Sallie Kearnan
Goombungee
Summary
Experienced leader in human services dedicated to providing holistic support to individuals and families. Committed to capacity building through evidence-based, trauma-informed, person-centered, and strengths-based approaches. Demonstrates high-quality service delivery and best practices in all interactions with participants, colleagues, and stakeholders. Emphasises unconditional positive regard, transparency, non-judgmental attitude, competence, and respect towards participants and colleagues.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Specialist Homelessness Service Team Leader
North Queensland Combined Women's Services Inc.
01.2018 - Current
- Provide homelessness team staff supervision and complete performance appraisals
- Ensure homelessness team staff receive thorough induction and orientation to the service and their role
- Provide training to homelessness team staff and identify and engage sector specific training
- Provide coaching and mentoring to homelessness team staff
- Lead reviews of practice and revise and update the Specialist Homelessness Service practice guide where appropriate
- Lead continuous improvement and quality management requirements including reviews of policies and procedures
- Ensure the homelessness team staff meet all legal requirements and are up to date with relevant legislative change
- Provide reports or write funding or policy submissions to government as required
- Provide case management for the most complex cases as per the Specialist Homelessness Service Team Leader position description
- Attend network meetings as required
- Initiate stakeholder meetings where appropriate
- Supervise tertiary level students as required
- Support other women‑based services or projects as appropriate
- Manage departmental government funding for homelessness support
- Complete quarterly reports
- Act in service Coordinator's role as required
Services Advisor
Gladstone Women's Health Centre and Regional Sexual Assault Service
07.2017 - 12.2017
- Undertake initial assessment, information, safety planning, and risk assessments to ensure women access appropriate and timely support;
- Provide specialist domestic violence support and case management in accordance with funding guidelines and best practice standards;
- Work closely with key stakeholders, such as Queensland Police Service and Probation and Parole, to provide intensive case management for high risk domestic violence victims and their families;
- Provide domestic and family violence specialist knowledge to assist the court process;
- Risk assessment and assistance in the preparation of applications for domestic violence orders, variations, and revocations to existing orders;
- Liaison with court staff and police to advocate on behalf of clients, both individually and collectively;
- Network and liaison with local and state wide agencies to establish appropriate and timely client pathways and informed responses.
Program Coordinator
St Vincent de Paul Society (Cornerstone Program)
12.2016 - 07.2017
- Responsible for the management of all operational functions of the program;
- Fulfilled all funding and contractual reporting obligations to both the wider organisation and the state government;
- Supervision management and performance review of program staff;
- Worked closely with key stakeholders within the region to coordinate and provide holistic wraparound support for families;
- Provided professional case management, advice, support and assistance to families who were homeless or at risk of homelessness;
- Management of maintenance and improvements to program properties.
Homelessness Support Worker
St Vincent de Paul Society (Cornerstone Program)
08.2016 - 12.2016
- Provided comprehensive case management to families to overcome barriers which contributed to their homelessness or risk of homelessness;
- Provided advice, support, and assistance to families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness;
- Assisted families to access safe, affordable, and stable accommodation.
Client Support Worker
Ozcare - Louise Lodge (Domestic Violence Refuge)
10.2011 - 08.2016
- Undertook the initial assessment, safety planning, and risk assessment to ensure women entering the refuge accessed appropriate and timely support;
- Conducted collaborative risk assessments to determine the suitability of potential new clients;
- Provided ongoing case management of clients using the Empowerment Star Plan;
- Networked with other services for referral and advice;
- Maintained accurate and precise notes on SHIP computer system.
Court Support Worker
Ozcare DFV Court Support Worker
10.2011 - 08.2016
- Provided information, advice, and referral regarding legal matters;
- Assisted in securing and maintaining Domestic and Family Violence Protection Orders, and varying or revoking a Domestic and Family Violence Order;
- Supported clients before and after their appearance in court.
Convenor
Department of Communities (Youth Justice Conferencing Service)
06.2008 - 03.2012
- Organised interviews for participants involved and affected by the young person's offending behaviour;
- Conducted youth justice conferencing between a young person who had committed an offence, the victim/s and support people for both parties and Police;
- Guided the progression of the conference aiming to reach an agreement at the conclusion where the young person makes amends for some of the harm that was caused by their offending behaviour;
- Adhered to the Principles of the Juvenile Justice Act 1992.
Placement Support Worker
Anglicare Central Queensland (Foster, Kinship and Specialist Care Program)
08.2010 - 09.2011
- Conducted assessments for re-approval of current Foster Carer's;
- Monitored and amended Foster Care Agreements;
- Placement matching of children in care with suitable Foster Carer's and their families;
- Monthly visits, supervision, and support of Foster Carer's;
- Advocated for Foster Carer's and communicated with Child Safety Staff regarding the Child Protection Legislation.
Casual Family Support Worker
Anglicare Central Queensland
04.2006 - 06.2006
- Supervised visitations between parent/s and child/ren;
- Adhered to Department of Families guidelines outlining visitation conditions;
- Responsible for reporting to the Department of Families regarding outcomes for these visits.
Client Support Officer
Mission Australia Mission Employment (Job Placement Employment Training Program)
03.2001 - 08.2002
- Assisted homeless youth 15 to 21 years of age with accommodation, education/employment, drug/alcohol and health/hygiene issues;
Casual Family Support Worker
Toowoomba Children's Contact Centre
01.2001 - 12.2001
- Supervised visitations between non-residential parent and child/ren;
- Adhered to Court Orders outlining Visitation Conditions;
- Recorded and reported outcome of these visits and any recommendations to the centre and relevant court.
Shelter Support Worker
Toowoomba Youth Service
04.1999 - 03.2001
- Provided support to homeless youth aged 14 to 17 years of age;
- Supervised and provided life skills training to progress youth towards independent living;
- Provided assistance with education, training, and employment.
Communications Operator
Queensland Ambulance Service
01.1998 - 01.1999
- Responsible for attending to incoming Emergency Triple (000) telephone calls;
- Dispatched ambulance crews to situations as required;
- Provided advice to callers on First Aid/Emergency Situations whilst awaiting ambulance arrival.
Constable of Police
Queensland Police Service
01.1997 - 01.1999
- Mareeba District Office, Inspectors Clerk, Acting Sergeant;
- Atherton Police Station, General Duties;
- Mareeba Police Station, General Duties;
- Warwick Police Station, General Duties, Criminal Investigations Branch/Juvenile Aid;
- Brisbane City, Criminal Investigations Branch;
- North Brisbane, Mobile Patrols, General Duties;
- Mackay Police Station, General Duties, Trainee Constable;
- Oxley Queensland Police Academy, Probationary.
Education
Blue Knot Foundation
Navigating Trauma-Care-Maintaining Wellbeing
Townsville, QLD04-2025
NQCWS
Sexual Harassment Awareness Training
Townsville, QLD04-2025
Queensland Human Rights Commission
Introduction To The Queensland Human Rights Act 20
Townsville, QLD11-2024
Charmaine Knox - Inservice
Deescalation Training
Townsville, QLD04-2024
Respect@work
Sexual Harassment Awareness Training
Townsville, QLD04-2024
Dragonfly Child And Family Therapy - Beth Tinning
Vicarious Trauma
Townsville, QLD05-2023
AHURi
National Homelessness Conference 2022
Townsville, QLD08-2022
Lead With Courage
Dare To Lead
Townsville, QLD07-2022
Kentish Regional Clinic Inc
Providing Inclusive Practice For LGBTIQA+
Townsville, QLD05-2022
Fire Awareness And First Response Training
Safety And Learning Techniques
Townsville, QLD09-2021
Florence Onus
Cultural Safety in The Workplace Training
Townsville, QLD02-2021
Supporting Practice with Complex Trauma Clients -
Blue Knot Foundation
Gladstone, Queensland06.2017
Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention/Mandatory Reporting Workshops - Child Safe Organisations Workshop
NAPCAN
Gladstone, Queensland06.2017
Parent Shop
1,2,3 Magic & Emotion Coaching
Gladstone, QLD04-2017
Relationships Australia
Men's Behaviour Change Interventions - DFV
Gladstone, QLD03-2017
ASIST Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training -
Rotary Gladstone
Gladstone, Queensland09.2015
Developing Safe Best Practice Responses -
DV Connect Training
Brisbane, Queensland07.2015
Love Bites - Respectful Relationships Program Training - Development of respectful relationships and violence prevention for 14-16 year olds
NAPCAN
Rodd Point, Queensland08.2014
Mental Health First Aid Course -
Anglicare
Gladstone, Queensland03.2014
Responding to Domestic and Family Violence -
Tavistock Institute Pty Ltd
Townsville, Queensland01.2012
Skills
- Effective team leadership
- Clear communication
- Responsive to new challenges
- Strong relationship-building abilities
- Demonstrated professional conduct
- Crisis resolution strategies
- Analytical problem-solving
- Proficient in managing multiple tasks
- Meticulous attention to detail
Education Courses
- Youth Justice Convener Training, Department of Communities, Rockhampton, Queensland, 2008
- Tertiary Preparation Program, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, 2001
- Probationary Police Officer Training, Queensland Police Service, Queensland, Queensland, 1997
Timeline
Specialist Homelessness Service Team Leader
North Queensland Combined Women's Services Inc.
01.2018 - Current
Services Advisor
Gladstone Women's Health Centre and Regional Sexual Assault Service
07.2017 - 12.2017
Program Coordinator
St Vincent de Paul Society (Cornerstone Program)
12.2016 - 07.2017
Homelessness Support Worker
St Vincent de Paul Society (Cornerstone Program)
08.2016 - 12.2016
Client Support Worker
Ozcare - Louise Lodge (Domestic Violence Refuge)
10.2011 - 08.2016
Court Support Worker
Ozcare DFV Court Support Worker
10.2011 - 08.2016
Placement Support Worker
Anglicare Central Queensland (Foster, Kinship and Specialist Care Program)
08.2010 - 09.2011
Convenor
Department of Communities (Youth Justice Conferencing Service)
06.2008 - 03.2012
Casual Family Support Worker
Anglicare Central Queensland
04.2006 - 06.2006
Client Support Officer
Mission Australia Mission Employment (Job Placement Employment Training Program)
03.2001 - 08.2002
Casual Family Support Worker
Toowoomba Children's Contact Centre
01.2001 - 12.2001
Shelter Support Worker
Toowoomba Youth Service
04.1999 - 03.2001
Communications Operator
Queensland Ambulance Service
01.1998 - 01.1999
Constable of Police
Queensland Police Service
01.1997 - 01.1999
Blue Knot Foundation
Navigating Trauma-Care-Maintaining Wellbeing
NQCWS
Sexual Harassment Awareness Training
Queensland Human Rights Commission
Introduction To The Queensland Human Rights Act 20
Charmaine Knox - Inservice
Deescalation Training
Respect@work
Sexual Harassment Awareness Training
Dragonfly Child And Family Therapy - Beth Tinning
Vicarious Trauma
AHURi
National Homelessness Conference 2022
Lead With Courage
Dare To Lead
Kentish Regional Clinic Inc
Providing Inclusive Practice For LGBTIQA+
Fire Awareness And First Response Training
Safety And Learning Techniques
Florence Onus
Cultural Safety in The Workplace Training
Supporting Practice with Complex Trauma Clients -
Blue Knot Foundation
Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention/Mandatory Reporting Workshops - Child Safe Organisations Workshop
NAPCAN
Parent Shop
1,2,3 Magic & Emotion Coaching
Relationships Australia
Men's Behaviour Change Interventions - DFV
ASIST Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training -
Rotary Gladstone
Developing Safe Best Practice Responses -
DV Connect Training
Love Bites - Respectful Relationships Program Training - Development of respectful relationships and violence prevention for 14-16 year olds
NAPCAN
Mental Health First Aid Course -
Anglicare
Responding to Domestic and Family Violence -
Tavistock Institute Pty Ltd
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