Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Rachael Newland

GEELONG,VIC

Summary

Committed professional with extensive experience in client service delivery within the community service sector and public service. Known for strong analytical thinking, relationship-building abilities, and effective communication. Committed to delivering high-quality client experiences through individual attention to detail and effective team collaboration.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience

Work History

Team Leader, Connecting Families (Family Services)

Meli
GEELONG, VIC
04.2023 - 02.2026
  • Led a team of community service/social workers providing individual family support, groupwork, and community programs across Geelong.
  • Conducted regular one-on-one meetings with team members to discuss performance, set priorities, and deliver feedback.
  • Reviewed and collated data for funding bodies to ensure compliance with targets and that services met client needs and achieved desired outcomes.
  • Held Team meetings to review program outcomes, discuss issues, and brainstorm solutions.
  • Fostered a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging innovation in line with organisational values.
  • Worked with management to pinpoint areas for service enhancement and support staff development.

Team Leader Connect Up Program (Family Services)

Bethany Community Support/Meli
Geelong, Vic
11.2019 - 04.2023
  • Led a team of community service/social workers providing community engagement activities, individual family support, and groupwork for parents/caregivers in schools and kindergartens.
  • Maintained a positive work environment that promoted collaboration between team members.
  • Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to share knowledge of various agency programs.
  • Produced thorough, accurate and timely reports of program outcomes.
  • Held Team meetings to review program outcomes, discuss issues, and brainstorm solutions.
  • Monitored program compliance with organizational policies and regulations.

Lead Practitioner - SAFE Kids Program

Bethany Community Support
Geelong, Vic
04.2016 - 11.2019
  • Engaged Strength-based practice to support clients to identify goals and actions.
  • Developed individualized case plans for clients based on assessed needs.
  • Established and maintained relationships, and collaborated with key stakeholders to ensure holistic support to clients.
  • Provided supervision, guidance and support to a small team of practitioners to ensure consistent and quality practice.
  • Managed case reviews to ensure compliance with organisational policies and standards.
  • Provided support during times of transition by helping practitioners adjust to changes in roles or responsibilities.

Team Leader - Child FIRST (Family Services Intake)

Bethany Community Support
Geelong, Vic
07.2013 - 04.2016
  • Supervised daily operations of intake, guiding assessments of risk and needs for children and families.
  • Implemented best practices for client engagement and assessment of need.
  • Monitored daily workflow to ensure adherence to established policies and procedures.
  • Reviewed completed work to verify consistency, quality, and conformance.
  • Monitored team workload to balance caseloads and prevent burnout.
  • Facilitated weekly allocation meetings to coordinate case distribution among participating agencies and programs.

PASDS (Parenting Assessment and Dev) Practioner

City of Greater Geelong - Family Services
Geelong, Vic
09.2012 - 06.2013
  • Undertook comprehensive parenting assessments of parents/caregivers of Child Protection clients aged 0-3 years.
  • Evaluated parenting capacity and skill enhancement post-intensive parenting education to support client development.
  • Delivered comprehensive Assessment and Final Reports to Child Protection, serving as potential evidence in Children’s Court – Family Division.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary team to meet client goals and address diverse needs effectively.
  • Approached clients and engaged in conversation through use of effective interpersonal and people skills.

Additional Experience:

  • DHHS – Child Protection – Team Leader and Specialist roles (Community Based, and Contracted cases).
  • Hospitality – Food and Beverage Customer Service.
  • Integration Aide (Student Education Support)

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology (Hons)

Deakin University
Geelong, VIC

Skills

  • Interpersonal communication
  • Relationship building skills
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Continuous improvement
  • Attention to detail
  • Analytical thinking
  • Documentation and reporting
  • Data analysis
  • Familiarity and experience with Zoom, Microsoft 365 including MS teams, Onedrive, and Outlook

Timeline

Team Leader, Connecting Families (Family Services)

Meli
04.2023 - 02.2026

Team Leader Connect Up Program (Family Services)

Bethany Community Support/Meli
11.2019 - 04.2023

Lead Practitioner - SAFE Kids Program

Bethany Community Support
04.2016 - 11.2019

Team Leader - Child FIRST (Family Services Intake)

Bethany Community Support
07.2013 - 04.2016

PASDS (Parenting Assessment and Dev) Practioner

City of Greater Geelong - Family Services
09.2012 - 06.2013

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology (Hons)

Deakin University
Rachael Newland