Virginia Wilson 

GENERAL WORK CAREER EXPERIENCE

• Held many casework positions  Worked extensively with children, youth and families from all different cultural backgrounds , and different challenging behaviors .   Was extensively trained to work with families of  Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and other cultural backgrounds, as well as those with disabilities, mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, suicide prevention, and other social issues.  During front line caseworker roles  responsible for assessment and supervision of out of home care placement ,transport of children/youth in care to visit their parents, including those being held in custody.  Held delegation as the primary legal guardian for children, youth while in the care of the Director General. This involved youth in custody facilities. As a Caseworker when Youth Workers went on strike or short staffed. Filled in shifts at some of the Departments custodial facilities.  Assessed potential carers for foster care and kinship care placements.  Assessments also included families for ongoing care of children their own children, or potential adoptions.  Performed as Duty Officer (Local based Call Centre)  on a roster taking intake calls, assess and record.    Was involved in assessment and support for families under the departments Disaster Welfare program.

• Counselling and referral provided for Families, Parents, Children with special needs  {Performed in various roles}

• Was involved in corporate discussions, consultation for the design and implementation of new government recruitment process, evaluations of positions descriptions and public sector grade determination. 

• In Policy Development my experience includes human resource, child protection, child deaths reviews and associated, youth services, OH & S, performance planning and review, position descriptions and evaluations, review of government computer reporting systems, children services, psychological services, operational and accounting computer systems,  

• In Industrial Relations experience includes media and press releases, interviews with television, radio and newspapers as organisation representative, and regular preparation of newsletters. Preparation of evidence for the Industrial Relations Commission was also performed.

• Monitor government funded services included panel selection for new funding. Experience in the development of different services funded under a number of government programs. Planning, chair, secretary tasks presentation at community forums was also performed. The monitor of services contracts against performance outcomes as well as financial accountability.  

• Supervision of staff and students.  Experience includes office supervisor, acting manager caseworker, supervision of social work students as well as supervision of primary and high school students.  

• Administration, inclusive of accounting, bookkeeping, financial management ,typing over 90 words per minute. Use of shared diaries, and member of audit team. Quality of preparation, presentation of documents, including power point. Use of Word, spreadsheets and various government recording and reporting computer systems.  

• Communication The Preparation of briefings for senior executive, minister. parliament, company directors, local government councillors, school principal and deputy principal, oversight bodies, court evidence and reporting.  Intake and assessment of child protection notifications, proposed adoptions, or potential foster carer assessments.  The maintenance of successful relationship with stakeholders,clients, service providers, staff, executive, company directors,and others.  

• Social research planning and implementation   The research of stats through government census data local government and other websites. Prepared briefings with comparisons and made recommendations for services and funding.  

• EVENTS ORGANISATION Extensive experience in the organization of events.  In particular in the role at Blacktown Council and Family and Community Services.    Worked in the Community Service Section at Blacktown Council.  In that team  was active in planning and implementation of Councils events.    Was also active in events for a number of local community services in that LGA.    While working for Family and Community Services,  was also active in the planning and implementation of many community events for funded services on my management list.  Often chaired community forums following the planning process and responsibility for the oversight of contracts for millions of dollars to local community services as Community Program Officer for Family and Community Services.  This included review of results against contracts in operations and reporting on their financial statements.   Have extensive experience in bookkeeping and accounting process some time ago.   While working for the Department of Education NSW and The Infants Home was also involved in planning and implementation of community events for the schools as well as local community groups.    While Acting Industrial Officer for the Public Service Association also had a team role for the organization of events.