Vikki (Victoria) Watkins
Carrara,Australia
Summary
As a dynamic leader with over 25 years of experience in child protection across residential care, I have led multiple innovative projects that enhanced outcomes for vulnerable children, from reducing the number of children in care to improving outcomes and multi-disciplinary stakeholder engagement for young people in residential care. Expertise includes performance monitoring, providing legislative policy and practice advice on complex cases, and all aspects of the child protection continuum. This includes specialist areas of risk assessment, residential care, domestic and family violence, disability, and transition to adulthood.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Practice Leader
Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services – SE Region
Beenleigh, Qld
11.2014 - Current
- Providing evidence-based advice to Regional Directors, Managers, Team Leaders, Senior Practitioners and Child Safety Officers on complex practice matters to support the delivery of effective and quality child protection services.
- Providing leadership on strengthening practice and improving outcomes for children, young people, their families and communities.
- Providing strategic advice, coaching and mentoring to Senior Practitioners and other regional staff, to deliver a program of work with a focus on improving the quality of the casework and outcomes for children and young people in the child protection system.
- Leading the implementation of the Framework for Practice as part of an ongoing reform and renewal agenda.
- Managing multiple projects, for example:
- Project Safeguard – a multi-agency collaboration to improve outcomes for children in residential care. Successes to date include QPS reported an 88% reduction in missing persons reports, Education Queensland reported that 100% of young people referred to them for non-school attendance were re-engaged in education and one of the residential partner organisations reported a 47% decrease in police call outs and 60% decrease in serious behaviours over a one year period.
- 360 Group – a multi-agency initiative to improve outcomes for young people transitioning into adulthood and reduce the risk of homelessness which led to the creation of T2A (Transition to Adulthood) panels.
- Patricia Project – collaborated with David Mandel creator of the Safe and Together Institute and Griffith University on a national research project to analyse how well Child Safety staff identified and responded to Domestic and Family Violence.
- Writing and developing strategies, guidance and training to address unmet need, barriers to positive outcomes, eg Substance Use Strategy and training program on the use of inhalants; palliative care for children and young people in care, regional case transfer protocol and Standards of Care Strategy.
- Creating a regional student placement program which has now been adopted across the State of Queensland.
- Reviewing over 140 child death and serious injury matters for the region as part of the internal departmental process conducted under chapter 7A of the Child Protection Act 1999 to enable ongoing learning, promote the accountability of the department and improve the provision of service delivery to children and young people. Facilitating workshops with staff and stakeholders to encourage reflection, learning and practice improvement.
- Line management to Specialist Services staff – Specialist Services clinicians, Transition Officers, Project Safeguard Senior Child Safety Support Officers, and Domestic and Family Violence Child Protection (DFV) Child Protection Practitioners.
- Enhancing cross-sector participation and providing training, coaching, and mentoring for staff development.
- Having the lead role in the DFV portfolio for the region, championing the needs of children with disabilities and complex behaviors, and those transitioning from out-of-home care into adulthood.
- Analyzing performance data and providing evidence-based advice to senior staff on complex matters, as well as creating and implementing quality assurance mechanisms.
Social Worker at the Gold Coast University Hospital
Queensland Health
06.2014 - 11.2014
- Upon emigrating to Australia, I worked as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing crisis intervention, psychosocial assessments and counselling to patients and their families experiencing sudden death, trauma, major health crises, child protection and frail aged issues, homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault.
Group Manager – Case Management
Bridgend County Borough Council
Wales, United Kingdom
10.2010 - 04.2014
- Member of the Directorate’s Senior Management Team, working closely with other senior managers and the Head of Service, contributing to the improvement agenda, and encouraging and supporting innovation in service delivery.
- Having line management responsibility for all the frontline child protection teams which consisted of 60 staff – 5 managers, senior practitioners, social workers and social worker assistants. I was responsible for a multi-million £ budget for staffing and the support arrangements and placements for over 1000 children in out of home care and children in need of protection. I successfully advocated for an additional 10 staff during a period of austerity by demonstrating improved outcomes and effective budget management.
- Developing and reviewing strategies, policies and procedures and setting targets, priorities and quality standards. Working within the requirements of legislation and the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) in relation to performance and arrangements to safeguard children and young people. I monitored performance and implemented changes that resulted in the Authority having the top performance in over half the 51 key performance indicators across Local Authorities in South Wales and producing year on year improvements in performance.
- Ensured that systems, policies, procedures and practice guidance were in place for staff to support the identification, assessment and management of risk factors and the appropriate application of processes and procedures in relation to Children in Need, Child Protection and Looked After Children and Public and Private Child Care law matters.
- I wrote policies and practice guidance on a number of areas including how and when to bring children in to care, legal imperatives within Public and Private Care Proceedings, Special Guardianship and Residence Orders and a transfer protocol to identify how to transfer cases effectively within the service from referral through to long term intervention. I was also invited by the Welsh Government to provide expert advice for the revision of the Children Act.
- When I took over the service there was an over reliance on expensive agency staff and difficulties with recruitment and retention of staff. I succeeded in recruiting a full complement of staff and the use of agency staff ceased within a 2-year programme of change.
- I led a project to reduce the number of children in care being excluded and expelled from school. Over a 4 year period no child was expelled across 75 state primary and high schools.
- Performance management of 60 staff including the development of action plans for underperforming practitioners, overseeing the monitoring, support, dismissal procedures, appeals processes and tribunal hearings.
- Principal decision maker (as per the Public Law Outline) to decide whether thresholds were met for care proceedings to be instigated.
Principal Officer, Corporate Parenting
Bridgend County Borough Council
05.2009 - 09.2010
- Undertaking regular analysis of performance data and quality audits. Implemented systems and practice guidance to enable managers to achieve improved performance. I developed a culture of performance management that had previously not existed. The result was managers took responsibility for meeting targets and ensuring that assessments and statutory tasks were completed effectively and in a timely manner.
- Being a champion for children and young people in ‘Out of Home Care’ by ensuring their voice was heard. Provided advice, support and guidance to staff. I organised an annual event to celebrate the achievements of children in care whilst also promoting greater understanding and empathy about their needs to staff and dignitaries such as the First Minister for Wales (Head of the Welsh Government) and the Children’s Commissioner for Wales.
- Safely reduced the number of children in care through leading the Looked After Children Project within the Supporting Vulnerable Children programme. During an 18 month initiative the number of children in care reduced, and the number of children who progressed to adoption and the number of foster carers recruited to minimise the use of private sector placements both increased. All targets set by senior management were successfully met.
- Ensured permanency of placement for Looked After Children, as appropriate, through the development and implementation of a Permanency Policy which assisted staff’s understanding of permanency and ensured Looked After Children’s case planning did not drift.
- Contributed to the establishment of a Corporate Parenting Cabinet Committee and the development and implementation of the Local Authority’s corporate parenting policy in partnership with Members and Officers.
- Undertook inspections of the department’s residential care homes and commissioned placements from the private sector.
Manager of the Looked After Children Team
Bridgend County Borough Council
08.2005 - 09.2009
- Ensured prompt and appropriate decision making, allocation and prioritisation of work and the appropriate assessment of cases in a timely way with deployment to meet identified needs. When I initially took on this post the Department was subject to ‘Special Measures’ due to concerns by the Welsh Government about practice by the Referral and Assessment (intake and investigation) team. Whilst my area of service was not criticised, it was subject to regular external inspections as part of a whole of department monitoring. This created additional pressures for staff, but over a 4-year period I maintained 100% staff retention.
- Managed staff and undertook induction, supervision and appraisal. Provided support, advice and consultation to social workers and other support staff.
- Analysed performance information to assist timeliness of assessments, reviews and other formally reported performance. Ensured quality and content of assessments and plans in line with local and national guidance.
- Made decisions and judgements about risk of abuse within agreed management framework.
- Contributed to strategic/management meetings and effective multi-disciplinary and multi-agency meetings.
Residential Manager
Local Authority Children’s Home
12.2001 - 08.2005
- Fulfilled the role of the Registered Manager as per the Care Standards Act 2000.
- Provided leadership to the staff team to deliver a high-quality service and deploying staffing resources appropriately. Implemented the supervision and appraisal policy, provided advice and consultation to social work/support staff and identified and met staff developmental needs in relation to the objectives of the unit.
- Held the lead role in responding to audit and inspection procedures and ensuring the quality assurance measures were in place and adhered to. Managed and operated budgets within agreed policies and procedures.
- Engaged with multiple partners and parents to ensure the child’s health, education and wellbeing needs were met. Ensuring that the unit’s practices met a high standard, so that the child felt safe, cared for, and that the tasks outlined within their individual care plans were completed appropriately.
Senior Residential Social Worker
Local Authority Children’s Home
08.1999 - 12.2001
- Developed skills in direct work with young people with complex needs, including supporting them through disclosures of sexual abuse and giving evidence in criminal trials.
- Developed individual and group care programs to meet the needs of young people and ensure consistent approach adopted from all staff.
- Contributed to the supervision and development of staff and managing the home on a day to day basis in the absence of the Residential Manager.
Senior Support Officer
Cymdeithas Caer Las
Swansea and Bridgend, Wales
04.1995 - 09.1997
- Led a successful funding bid to Welsh government to create and manage a project for 35 young people leaving care to live independently with outreach support.
- Undertook direct work to support young people to manage their independence and tenancies positively.
- Provided leadership to staff to deliver a high-quality service that achieved successful outcomes for young people.
- Engaged and worked in partnership with other agencies to ensure health, education, employment, youth offending services and other needs of the young people were met.
Special Needs Teacher
Young Adult Institute
New York, USA
03.1994 - 12.1994
- Worked with adults with mild to severe developmental and learning disabilities in a community setting day centre. Assisted them with pre-vocational training and developing their personal awareness skills.
- Developed and implemented curriculum and behavioural goals. Initiated recreational trips promoting community integration. Assisted with daily living skills and facilitating individual / group counselling.
- Supervised and mentored Teacher Assistants. Provided crisis intervention to manage challenging and aggressive behaviour safely.
Education
Post Qualifying Award in Social Work - Child Care Award
University of Wales, Swansea
05.2003
Master of Arts in Social Work and Diploma in Social Work -
University of Wales, Bangor
07.1999
BSc Honours - Criminology
Teesside University
06.1993
Skills
- Over 25 years’ experience in leadership positions in frontline statutory child protection
- Project management and multi-agency collaboration
- Providing expert advice and support for complex cases
- Provide analysis of child death and critical injury cases to identify areas improvement and facilitate reflection workshops for Child Safety staff and external partners
- Report and policy writing
- Being innovative and solution-focused to develop new initiatives to address areas of need
- Developing and implementing processes, tools, and practice frameworks
- Policy writing
- Performance monitoring
- Project management
- Risk assessment
- Stakeholder engagement
- Innovation management
References
- Alicia, Kelly, Regional Director, Alicia.Kelly@cyjma.qld.gov.au, 07 3094 7047, 0460 002 776, Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services
- Belinda, Saal, Director of Quality Practice and Cultural Capability, belinda.saal@dcssds.qld.gov.au, 07 3097 0553, 0459 905 666, Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services
Hobbies and Interests
I enjoy hiking, riding horses, reading, live music, theatre and travelling.
Accomplishments
- 2021 – Project Safeguard received a Special Commendation in the Peak Care awards
- 2021 – Jointly authored an article about student placement program with academics from Griffith Uni, University of Queensland QUT which was published in the Australian Association of Social Work Journal
- 2020 – Project Safeguard was highly commended in the Queensland Child Protection Awards
- 2020 – Presented at the Australian and New Zealand Social Work and Welfare Education and Research (ANZSWWER) Virtual Symposium alongside colleagues from Griffith University, QUT and University of Queensland on the development of the statewide student placement program. I also co-authored an article with them about this program which was published in the Australian Association of Social Work Journal.
- 2016 – Received an award for services to Domestic and Family Violence from the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre (DVPC - Gold Coast).
- 2013 – I was one of 12 people across Wales to be invited to advise on the practical application of legislation within the draft of new Children’s Act.
- 2011 - I was commissioned by Community Care (the leading Social Work Journal in UK) to write an article entitled ‘Writing Effective Court Reports – A Guide for Social Workers.’
- 2011 - I developed an interactive practice guide and care pathways framework to provide interactive information to practitioners on all aspects of case management within statutory childcare social work so that they knew what processes to follow and how to complete the required documentation.
Affiliations
Prior to emigrating to Australia, I was a registered Social Worker with the Care Council of Wales. I am eligible for registration with the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Training
- Completed the full suite of training in relation to the Framework for Practice, including the Intensive Practice Module Series (consisting of 14 modules), Family Led Decision Making and Leading Practice workshops to deepen understanding and on-train the Department’s new Framework for Practice and its’ associated tools.
- Safe and Together – Core training
- Working with and Across Difference – understanding privilege
- Cultural Capability
- Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training for Professionals (TCI)
- Richard Rose – Attachment Trauma and Recovery; Life Story Work
- Leadership and Management Development Programme – Institute of Leadership and Management Development
- Management Development Programme – Institute of Public Care, Oxford Brookes University
- Bridgend Centre of Excellence - Project Management Practitioner Programme.
- I have delivered numerous training sessions to staff on legislation, good practice, policies, and procedures, as well as undertaking guest lectures at Griffith University on domestic and family violence and child protection
Timeline
Regional Practice Leader
Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services – SE Region
11.2014 - Current
Social Worker at the Gold Coast University Hospital
Queensland Health
06.2014 - 11.2014
Group Manager – Case Management
Bridgend County Borough Council
10.2010 - 04.2014
Principal Officer, Corporate Parenting
Bridgend County Borough Council
05.2009 - 09.2010
Manager of the Looked After Children Team
Bridgend County Borough Council
08.2005 - 09.2009
Residential Manager
Local Authority Children’s Home
12.2001 - 08.2005
Senior Residential Social Worker
Local Authority Children’s Home
08.1999 - 12.2001
Senior Support Officer
Cymdeithas Caer Las
04.1995 - 09.1997
Special Needs Teacher
Young Adult Institute
03.1994 - 12.1994
Post Qualifying Award in Social Work - Child Care Award
University of Wales, Swansea
Master of Arts in Social Work and Diploma in Social Work -
University of Wales, Bangor
BSc Honours - Criminology
Teesside University
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