Samantha Allen
Rankin Park
Summary
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, a graduate certificate in Forensic Psychology, and a master's degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, for which I was awarded Academic Excellence by Griffith University in 2023. These achievements and 12 years’ experience in the sector reflect my commitment to deepening my knowledge of child protection, early intervention, and the complex needs of families and children in our communities. My professional focus is centred on early intervention and whole-of-family work. I am passionate about ensuring that children and families receive timely, targeted support that promotes safety, stability, and positive outcomes. A significant area of interest is the intersection of child protection. I am dedicated to advocating for permanent solutions for these children, highlighting the importance of stability and long-term family connections, whether through reunification or alternative permanency arrangements. In addition to my academic qualifications, I bring strong problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of the complexities involved in working with vulnerable families. I adapt quickly to new challenges and communicate effectively with both individuals and multidisciplinary teams, ensuring that I contribute to holistic, family-focused interventions. I am also deeply invested in the collaborative aspect of this work, as I believe that positive outcomes are achieved when professionals from diverse backgrounds work together to support families and children. My experience and passion for working with young people, combined with my drive for continuous professional growth, fuel my commitment to creating lasting, positive change for children and families.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Project Officer, Broadmeadow Children’s Court Program Coordinator
The Department of Communities and Justice
09.2020 - Current
- I have played a pivotal role in supporting the implementation and management of structured processes, systems, and governance for this whole-of-government initiative, ensuring the program’s success and long-term sustainability. My involvement in the development of operational guidelines, procedures, tools, and templates has been integral to the smooth and effective implementation of the pilot.
- As part of my program management responsibilities, I coordinate data collection and brokerage procedures across multiple partner agencies, facilitating comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of the project. By working closely with both internal stakeholders and external partners, I help establish clear, accessible service pathways and outline the operational roles and responsibilities for each agency involved. Ensuring effective collaboration between agencies is critical to delivering seamless wraparound services, and I prioritize this to ensure that interventions are coordinated and impactful.
- I have developed a deep understanding of the local service sector, identifying agencies best equipped to meet the needs of young people and ensure families access the most appropriate and culturally sensitive services. In addition, I provide ongoing secretariat support to the BCCP governance group, ensuring effective program oversight and robust governance structures. I also maintain oversight of brokerage expenditure and contribute to the development of diversionary projects, fostering wider collaborative practices in partnership with government and funded service providers.
- Through diligent program management and the strategic implementation of processes, my commitment to the program’s success directly contributed to securing ongoing government funding for 2024. This funding guarantees the continuation and expansion of the program, reinforcing its critical role in delivering better outcomes for young people and families.
- Established strategic partnerships with external organizations, expanding program reach and impact.
Family Search and Engagement (FSE) Specialist and FSE Case Manager
Allambi Care
06.2018 - 08.2020
- To provide expert consultation and leadership across Out-of-Home Care departments, ensuring a collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach to achieving permanency for children and young people. In line with the Permanency Support Program (PSP) reforms in New South Wales, my role was committed to facilitating strategic, integrated responses that prioritise safe, stable, and permanent placements. This included engaging with young people, their siblings, foster carers, birth families, kin, and significant others to create a holistic, family-centred plan that promotes long-term outcomes.
- By working with cultural sensitivity and a deep understanding of diverse community needs, I ensured that all interventions were informed by an awareness of cultural factors. Active participation in cultural competency training, and continuously enhancing my approach to working with First Nations families, as well as other culturally diverse groups.
- My role included close collaboration with parents and carers in both family home settings and community environments, providing the support needed to navigate challenges and promote the stability of placements. Additionally, I was responsible for completing legal documentation and preparing supporting evidence, such as affidavits and applications, to vary or rescind court orders when necessary.
ITC Casework Manager/ Case Manager
Allambi Care
06.2013 - 01.2018
- Maintaining currency and knowledge of the framework that governs our OOHC practice including internal policies and procedures, NSW Standards of Statutory OOHC and current legislation while advocating on behalf of clients and always promoting their voice.
- To provide support to a child or young person in care and to their carer families in various ways including home visits, trauma-informed care education, behaviour support strategies, advocacy, and referral to relevant therapeutic support services. Develop and implement effective case plans, leaving care plans, and an after-care plan with child or young person, carers, birth family and relevant professionals within required time frames.
- Providing leadership, direction and supervision to Case Workers, Supervised Contact Workers and Foster Carers. Provide strategic direction and participate in the development of long-term strategic goals for departmental programs. Collaborate with external agencies to ensure all client review meetings are held at appropriate intervals as outlined by the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG). Ensure all reports are sent to external bodies in a timely manner and collaborate with the OCG and the NSW Office of the Ombudsman and to ensuring all legal requirements are met.
Education
Diploma of Community Services - Alcohol, other drugs and mental health
TAFE NSW
01.2012
Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice -
Griffith University
01.2023
Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice - undefined
Griffith University
01.2020
Graduate Certificate in Forensic Psychology - undefined
Curtin University
01.2020
Skills
- Training and mentoring
- Consumer focused
- Innovation and creativity
- Data collection
- Critical thinking
- Quality control
- Document coordination
- Project management
- Budget management
- Stakeholder relations
- Resource allocation
- Reporting and documentation
- Teamwork and collaboration
Timeline
Senior Project Officer, Broadmeadow Children’s Court Program Coordinator
The Department of Communities and Justice
09.2020 - Current
Family Search and Engagement (FSE) Specialist and FSE Case Manager
Allambi Care
06.2018 - 08.2020
ITC Casework Manager/ Case Manager
Allambi Care
06.2013 - 01.2018
Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice - undefined
Griffith University
Graduate Certificate in Forensic Psychology - undefined
Curtin University
Diploma of Community Services - Alcohol, other drugs and mental health
TAFE NSW
Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice -
Griffith University
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