REGINA SCHAEINING

Compassionate and solutions-focused professional with extensive experience supporting children, families, and communities facing complex needs. Expertise in risk assessment, crisis intervention, and collaborative case management ensures effective engagement with vulnerable populations. Deep commitment to cultural safety and community engagement, particularly with Aboriginal communities.

• Driving License: NSW Driver Licence
• Availability: available for Campbelltown, Liverpool, Ingleburn, Fairfield, Bankstown

• Reduced crisis incidents by 30% through proactive risk assessment, early identification of safety concerns, targeted safety planning, and timely intervention — directly applicable to child protection risk and safety practice.
• Supported 100+ individuals and families navigating complex challenges, including family violence, mental health crises, and substance use withdrawal — developing strengths-based support skills that translate directly to vulnerable families.
• Co-developed individualized support and care plans with psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, and allied health professionals — demonstrating shared decision-making and multidisciplinary teamwork.
• Delivered community education and advocacy across mental health, family violence, LGBTQIA+ safety, and Aboriginal community engagement — reflecting a commitment to prevention, inclusion, and community capacity-building.
• Supported equitable access and participation — bridging language and cultural barriers, explaining complex rights and processes, and ensuring vulnerable people are heard and understood within child protection-related processes.
• Maintained 95% satisfaction ratings from clients and families through respectful, responsive, and transparent practice — demonstrating the client-service focus valued by DCJ.
• Produced consistent, accurate, timely documentation across high-volume, high-pressure environments — ensuring information is reliable, evidence-based, and suitable for decision-making, review, and court purposes.

• DCJ Role Requirement
• Regina's Capabilities & Experience
• Assess safety, risk, and wellbeing of children and young people
• Extensive experience conducting structured risk assessments relating to safety, harm, mental health, behavioural risk, and vulnerability; skilled in identifying escalating concerns and prioritising child safety.
• Develop safety plans and manage high-risk / high-needs cases
• Proven ability to co-develop individualised safety and care plans with clients, families, and multidisciplinary teams; monitor progress, identify barriers, and adjust plans to maintain safety.
• Work sensitively with families in complex circumstances
• 20+ years supporting people experiencing trauma, family violence, substance use, disability, and disadvantage; trauma-informed, person-centred, and culturally respectful practice.
• Collaborate with agencies and stakeholders
• Established track record working across health, community, government, and non-government sectors; coordinating support services and sharing information appropriately.
• Prepare documentation, reports, and court materials
• Highly skilled in writing clear, accurate case notes, risk assessments, progress records, and formal reports; understands requirements for court-ready documentation.
• Crisis intervention and decision-making
• Remain calm under pressure; apply de-escalation and communication strategies; make sound, values-based decisions with available information.
• Home visits, field work, and independent workload management
• Work autonomously, manage competing priorities, travel across communities, and maintain flexible hours; hold valid NSW Driver Licence and Working with Children Check.
• Cultural competence and inclusive practice
• Deep engagement with Aboriginal communities and cultural awareness practice; bilingual and bicultural; committed to inclusion, diversity, and culturally safe service delivery.

• Aligned with DCJ Core Values:
• Service: Provide high-quality, fair, and responsive support; prioritise child safety and family wellbeing.
• Trust: Communicate honestly, keep commitments, share information appropriately.
• Accountability: Take responsibility for decisions, records, and quality of work.
• Integrity: Act ethically, impartially, and consistently.
• Respect: Value diversity; treat every person with dignity; adapt practice to respect culture, language, and circumstance.
• Ready to Commence:
• Fully qualified — exceeds academic requirements with three degrees + postgraduate study
• Clearances in place — Driver Licence, Working with Children Check
• Core capabilities proven — risk assessment, safety planning, case management, report writing, crisis response, court documentation
• Location confirmed — South Western Sydney resident; available across all five locations
• Committed to learning — ready to undertake the Caseworker Development Program
• Culturally aware and experienced — prepared to work respectfully with Aboriginal families and communities
• "I am passionate about keeping children safe, strengthening families, and supporting communities to thrive. My experience, qualifications, values, and commitment make me well-prepared to join DCJ as a Child Protection Caseworker and make a meaningful difference across South Western Sydney."