Safety Contact Worker
Uniting
08.2021 - 06.2022
Research Assistant
The University of Melbourne
03.2021 - 12.2021
NDIS Engagement Officer
DPV Health
09.2018 - 08.2021
Bachelor of Health Sciences - Rehabilitation Counselling
La Trobe University
Master of Social Work -
The University of Melbourne
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