SOCIALWORK & HUMAN SERVICES PRACTITIONER

 

LISTEN - ACKNOWLEDGE - RESPOND

Connormac Services is currently a sole operator business. I have worked with many people in diverse roles, predominantly within areas of child protection. I have counselled / worked within the homelessness sector with women and children impacted by domestic and family violence and in Re-unification services including child development, attachment, walking the line between empowering individuals and protecting those most vulnerable in the community, children. Counselling skills gained through previous university study and 'on the job' experience, has built an inclusive, non-judgmental approach. In those roles, I have had success through empowering individuals to secure a way forward.

 

I will work firstly to build trust and to find creative ways that build skills, knowledge and self-confidence.

 

COUNSELLING / CONVERSATION

DOMESTIC and FAMILY VIOLENCE

 

The following are areas where I have built counselling knowledge and skills. I have established and built up a mental health program for new parents in a community development role that has been running successfully now for eight years. 

Another role includes the Re-unification process, working with parents in assessing their capacity to provide the nurturing and caring environment that children need to grow securely. Counselling skills and knowledge have enabled me to tread the line between assessment of ability and the building of skills and confidence in individuals to parent, or not.

Further, I have spent five very successful years in the homelessness sector and dealt with issues of Domestic and Family Violence, reduced Mental Health and potential suicidal situations. I have across many cultures, seeking always to understand and be inclusive. In those situations, my counselling skills and knowledge have provided a platform on which to build a solid intervention. 

 

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Connormac services is a private social work / human services business that provides a service to individuals and families across the broad field of human need including for men where violence or the thoughts of violence are impacting their lives, and to assist with building strong but caring individuals and relationships. Trust is key to every relationship including the professional relationship, and to build trust with people requires listening without judgement. In previous roles I have been able to give people the time they need to understand opportunity. I have worked with many and a diverse range of people seeking to understand their feelings and thoughts, why they may do what they do and how to build a better life for themselves as individuals and potentially their families should that be the case. I understand and honor difference from a cultural sense. At one time when working for an agency, a young Aboriginal man was allocated to me. As it turned out, he had a partner and 2 children. She was homeless and surfing with family. There was violence between he and his partner and his mental health was poor. He was living with his father. I was unable to assist him but she requested help through the agency to move. To cut a long story short, I was able to advocate strongly and to get her housed. I want to highlight the importance of listening here without going into detail. We worked together for a few months and in which time I found a home for her and the children. Listening and providing time which stretched the relationship with the team manager, but ultimately led to her being able to turn things around, commencing studies at TAFE, then university and returning to community. I know this because, sometime after she exited the agency, we met through an elder and she told me of the difference I had made. 

 

REGISTRATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

Bachelor Social Science / Human Service.

Certificate III in Individual Support.

All registrations, insurances, child protection approvals are current.

LIST: First Aid, National Criminal History Check, Registered with DECD,

Current member of the Australian Community Workers Assoc (ACWA).

Cultural training, Mental Health First Aid, Domestic and Family Violence.

 

AWARDS and GOALS

AWARD - 'Best Homelessness Service - 2014'.

For further information and inquiries, contact connormac1922@outlook.com

Telephone 0405 0407 97.

 

MICHAEL O’CONNOR