OSAJIE OKPIAIFO
Community Services & Youth Support
Durack,NT
Summary
Mental Health and Community Support Worker supporting people experiencing mental illness, homelessness and complex social barriers. Delivers client intakes, assessments, referrals and practical advocacy across housing, Centrelink, legal and community services. Strengthens client records, court support letters and exit summaries while maintaining culturally safe practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Overview
1
1
Certification
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Mental Health / Bail & Parole / Homelessness
The Salvation Army Darwin
Darwin, NT
07.2026 - 08.2026
- Supported clients experiencing mental health challenges, homelessness and complex social circumstances.
- Assisted with client intakes, assessments and external referrals.
- Provided advocacy and practical client support.
- Liaised with lawyers, Centrelink and non-government organisations.
- Assisted with case management and service coordination.
- Prepared court support letters and exit summaries.
- Maintained accurate client records and completed data entry.
- Supported clients to access appropriate services and resources.
Mental Health Peer Support
TEMHCO
Darwin, Northern Territory
04.2026 - 05.2026
- Participated in mental health peer support activities.
- Developed understanding of recovery-oriented and person-centred practice.
- Supported positive engagement and connection with people experiencing mental health challenges.
- Observed professional approaches to communication, boundaries and consumer support.
Disability Support Worker
ITECH Health
Darwin, Northern Territory
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Supported clients, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, with personal care, daily living and community participation.
- Worked with young people subject to Child Protection Orders and clients with complex needs.
- Implemented behaviour support plans and therapeutic interventions.
- Supported clients experiencing behavioural and emotional challenges.
- Assisted with meal preparation, activity planning and medication support.
- Supported community access, appointments and social participation.
- Completed accurate case notes, incident reports and client documentation.
- Worked collaboratively with families, carers and multidisciplinary professionals.
Disability Support Worker
Amazing Grace Community Services
Darwin, Northern Territory
07.2020 - 01.2023
- Provided person-centred support to promote clients' independence, dignity and wellbeing.
- Supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and people from diverse backgrounds.
- Assisted with personal care, activities of daily living, meal preparation, medication support and household tasks.
- Supported community access, appointments, education, employment and social participation.
- Implemented individual care and behaviour support plans.
- Monitored client wellbeing and reported changes in presentation or support needs.
- Maintained accurate progress notes, incident reports and other client documentation.
- Worked collaboratively with families and multidisciplinary teams.
- Maintained client confidentiality, rights and professional boundaries.
Patient Care Assistant
Royal Darwin Hospital
Darwin, Northern Territory
07.2019 - Current
- Provide person-centred care to patients with diverse physical, emotional and health needs.
- Assist patients, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, with personal care and activities of daily living.
- Support feeding, mobility, appointments and daily routines as required.
- Monitor and report changes in patient condition and increased care requirements.
- Maintain clean, safe and organised patient environments.
- Work collaboratively with nurses, allied health professionals and multidisciplinary teams.
- Maintain patient dignity, privacy, confidentiality and safety at all times.
Therapeutic Youth Worker
CASPA
Darwin, Northern Territory
01.2021 - 01.2024
- Provided therapeutic, trauma-informed and person-centred support to children and young people living in out-of-home care.
- Supported young people experiencing trauma, family breakdown, neglect, abuse, behavioural challenges and mental health concerns.
- Built trusting relationships while maintaining professional boundaries and a strong focus on safety and wellbeing.
- Supported emotional regulation, communication, social development and independent living skills.
- Assisted with daily routines, personal care, meal preparation and household responsibilities.
- Implemented individual care plans, therapeutic strategies and behaviour support plans.
- Used positive behaviour support, de-escalation and crisis intervention strategies.
- Supported young people to attend school, medical appointments, counselling and community activities.
- Encouraged participation in education, recreation, employment preparation and cultural activities.
- Supported young people to identify strengths, make positive choices and work towards individual goals.
- Maintained accurate case notes, progress reports and incident reports.
- Monitored changes in behaviour, mood and wellbeing and reported concerns appropriately.
- Worked collaboratively with case managers, psychologists, social workers, carers, families and schools.
- Participated in team meetings, handovers and case discussions.
- Advocated for young people's rights, voice, choice and participation.
- Promoted culturally safe and respectful practice when supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and people from diverse backgrounds.
Disability Support Worker
Territory Disability Services
Darwin, Northern Territory
09.2019 - 06.2020
- Provided person-centred support to people with autism and diverse support needs.
- Assisted with personal care, daily living activities, meal preparation and household tasks.
- Supported community participation, appointments, social activities and skill development.
- Implemented individual support and behaviour plans.
- Used patience, consistency and positive reinforcement to encourage independence.
- Monitored progress and reported concerns appropriately.
- Maintained accurate client, incident and medication assistance records.
- Collaborated with families and multidisciplinary professionals.
Mental Health Support Worker
Programme Health Professionals
Darwin, Northern Territory
01.2017 - 02.2020
- Supported consumers experiencing mental illness within inpatient mental health settings.
- Provided culturally safe and person-centred support, including support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers.
- Responded to behavioural and mental health crises in accordance with organisational procedures.
- Used calm communication and de-escalation strategies when supporting distressed consumers.
- Assisted with personal care, daily routines and community engagement.
- Supported recovery-focused care plans and multidisciplinary service delivery.
- Observed changes in mental state, behaviour and emotional wellbeing and reported concerns.
- Escorted clients to appointments, court appearances and community visits.
- Maintained professional boundaries, confidentiality and accurate documentation.
Education
Diploma - Mental Health
ACCSC
08-2026
Certificate III - Individual Support
Fox Education
01-2025
Certificate IV - Retail Management
CDU
01-2012
Skills
Client intake and assessment
Case notes and report writing
Crisis intervention
Child protection and safeguarding
Behaviour support and de-escalation
Service coordination and referrals
Trauma-informed practice
Psychosocial support
Individual care planning
Cultural safety and awareness
Certification
NT Driver Licence, Australian First Aid Certificate, Working with Children Card, NT Police Clearance, NDIS Worker Screening Check, Workplace Health and Safety Certificate
Timeline
Mental Health / Bail & Parole / Homelessness
The Salvation Army Darwin
07.2026 - 08.2026
Mental Health Peer Support
TEMHCO
04.2026 - 05.2026
Disability Support Worker
ITECH Health
01.2022 - 01.2023
Therapeutic Youth Worker
CASPA
01.2021 - 01.2024
Disability Support Worker
Amazing Grace Community Services
07.2020 - 01.2023
Disability Support Worker
Territory Disability Services
09.2019 - 06.2020
Patient Care Assistant
Royal Darwin Hospital
07.2019 - Current
Mental Health Support Worker
Programme Health Professionals
01.2017 - 02.2020
Certificate IV - Retail Management
CDU
Certificate III - Individual Support
Fox Education
Diploma - Mental Health
ACCSC