Vicky Zhao
Perth, Ballajura Perth,WA
Summary
A qualified social worker by AASW as well as a qualified educator by ACECQA. As a social worker, I have a strong commitment to providing client centered holistic practice whilst developing my knowledge further. As a child protection worker in Department of Communities Central Intake Team, I demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of child protection laws, policies, and practices to ensure the safety and welfare of children. I managed multiple cases simultaneously, prioritizing tasks effectively to meet deadlines and address urgent concerns. I work collaborated with multi-disciplinary teams, including psychologists, and legal professionals, to coordinate services and support for families. Utilized strong communication skills to communicate effectively with parents, children, and other stakeholders, ensuring clarity and understanding throughout the intervention process. I also developed culturally sensitive approaches to engage with Aboriginal and culturally diverse families, recognizing and respecting their unique backgrounds and perspectives. My experience working with the foster care team has inspired me to work further with foster families with complex needs. As a family support worker in Wanslea, I have the capacity to evaluate the requirements of foster carers and assist them in addressing any challenges or apprehensions within their foster care arrangements. I utilize a strengths-based therapeutic care approach to enhance carer competence. I engage in extensive cooperation with social workers and the entire care team to deliver support for placements. As a qualified educator in Zig Zags OSHC, I am able to help young children develop emotional, social and educational skills. Familiar with developmentally appropriate activities and experienced by providing nurturing environments conducive to learning. I am also used to be a marketing manager at Wavecrest Tours Pty Ltd in Perth, which gave me another time to strengthen my communication skills with different clients and team member.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Child Protection Worker
Department of Communities Child Protection and Family Support Services - Central Intake Team -SRRS
Perth, WA
01.2024 - Current
- Comprehensive knowledge of child protection laws, policies, and practices.
- Assessed referrals regarding suspected abuse or neglect by gathering pertinent information from various sources.
- Provided crisis intervention services to families in need of immediate assistance.
- Resilience and ability to manage multiple and conflicting priorities.
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Cultural competence and understanding of issues affecting diverse populations.
- Collaborated with community partners, such as law enforcement and medical providers, to ensure the safety of children.
- Provided education on parenting skills, anger management, stress reduction techniques and effective communication strategies.
- Updated documents and maintained permanent records.
- Engaged in ongoing professional development activities related to child welfare topics such as trauma informed care or cultural competency training.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, leveraging our collective expertise and strengths to achieve positive outcomes for the children and families we serve.
Family Support Worker (OHC)
Wanslea
Perth, Western Australia
04.2023 - Current
- Worked collaboratively with the entire care team to provide both emotional and practical support to foster cares, including active participation in carer team meetings like Placement Planning meetings, education sessions, and carer planning meetings.
- Advocated for foster carers and children in need, offering assistance in challenging circumstances and facilitating access to essential services.
- Utilized a strengths - based therapeutic care approach to increase carer competence.
- Specialized in evaluating the needs of foster carers and assisting them in resolving any issues or concerns within the foster care arrangement.
- Supported social workers to provided case management services including intake, assessment, crisis intervention, advocacy, referral and monitoring of families.
- Facilitated carers' access to essential training and ongoing learning opportunities, as these are crucial for their development and increased skill and knowledge in their role as foster carers.
- Maintaining regular contact with foster carers, achieved through phone calls, emails, and in-home visits.
- Organized various Wanslea carer events, such as Foster Mother's and Father's Day events, Carer Service Awards ceremonies, Christmas parties, training conferences, and coffee mornings.
Instructor Coordinator
Codekids Pty Ltd
Perth, Western Australia
08.2022 - 04.2023
- Coordinated and facilitated training, encouraging group participation and ownership.
- Implemented instructional materials and curriculum to meet specific program needs.
- Evaluated employees to assess and provide performance feedback.
- Liaised with internal teams and external customers to facilitate smooth communication and handle requests.
- Set appointments and managed meeting schedule.
- Created reports using advanced data management and software skills.
- Identified and resolved complex problems impacting operations management and business direction.
- Developed social media marketing strategies to help brand company and increase sales.
Qualified Educator
Zig Zags OSHC
Perth, Western Australia
07.2021 - 07.2022
- Encouraged positive self-esteem and mutual respect for others while instilling joy of learning and discovery.
- Communicated with parents and guardians about student daily activities, behaviors and related issues.
- Made special accommodations to integrate students with ADD, ADHD and other learning disabilities.
- Developed lessons, activities and materials to cover required course material.
- Engaged with children on individual basis to build positive, trusting relationships.
- Met with administrators and department team members to work on curriculum planning and assessment methods.
- Removed hazards and developed appropriate boundaries and rules to create safe environment for children.
- Observed children to record development.
- Fully take over the job when supervisor is absent.
Marketing Manager
Wavecrest Tours Pyt Ltd
Perth, WA
03.2017 - 03.2021
- Developed social media marketing strategies to help brand company and increase sales.
- Represented company at local and trade association meetings to promote products.
- Managed creation of marketing materials, collateral and sales support tools.
- Worked with management team to oversee and monitor marketing strategy.
- Measured profitability of each product line and maintained current and accurate sales forecasts.
Social Worker
Child and Youth, Baptist care SA
Adelaide, SA
03.2016 - 01.2017
- Advocated for client rights and sought solutions by tracking and monitoring legislation and arranging and attending meetings with congressional lawmakers and staff
- Assessed clients for abuse and neglect to compile documentation for court reports
- Helped clients develop new coping mechanisms and techniques to drive behavior modification
- Encouraged socialization and engagement through therapy, music therapy and social activities
- Maintained regular contact with clients by calling and visiting clients' homes
- Developed plans to strengthen family units
- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
Social Worker
Anglicare SA
Adelaide, SA
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Mentor of Star Bear Program, I worked as a mentor in the Star Bear Program
- Providing service to Children and teens aged 5-17 who are grieving the death of a significant person in their life
- Helping them increase the understanding of death and the grieving process
- I supported children and encouraged them 2 to share their experiences with other children
- I applied strong bereavement knowledge and communication skills in the three day Star Bear Camp
- I also applied strong empathic listening skills and developed good relationships with all campers and mentors.
Social Worker Intern
Anglicare SA
Hindmarsh, SA
03.2015 - 09.2015
- 500 hour practicum
- On placement I worked within the Recruitment, Training and Assessment team in Foster Care department of Anglicare SA
- Understood and promote the principals and values of foster care
- I have competently conducted strengths based assessments with foster care applicants through home visits
- Supported applicant family's skills and knowledge development and ensure applicant families have resources needed to meet the needs of children in their care
- Attended and contributed to various training programs and Foster Care staff
- Meetings
- Experience of conducting home visit, strong interview skills and completion of all supporting documentation.
Social Worker Intern
Save the Children, SA
, SA
08.2014 - 12.2014
- 510 hour practicum
- During this placement I worked with a multidisciplinary team in running Play schemes to provide regular learning activities and parenting support for vulnerable families and children under the six years old
- I worked alongside family support workers and applied a range of child care knowledge and skills in helping children begin their education journey while also providing parents with advice, skills and links to community support services
- I applied a range of social work knowledge and skills to help children without appropriate care including neglected and/or abused children, children in institutions or other forms of alternative care and child migrants (unaccompanied minors) and refugee children and their families
- I have experience of supporting Indigenous families and children through the playgroups
- I am also mindful of importance of food preparation in such settings
- Completed various child care and family support training courses
- Applied great communication skills amongst culturally and linguistically (CALD) diverse family groups
- I was able to assist with translation needs of Chinese speaking parents attending the groups
- Able to write observation reports and case notes independently.
Education
Master of Arts: Master of Social Work -
Flinders University
02.2016
Master of Arts: Master of International Communication -
Macquarie University
02.2014
Skills
- Evaluation and Assessment
- Crisis Intervention
- Trauma-informed therapy
- Strengths-based solution-focused therapy
- Efficient under pressure
- Analytical thinking
- Skilled community-based case manager
- Team collaboration
- Assessing needs
- Home visits
- Solution-based interventions
- Child welfare and protective services
Certification
AASW qualified social worker Certificate
Working with children check
Class C, Driver's License
Child safe Environments Certificate
Attachment and Loss Certificate of Attendance
Attachment and Trauma Certificate
Developing Respectful Service Responses in Working with Aboriginal People
Parenting Adolescents: Respond Rather Than React Certificate of Attendance
Languages
- Fluent in English and Mandarin
Timeline
Child Protection Worker
Department of Communities Child Protection and Family Support Services - Central Intake Team -SRRS
01.2024 - Current
Family Support Worker (OHC)
Wanslea
04.2023 - Current
Instructor Coordinator
Codekids Pty Ltd
08.2022 - 04.2023
Qualified Educator
Zig Zags OSHC
07.2021 - 07.2022
Marketing Manager
Wavecrest Tours Pyt Ltd
03.2017 - 03.2021
Social Worker
Child and Youth, Baptist care SA
03.2016 - 01.2017
Social Worker Intern
Anglicare SA
03.2015 - 09.2015
Social Worker
Anglicare SA
01.2015 - 01.2016
Social Worker Intern
Save the Children, SA
08.2014 - 12.2014
Master of Arts: Master of Social Work -
Flinders University
Master of Arts: Master of International Communication -
Macquarie University
AASW qualified social worker Certificate
Working with children check
Class C, Driver's License
Child safe Environments Certificate
Attachment and Loss Certificate of Attendance
Attachment and Trauma Certificate
Developing Respectful Service Responses in Working with Aboriginal People
Parenting Adolescents: Respond Rather Than React Certificate of Attendance
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