VANESSA FITZGERALD
Goulburn,Australia
Summary
Dynamic professional with extensive experience at the Dept. of Justice and Community Safety, excelling in case management and program development. Proven ability to engage stakeholders effectively while delivering therapeutic, trauma-informed rehabilitative courses. Recognized for strong leadership and analytical skills, driving positive outcomes for individuals with complex needs.
With over 25 years of experience in the health and social welfare sectors, including nursing, child protection, and forensics, I possess a vast set of knowledge and skills that would support any employer.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Justice Housing Coordinator
Dept. of Justice and Community Safety
Canberra
05.2025 - 11.2025
- Company Overview: Department of Justice and Community Safety (JACS) 2CA
- Work with primarily detainees as well as those under community orders to apply, assess and determine suitability whether the applicant meets the criteria for the Short-Term Accommodation Program with intensive case management.
- Participate in holistic case conferencing to evaluate program needs and analyse outcomes.
- Keep comprehensive note taking, data collection and evaluate statistical data to provide monthly reports to reflect program performance and review quality assurance.
- Engage and develop systems and programs to prepare detainees for readiness to enter the program.
- Work closely with external stakeholders to engage in intensive case management services to meet the goals and needs of each of the tenants.
- Department of Justice and Community Safety (JACS) 2CA
Family Worker
Dept. of Justice and Community Safety
Australia
09.2023 - 05.2025
- Company Overview: Department of Justice and Community Safety (JACS) Alexander Maconochie Centre
- Work with detainees, internal, external stakeholders, families to provide a connection that is positive tool to stop recidivism.
- Present Parenting Programs including 'Bringing up Great Kids. And BIPS 'Healthy Relationships'.
- Work to support and assist a detainee to upskill and empower a parent to engage with the courts system and agencies to adherer to parenting orders.
- Inclusive of this is 1:1 intensive or brief therapeutic counselling services to address both criminogenic and learn skills, tools and strategies to be a parent or have a healthy communication between partners.
- Facilitated groups to address specific needs such as grief and loss, anger management and social skills.
- Developed and implemented strategies to reduce and prevent family conflict.
- Completed comprehensive assessments of families to identify needs and develop treatment plans.
- Implemented evidence-based therapeutic interventions to promote positive behaviours change.
- Department of Justice and Community Safety (JACS) Alexander Maconochie Centre
Team Leader Carer Development
Marymead
12.2022 - 07.2023
- Manage the Carer Development program whilst meeting accreditation documentation writing and supporting and supervising staff to complete authorisation assessments on carers.
- Established open and professional relationships with team members to achieve quick resolutions for various issues.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Established positive and effective communication among unit staff and organization leadership, reducing miscommunications, and missed deadlines.
- Analyzed and reported on key performance metrics to senior management.
- Assisted in recruitment to build team of top performers.
- Collected, arranged, and input information into database system.
- Conducted regular reviews of operations and identified areas for improvement.
- Devised and implemented processes and procedures to streamline operations.
Acting Team Leader OOHC
Marymead
09.2022 - 07.2023
- Provide education, guidance on legalities of OOHC, develop policies and procedures ensuring that the rights of both child and carer are met within the parameters of the legislation.
- Ensure best practice and regular and ongoing evaluation of the standards of documentation and legal submissions were analysed.
- Provided monthly supervision of staff utilising both solutions focused and PASE models.
- Approving and monitoring of quality assurance tools and that staff were meeting their assigned goals and targets.
- Trainer of Therapeutic Intervention Care to staff and carers.
Lead Case Manager
Marymead
09.2021 - 09.2022
- Assist in the daily operational and clinical management of supporting caseworkers in delivering therapeutic practice whilst monitoring documentation and quality assurance.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive case management plans to address client needs and goals.
- Established and maintained relationships with key stakeholders.
- Wrote descriptive and accurate impending and present danger assessments and family functioning assessments.
- Completed comprehensive assessments of families to identify needs and develop treatment plans.
Permanency Casework Manager
Marymead
03.2020 - 09.2021
- Management of cases involving children and young people in the foster care system.
- Attend to the holistic care of CYP and their carers.
- Prepare administrative and therapeutic tasks.
- Coordinated service delivery among multidisciplinary teams for effective client care.
- Managed casework processes to support families in need of assistance.
Program Manager/Casework Manager/TCI Trainer
Acttogether Barnardos
10.2018 - 03.2020
- Management of young people in a residential placement and the supervision of youth workers.
- Prepare administrative documents.
- Complete case management.
- Hold supervision and appraisals as well as performance management.
- Monitor WH&S, Safety Card, Frill Drills, maintenance, financial matters pertaining to the placement.
- Undertake development of policies and procedures.
- Complete all case management plans and risk assessments to assist in the case development of the young person and family.
Team Leader - Residential Services
Acttogether Barnardos
07.2018 - 10.2018
- Management of young people in residential placements and supervision of youth workers.
- Prepare administrative documents.
- Complete case management.
- Hold supervision, appraisals, and performance management.
- Coordinated training sessions for new staff and volunteers.
- Monitored compliance with organisational policies and procedures.
- Supported conflict resolution among team members to maintain harmony.
Forensic Caseworker
ACSO (Australian Community Support Organisation)
09.2017 - 07.2018
- Secondment to Long Bay Correctional Jail.
- Intensive case management works with individuals leaving the prison system to assist them in reintegrating into the community without reoffending or causing further crime in society.
- Facilitating and developing offender rehabilitation programs.
- Conducted assessments to determine client needs and service eligibility.
- Developed individualized support plans based on client circumstances and goals.
- Coordinated with external agencies to facilitate client access to resources.
- Maintained detailed case records, ensuring legal compliance with organisational policies.
- Led discussions to identify key challenges and propose actionable solutions.
Team Leader
ACSO (Australian Community Support Organisation)
07.2017 - 07.2018
- Provide frontline leadership to caseworkers working with individuals leaving the prison system and reintegrate into society.
- Provide support to the Program Manager and assist with monthly file audits, brokerage claims and organisational outcomes.
- Supervision of staff and development of rehabilitation programs.
- Led team in delivering community support services to vulnerable populations.
- Coordinated training sessions for staff to enhance service delivery skills.
- Maintained a positive work environment that promoted collaboration between team members.
- Provided expert testimony in court regarding interview findings and methodologies.
- Maintained detailed records of all interviews for legal compliance and reference.
AOD/ Forensics Caseworker and Group Facilitator
Multiple - Long Bay, Dillwhynia, Tamworth Jails. NGO AOD services, Rehabilitation units (Pub/Priv)
01.2012 - 09.2017
- Based at both public and private hospitals throughout NSW, including acute and sub-acute wards, forensic AOD, and mental health nursing.
- Engaged with St. Vincent's Injection Centre, St. Vincent's Day Recovery Programs, and Rehabilitative Programs to contribute to ECT services
- Deliver case management and counseling services for AOD/Mental Health, Dual Diagnosis clients.
- Implement best practice harm minimisation or abstinence approaches in recovery treatment programs across individual and group therapy formats.
Team Leader/Caseworker
FACS/DCJ/JIRT
08.2006 - 06.2011
- Working directly with young people facing high and complex needs, providing casework management.
- Assisting senior management in the accreditation process.
- Supervised team operations to ensure efficient workflow and task completion.
- Trained new staff on company policies and best practices for operational excellence.
- Oversaw daily operations and ensured compliance with safety regulations.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations and provided constructive feedback.
Education
Bachelor Social Science - Criminology and Criminal Justice
Swinburne University
05.2026
Various online Training Courses - Dom & Fam Violence, Sexual Sex Offending and Reflective Practice, Fraud and Ethics, Engaging in conversation with offenders of DV
Department Justice and Community Safety
05.2025
Bringing Up Great Kids Train the Trainer -
Shine for Kids
03.2025
Therapeutic Interventions in Complex Trauma -
Blue Knot Foundation
12.2023
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Train the Trainer -
Cornell University
02.2023
Diploma in Counselling -
Australian Institute of Psychology and Counselling
09.2021
Accidental Counsellor -
CCWT
08.2021
Didactic Psychological Development and Practice Level 1 -
Marymead
03.2020
Double Diploma - Diploma Community Services, Leadership And Mgt
Train 4 Life ACT
Canberra, ACT01-2018
Master of Science - Psychiatric/AOD Nursing Specialist
University of Tech Sydney
Sydney, NSW02-2003
Bachelor of Science - Nursing Science
University of Technology Sydney
Sydney, NSW11-2000
Skills
- Experience creating and facilitating focus groups
- Mental health support
- Motivational interviewing
- Behavioral support
- Delivery of therapeutic, trauma-informed rehabilitative courses
- Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training
- Dedication
- Motivational interviewing techniques
- Oral and written communication skills
- Able to work autonomously or in a team
- Working with high and complex needs
- Adaptability
- Engagement and Interpersonal Skills
- Problem solving
- Analytical skills
- Leadership, teaching, and mentoring skills
- Ability to maintain a calm demeanor when faced with challenging, pressured situations, utilising conflict resolution skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Delivery of Therapeutic Trauma-Informed Rehabilitative Courses to Offenders
- Case management
- Program development
- Engaging Stakeholders in a Positive and Professional Manner
References
- Eshna Sewak, Program Manager, ACSO/ Long Bay Correctional Jail, 0420 980 567, eshna.sewak@hotmail.com
- Christie Bishop, christie.bishop@act.gov.au, current supervisor
- Selena Gibbs, Marymead Carer, 0433 539 118, selenagibs007@gmail.com
Key Skills And Qualities
- Experience creating and facilitating focus groups integrating theory and practice
- Research, administrative and analytical skills
- Ability to assess situations and make appropriate decisions in a timely manner
- Ability to find suitable solutions to encountered problems
- Leadership, teaching, mentoring and interpersonal skills
- Ability to engage with and achieve outcomes with individuals from a variety of ages, cultures and genders with a flexible and adaptable approach
- Ability to work with those who have high and complex needs
- Ability to maintain a calm demeanour when faced with challenging, pressurised situations
- Effective, reliable and valuable team player but also able to take initiative and work independently
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Strong Leadership and mentoring skills
- Motivational Interviewing techniques
- Dedicated and hard working
- Delivery of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training
- Delivery of Therapeutic Trauma Informed Rehabilitative Courses to Offenders
Timeline
Justice Housing Coordinator
Dept. of Justice and Community Safety
05.2025 - 11.2025
Family Worker
Dept. of Justice and Community Safety
09.2023 - 05.2025
Team Leader Carer Development
Marymead
12.2022 - 07.2023
Acting Team Leader OOHC
Marymead
09.2022 - 07.2023
Lead Case Manager
Marymead
09.2021 - 09.2022
Permanency Casework Manager
Marymead
03.2020 - 09.2021
Program Manager/Casework Manager/TCI Trainer
Acttogether Barnardos
10.2018 - 03.2020
Team Leader - Residential Services
Acttogether Barnardos
07.2018 - 10.2018
Forensic Caseworker
ACSO (Australian Community Support Organisation)
09.2017 - 07.2018
Team Leader
ACSO (Australian Community Support Organisation)
07.2017 - 07.2018
AOD/ Forensics Caseworker and Group Facilitator
Multiple - Long Bay, Dillwhynia, Tamworth Jails. NGO AOD services, Rehabilitation units (Pub/Priv)
01.2012 - 09.2017
Team Leader/Caseworker
FACS/DCJ/JIRT
08.2006 - 06.2011
Bachelor Social Science - Criminology and Criminal Justice
Swinburne University
Various online Training Courses - Dom & Fam Violence, Sexual Sex Offending and Reflective Practice, Fraud and Ethics, Engaging in conversation with offenders of DV
Department Justice and Community Safety
Bringing Up Great Kids Train the Trainer -
Shine for Kids
Therapeutic Interventions in Complex Trauma -
Blue Knot Foundation
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Train the Trainer -
Cornell University
Diploma in Counselling -
Australian Institute of Psychology and Counselling
Accidental Counsellor -
CCWT
Didactic Psychological Development and Practice Level 1 -
Marymead
Double Diploma - Diploma Community Services, Leadership And Mgt
Train 4 Life ACT
Master of Science - Psychiatric/AOD Nursing Specialist
University of Tech Sydney
Bachelor of Science - Nursing Science
University of Technology Sydney
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