Ruchita Panchal
Cranbourne South,VIC
Summary
Dynamic Senior Hub Practitioner at Anglicare Victoria with expertise in crisis intervention and risk assessment. Proven ability to enhance client outcomes through effective communication and cross-functional collaboration. Recognized for mentoring staff and implementing integrated practice frameworks, ensuring comprehensive support for families in need. Committed to fostering relationships that drive positive change.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Hub Practitioner at SMA TOD
Anglicare Victoria
Cranbourne South, VIC
10.2021 - Current
- Work within a specialist child and family discipline, within an Integrated Practice Framework, to deliver Hub services.
- Deliver screening and triage, assessment, crisis responses, service planning, targeted interventions, allocation, and coordinated referrals consistent with the Integrated Practice Framework, Operational Guidelines, Service Specifications, and relevant risk assessment tools and frameworks.
- Undertake a caseload as a lead practitioner or support worker aligned with the Integrated Practice Framework and work collaboratively with the Hub team to support integrated risk assessment and planning, including participating in case conferences and meetings.
- Carry a level of responsibility in decision-making to ensure the team effectively identifies, assesses, and prioritises the risks and needs of women, children, families, and perpetrators, drawing on the expertise of different practitioners in a multi-disciplinary team, including consultations with team leaders and practice leaders where required.
- Record client information accurately on the Hub Client Relationship Management (CRM) system, and handle client information in accordance with the Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS), information security, and privacy policies and requirements.
- Apply for brokerage on behalf of clients, following Brokerage Guidelines for approval by the Integrated Practice Leader.
- Participate in training and development, formal supervision, and performance development, as per Anglicare Victoria policies.
- Provide mentoring and support to less experienced staff, and participate in training and development, formal supervision, and performance development, as per Anglicare Victoria policies.
- Provide support to the team to ensure the effective resolution of stakeholder issues.
Senior Mental Health Worker
ERMHA
Dandenong, VIC
01.2018 - Current
- Created client personal plans based on assessments and goals.
- Helped clients deal with substance abuse, mental illness, and other concerns by delivering person-centred support.
- Selected and compiled relevant information and resources for clients to support individuals in overcoming mental and emotional problems.
- Referred clients to external resources for additional support.
- Demonstrated sensitivity and competence in treating clients from diverse backgrounds.
- Assisted clients with identifying feelings and behaviours by asking open-ended questions.
- Collaborated closely with the treatment team to appropriately coordinate client care services.
- Conferred with clients to discuss treatment options and therapy goals.
- Documented all client information, including service plans, treatment reports, and progress notes.
- Provide 1:1 care to clients experiencing poor mental health by being role models for them, and encouraging clients to accept a healthy lifestyle.
- Provide community access and support.
- Attending 1:1 supervision with the team leader.
- Attending training to develop skills and to learn BOC for clients whenever available and needed.
Case Manager
Intouch multicultural center against family violence
Richmond, VIC
03.2021 - 10.2021
- Developed appropriate care plans for at-risk individuals and high-risk families.
- Coordinated resources from diverse providers for intervention plans.
- Communicated with legal services providers, social services agencies, and local judicial systems regarding cases.
- Managed all logistics for abuse and neglect cases from start to finish.
- Facilitated ongoing case management services to support successful outcomes and meet stabilization goals.
- Participated in case conferences with a multi-disciplinary team to discuss client care planning and progression.
- Cooperated with local service providers, outreach workers, case managers, and collaborative agencies to facilitate services for members.
- Constructed case notes and comprehensive reports, including data entry into the SHIP portal.
- Advocated for women and children to coordinate care and navigate resources within the family violence system.
- Provide confidential, professional, and timely responses, support, and intervention to victim-survivors of family violence, including children, who should be recognized as victims, to achieve their state goals.
- Undertake family violence risk assessments, utilizing a structured professional judgment model.
- Assess and monitor the safety of victim-survivors through a variety of settings, including intake, outreach, and courts.
- Provide education to victim-survivors about family violence, including safety planning, the service system, recovery, and available supports.
- Ensure victim-survivors are aware of their rights and obligations, including, but not limited to, their legal rights under Victorian family violence information sharing legislation, child information sharing legislation, and the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014, as well as the Australian Migration Act 1958.
- Deliver expert advice and information to community groups and external service providers, such as courts, child protection, and other specialist family violence services, on the experience of refugee and migrant victim-survivors, and the broader family violence sector.
- Engage and advocate on behalf of refugee and migrant victim-survivors to access services and to address the systemic barriers that they experience due to racism, discrimination, disadvantages, and oppression.
- Actively engage internally with continuous quality improvement of Intouch service delivered by providing support and training to new staff, mentoring them.
- Effectively work with relevant external services and government to support an integrated approach.
- Set priorities and manage workflows to ensure effective engagement with clients and external service providers as well as internal requirements including documentation, data collection and reporting.
- Engage in ongoing professional development as/ and when required and appropriate and any other matters directed from time to time.
Disability Liaison Officer- Tradewind locum role
Safesteps
Melbourne , VIC
09.2020 - 02.2021
- Maximised the effectiveness of the disability liaison program with several key improvements.
- Teamed up with various groups to optimise understanding of the intersectionality of disability and family violence, and the challenges.
- Provide a crisis response and support service to women and children experiencing domestic violence, advocating, and responding to domestic violence as criminal acts against women and children.
- To support and provide a safe environment for women and children escaping domestic or family violence.
- Providing a crisis and support telephone service to women and their children affected by family violence.
- Accurately recording the services provided, the outcomes for each woman and her children, and other data collection required by Safe Steps.
- Liaising effectively with other services, such as those involved in the provision of longer-stay accommodation or support for refugees, in a manner that optimizes access for all women and children requiring service support.
- Making effective use of the handover period at the beginning and end of shifts for the exchange of information concerning resident women, children, and for peer support, and debriefing.
- Seeking direction from the Direct Service Manager, Program Leader - Residential Services, on-call worker, or GMO, where a need to depart from service procedures is assessed.
Team Leader - Disability Service
Outlook disability service
Pakenham, VIC
08.2019 - 09.2020
- Performed assessments to determine individual limitations and strengths.
- Collaborated with various healthcare professionals to plan respite programs.
- Supervise the team.
- Provide training and support where needed.
- Following up on referrals.
- Maintaining a good relationship with external agencies and the families of clients.
- Reporting RIDS and getting BSP ready. Keep, update, and maintain an active BSP for clients.
- Maintain a safe work environment at the respite service for the client, as well as for the staff.
- Maintain a high standard of delivery of support.
- Follow the organization's policy and procedure.
- Supporting residents to attend NDIS meetings to build and review their NDIS plan.
- Building relationships with external stakeholders.
- Led team in daily operations and strategic planning initiatives.
- Mentored junior staff on best practices and operational procedures.
- Implemented quality control processes to maintain service standards.
Team Leader Disability Services
Uniting Vic
Dandenong, VIC
01.2018 - 08.2019
- Performed assessments to determine individual limitations and strengths.
- Collaborated with various healthcare professionals to plan respite programs.
- Supervision of the team.
- Provide training and support where needed.
- Following up on referrals.
- Maintaining a good relationship with external agencies and families of clients.
- Reporting RIDS and getting BSP ready. Keep, update, and maintain an active BSP for clients.
- Maintain a safe work environment at the respite service for clients, as well as for staff.
- Maintain a high standard of delivery of support.
- Follow the organization's policy and procedure.
- Supporting residents to attend NDIS meetings to build and review their NDIS plan.
- Building relationships with external stakeholders.
- Mentored junior staff, providing guidance on best practices and problem-solving techniques.
- Organized regular team meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and solutions.
Team Leader Respite Service
Ableaustralia disability service
Camberwell, Vic
02.2015 - 01.2018
- Organizing the roster and supervising the team.
- Following up on referrals.
- Maintaining a good relationship with external agencies and the families of the client.
- Reporting RIDS and getting BSP ready. Keep, update, and maintain active BSP for clients.
- Maintain a safe work environment at the respite service for the client, as well as for the staff.
- Maintain a high standard of delivery of support.
- Follow the organization's policy and procedure.
- Delegated daily tasks to team members to optimize group productivity.
- Making sure the respite service is clean, neat, and free of safety hazards to maximize efficiency.
- Promoted to a leadership position in recognition of a strong work ethic, and provided exceptional customer service.
- Assessed, motivated, and empowered team members to work to build customer satisfaction and loyalty, to support retention, and growth.
- Mentored newly hired employees on shifts, and implemented training on safety procedures.
- Led team in daily operations and workflow management.
- Conducted performance evaluations to improve team efficiency.
- Trained new employees on processes and safety standards.
Crisis Support Advocate (Overnight)
Safesteps
Melbourne, VIC
01.2017 - 06.2017
- Provide a crisis response and support service to women and children experiencing domestic violence, advocating, and responding to domestic violence as criminal acts against women and children.
- To support and provide a safe environment for women and children escaping domestic or family violence.
- Providing a crisis and support telephone service to women and their children affected by family violence.
- Accurately recording the services provided, the outcomes for each woman and her children, and other data collection required by Safe Steps.
- Liaising effectively with other services, such as those involved in the provision of longer-stay accommodation or support for refugees, in a manner that optimizes access for all women and children requiring service support.
- Collaborated with community organizations to enhance support services.
- Making effective use of the handover period at the beginning and end of shifts for the exchange of information concerning resident women, children, and for peer support, and debriefing.
- Seeking direction from the Direct Service Manager, Program Leader - Residential Services, on-call worker, or GMO, where a need to depart from service procedures is assessed.
NISS Case Manager
Life Without Barriers
Dandenong South, VIC
09.2016 - 02.2017
- Developed appropriate case plans for refugees and asylum seekers.
- Coordinated support services and optimized communication between external agencies and service users.
- Collaborated with various community providers to facilitate the delivery of services.
- Coordinated resources from diverse providers for individuals' case plans.
- Reviewed case plans against individual goals and needs.
- Managed all logistics for abuse and neglect cases from start to finish.
- Report to immigration on a monthly basis.
- Coordinated with community organizations to facilitate effective service delivery.
- Assisted clients in navigating resources for safety and support services.
- Provided crisis intervention to clients experiencing immediate safety concerns.
Life Skill Officer/Case Manager
CAAAPU
Alice Springs , NT
07.2013 - 01.2015
- Managed the intake and maintenance of the client's records.
- Carry out duties in accordance with CAAAPU's safety policy, safety principles, corporate values, and strategies.
- Research, design, deliver, and evaluate life skills training and awareness programs for both adult clients and young people.
- Provide one-on-one counseling and group-based counseling to both adult clients and young people.
- Provide brief intervention and motivational intervention.
- Organize the aftercare plan and provide referrals to other organizations when required for clients.
- Manage and provide risk assessments for clients who have behavioral issues.
- Supervise CAAAPU clients during day-to-day recreational and treatment activities.
- Engage in appropriate de-escalation responses to ensure the safety of clients and staff, adhering to the use of restraint protocols.
- Provide advice, guidance, and education on basic hygiene practices to equip CAAAPU clients with the skills to live productive, sober, and healthy lifestyles.
- Attend case management meetings, and provide feedback and written assessments on the client's progress and outcomes.
- Assist to prepare and delivering the official CAAAPU client Induction Pack and implementation of Induction policies and procedures.
- Maintain client records of Life Skills program participation and reporting on patient outcomes, and the changing needs of clients.
- Maintain client confidentiality and sensitive information is handled accordingly.
- Integrate culturally appropriate methods and skills to assist with handling Aboriginal social, cultural, and spiritual issues.
- Develop and promote educational and life skills materials on AOD issues, health, and lifestyle practices.
- Collaborate with Treatment health professionals to develop treatment, rehabilitation and educational programs and courses.
- Ensure CAAAPU Duty of Care Protocols is always adhered to.
Family Violence Case worker
ASWS
Alice Springs , NT
09.2011 - 12.2014
- Followed strict policies and procedures to maintain client confidentiality, and keep data private.
- Met with clients to conduct needs assessments, recommending appropriate support and service offerings.
- Evaluated clients and formulated individualized safety plans, outlining short-term and long-term goals.
- Recorded comprehensive case notes and follow-up documentation for clients.
- Respond in a professional and timely manner to referrals to the service, conducting risk assessments with a focus on the immediate safety of women and children experiencing domestic and/or family violence.
- Provide support and information about Domestic and/or Family violence and ensure women are assisted to meet their safety and security needs.
- Work collaboratively with clients to develop support plans to address women's immediate & longer-term support needs.
- Provide timely advocacy and referral to other required services as identified in the support plan.
- Work cooperatively and collaboratively as part of the ASWS team.
- Participate in staff meetings, skills development and training opportunities, and performance appraisal activities as directed by the coordinator.
- Attend and respond to supervision and seek supervisory support, as required.
- Facilitate Resident's Meetings using conflict resolution skills, if necessary.
- Maintain accurate and thorough record-keeping covering all work performed in relation to clients.
- Collect process and maintain precise statistical data on clients.
- Monitor safety and hygiene at the Shelter and contribute to the general maintenance of the Shelter and the Shelter vehicles.
- Participate in a range of practical tasks that facilitate the efficient, effective, and safe running of the Shelter.
- Other reasonable duties as directed by the Co-Ordinator.
Disability Support Worker
Life Without Barriers
Alice Springs , NT
03.2012 - 06.2013
- Maintained daily living standards by assisting clients with personal hygiene needs.
- Lifted, moved, and adjusted clients to ambulate individuals for diverse needs.
- I reported concerns to my supervisor to promote optimal care.
- Coordinated doctor appointments, exercise, recreation, and family visits to maintain the schedule.
- Liaised with the supervisor to review cases and improve care.
- Planned and prepared nutritious meals and snacks to meet diabetic, low-sugar, and high-protein diets.
- Completed administration work and paperwork for over four clients.
- Administered medication to clients according to strict schedules.
- Collaborated with an interdisciplinary team of professionals, as well as clients and families, to determine appropriate treatment options.
- Improved resident and staff engagement through group activities.
- Educate parents on how to best care for children with special needs and disabilities.
- Created detailed and individualized plans to best support patients.
Community Mental Health Support Worker
CASA
Alice Springs , NT
03.2011 - 03.2012
- Provide mental health counselling and support to individuals.
- Provide a safe and welcome environment for clients.
- Provide counselling to individuals about mental health and mental health issues.
- Maintain strict confidentiality guidelines regarding all clients, conversations, and referrals.
- Provide community education, support, and activities.
- Participate in youth programs such as on the land and traditional programs and sports and recreation.
- Organize special events.
- Coordinate workshops on mental health and mental health issues.
- Provide community education and support programs.
- Access and collect relevant information and resources for clients.
- Access or develop promotional materials and information.
- Provide treatment referrals.
- Assist individuals in identifying their need for treatment programs.
- Liaise with treatment programs.
- Assist clients to meet all requirements.
- Liaise with community agencies and support.
- Collaborate with community agencies.
- Conduct case conferencing with other agencies.
- Provide education by presentations and workshops, as requested.
- Administer mental health programs and Main Activities.
- Maintain confidential written records of client interactions.
- Create and maintain notes about community contacts, presentations, and workshops.
- Maintain notes about suggestions for future presentations and programs.
- Secure the confidentiality of all interactions and records.
- Conduct all tasks regarding all relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
Disability Support Worker
Nighlife disability service
Cheltenham, VIC
06.2006 - 02.2009
- Made beds, swept floors and sanitized surfaces to support activities of daily living.
- Maintained daily living standards by assisting clients with personal hygiene needs.
- Lifted, moved and adjusted clients to ambulate individuals for diverse needs.
- Planned and prepared nutritious meals and snacks to meet diabetic, low-sodium, and high-protein diets.
- I reported concerns to my supervisor to promote optimal care.
- Coordinated doctor appointments, exercise, recreation, and family visits to maintain schedule.
- Liaised with the supervisor to review cases and improve care.
- Provided compassionate support to individuals with disabilities in daily activities.
- Assisted clients in personal hygiene and grooming routines.
- Facilitated social and recreational activities for client engagement.
- Monitored client health and reported changes to healthcare professionals.
Education
Bachelor of Social Work -
Deakin University
Melbourne, VIC02-2023
Certificate IV in Alcohol And Other Drugs -
Norther Territory Government
Alice Springs, NT11-2013
Certificate IV in Disability -
JITE
Melbourne, VIC01-2012
Certificate III in Age Care -
Australian Lawrence Aged Care College
Melbourne, VIC01-2010
Diploma in Welfare Work -
AITE
Melbourne, VIC05-2009
Diploma in Hardware And Networking, Computer -
GITE
04-2005
Bachelor of Science -
S.P.University
India04-2003
Skills
- Progress evaluations understanding
- Multi-disciplinary collaboration
- Conflict resolution
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Client meetings
- Effective customer communication
- Relationship building
- Teambuilding
- MS Office
- Risk assessment
- Case management
- Client documentation
- Crisis intervention
- Integrated practice framework
- Problem solving
- Training and mentoring
- Effective communication
- Cultural competence
- Time management
Languages
English
Full Professional
Hindi
Full Professional
Gujarati
Full Professional
Timeline
Senior Hub Practitioner at SMA TOD
Anglicare Victoria
10.2021 - Current
Case Manager
Intouch multicultural center against family violence
03.2021 - 10.2021
Disability Liaison Officer- Tradewind locum role
Safesteps
09.2020 - 02.2021
Team Leader - Disability Service
Outlook disability service
08.2019 - 09.2020
Senior Mental Health Worker
ERMHA
01.2018 - Current
Team Leader Disability Services
Uniting Vic
01.2018 - 08.2019
Crisis Support Advocate (Overnight)
Safesteps
01.2017 - 06.2017
NISS Case Manager
Life Without Barriers
09.2016 - 02.2017
Team Leader Respite Service
Ableaustralia disability service
02.2015 - 01.2018
Life Skill Officer/Case Manager
CAAAPU
07.2013 - 01.2015
Disability Support Worker
Life Without Barriers
03.2012 - 06.2013
Family Violence Case worker
ASWS
09.2011 - 12.2014
Community Mental Health Support Worker
CASA
03.2011 - 03.2012
Disability Support Worker
Nighlife disability service
06.2006 - 02.2009
Bachelor of Social Work -
Deakin University
Certificate IV in Alcohol And Other Drugs -
Norther Territory Government
Certificate IV in Disability -
JITE
Certificate III in Age Care -
Australian Lawrence Aged Care College
Diploma in Welfare Work -
AITE
Diploma in Hardware And Networking, Computer -
GITE
Bachelor of Science -
S.P.University