LENTE STEYN-VAN ROOYEN
Midrand
Summary
Passionate and experienced Social Worker with demonstrated skills in child protection, adoption and counseling services.
Seeking a challenging and fulfilling role where extensive skills, knowledge and experience can be utilized to provide culturally competent social work services to vulnerable populations and positively impact the lives of individuals and families.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Co-Owner / Child Development and Family Liaison Manager
Kya-Kids Creche
09.2018 - Current
- Served as a liaison between families and school personnel, facilitating open lines of communication to enhance student outcomes.
- Coordinated services for families in need, connecting them with appropriate community resources and support systems.
- Provided referrals to other professionals and social services where required
- Developed comprehensive action plans for addressing family concerns, improving overall satisfaction with the school experience.
- Established trusting relationships with families from diverse backgrounds by demonstrating empathy and cultural sensitivity.
- Maintained accurate records of family interactions, ensuring timely follow-up on outstanding issues or concerns.
- Contributed to increased parent participation in school events through consistent communication via newsletters, emails, phone calls, or text messages.
- Assisted struggling students by collaborating with teachers to identify additional resources tailored to individual needs.
- Provided support and guidance to parents on their child's developmental needs
- Developed stimulating and engaging activities and programs for different age groups
- Supported parents in developing effective solutions to managing difficult behavior their child displays
- Daily management tasks including marketing, finances and invoicing, policy development and staff management
Social Worker / Counsellor
Procare Psycho-Social Services
06.2013 - 05.2018
- Enhanced family matching success by conducting thorough assessments and evaluations of prospective adoptive families.
- Ensured child welfare by performing comprehensive home studies and post-placement supervision visits.
- Expedited the adoption process by guiding families through necessary paperwork and legal requirements
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and policies affecting adoptions in assigned jurisdictions
- Provided Employee Wellness Counseling services to contracted corporate clients
- Provided case management services, counseling, education and life-skills training to diverse, at-risk student population at contracted schools
- Provided crisis intervention and trauma debriefing for clients through a 24-hour crisis helpline
Social Worker
New Beginningz Place of Safety
10.2012 - 06.2013
- Improved children's well-being by conducting regular individual assessments and creating personalized care plans.
- Ensured a safe living environment for children through vigilant supervision and adherence to established protocols.
- Organized recreational activities that promoted social interaction and emotional well-being among children
- Ensured timely intervention in crisis situations, coordinating with emergency services and other professionals as needed.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of child safety, identifying areas of concern and implementing appropriate interventions.
- Collaborated with medical providers to ensure optimal physical health outcomes for children in care or under supervision.
- Planned, promoted and managed parent visits / contact sessions
- Contributed to court proceedings, advocating for the child's best interests and recommending balanced solutions.
- Assisted in the development and implementation of community projects designed to address specific community issues.
Student Relations Coordinator
Rosebank College Braamfontein
02.2012 - 10.2012
- Provided case management services, counseling, education and life-skills training to diverse, at-risk student population.
- Enhanced student well-being by providing individual and group counseling sessions addressing various social, emotional, and behavioral issues.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to develop intervention strategies for students in need of additional support.
- Managed Student Liaison Body (SLB) to ensure that all college related issues experienced by students are noted and addressed timeous and as effectively as possible by Management
- Implemented evidence-based programs aimed at improving school climate and promoting positive behavior among students.
- Enhanced cultural competence among college staff by providing training on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Social Worker
Buckinghamshire County Council, UK
06.2009 - 09.2011
- Conducted home visits to assess family dynamics, providing guidance on effective communication strategies and conflict resolution techniques.
- Ensured timely intervention in crisis situations, coordinating with emergency services and other professionals as needed.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of child safety, identifying areas of concern and implementing appropriate interventions.
- Reduced risk factors for child abuse and neglect by implementing evidence-based interventions and programs.
- Improved children's well-being by developing individualized care plans and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams.
- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
- Maintained accurate case documentation, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and facilitating informed decision-making by team members.
- Advocated for children''s best interests in court proceedings, presenting case findings and recommendations to judges and legal representatives.
- Compiled 6 monthly progress reports for the Reviewing Officer to evaluate effectiveness of the current care plan
- Facilitated smoother transitions between foster homes, ensuring proper documentation and communication among stakeholders.
- Supported successful reunification effort by facilitating family counseling sessions that addressed underlying issues impacting the household dynamics.
Social Work Assistant
One Step At A Time Mother And Baby Unit, UK
12.2008 - 06.2009
- Completed comprehensive psychosocial evaluations for new residents to identify needs and strengths.
- Assisted social workers in managing caseloads, ensuring timely service delivery to clients.
- Established rapport with clients through empathetic listening and effective communication skills.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop holistic care plans addressing clients'' physical, emotional, and social needs.
- Maintained thorough documentation of client interactions, progress towards goals, and relevant case notes.
- Coordinated referrals to community services to help clients obtain needed support.
- Detailed residents' medical and social needs for personnel and arranged for appropriate services.
- Managed residential discharges for facility and coordinated after-care activities.
Project Worker
The Old Rectory / The Old Hall, UK
10.2007 - 12.2008
- Maintained a clean and safe living environment for all residents, ensuring their wellbeing.
- Assisted residents with daily living tasks, promoting independence and dignity.
- Developed trust-based relationships with residents by actively listening to their concerns and demonstrating genuine interest in their lives.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to develop personalized care plans for each resident.
Student Relations Manager
Rosebank College Pretoria
08.2007 - 05.2008
- Provided case management services, counseling, education and life-skills training to diverse, at-risk student population.
- Enhanced student well-being by providing individual and group counseling sessions addressing various social, emotional, and behavioral issues.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to develop intervention strategies for students in need of additional support.
- Managed the Student Liaison Body (SLB) to ensure that all college related issues experienced by students are noted and addressed timeous and as effectively as possible by Management
- Implemented evidence-based programs aimed at improving school climate and promoting positive behavior among students.
- Enhanced cultural competence among college staff by providing training on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Social Worker
South African Women's Federation
02.2006 - 08.2007
- Provided crisis counseling and intervention services to clients in emergency situations.
- Conducted home visits to assess clients' home environment and provide support.
- Developed and implemented individualized treatment plans for clients.
- Utilized evidence-based practices to provide effective interventions for clients.
- Maintained regular contact with clients by calling and visiting clients' homes.
- Maintained accurate case documentation, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and facilitating informed decision-making by team members.
- Statutory services and compilation of court reports
- Collaborated with foster parents to ensure appropriate placement, resulting in improved stability for children in care.
- Facilitated reunification efforts by coordinating visits, communication, and support services between biological families and foster families.
Education
Professional Development
BSOC SCI: SOCIAL WORK - Social Work
UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA
South Africa11.2004
GRADE 12 -
HOËRSKOOL GRENSWAG
South Africa12.1999
Skills
- Case Management
- Child Development
- Strength-based interventions
- Court Hearings
- Individual and Group Counseling
- Cultural Competency
- Child Protection Services
- Client Needs Assessment
- Crisis Intervention
- Resilience
- Empathic
- Reliability
References
- Elsabe Engelbrecht, CEO, Procare – Head Office, 083 305 5095 / elsabe@procare.co.za
- Helen Ralls, Social Worker, Buckinghamshire County Council, UK, +44 07 842 848 199 / hjralls@gmail.com
Professional Registration
Social Work Registration Board New Zealand (SWRB)
Registration Nr 1539402
South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP)
Registration Nr 10-24092
Timeline
Co-Owner / Child Development and Family Liaison Manager
Kya-Kids Creche
09.2018 - Current
Social Worker / Counsellor
Procare Psycho-Social Services
06.2013 - 05.2018
Social Worker
New Beginningz Place of Safety
10.2012 - 06.2013
Student Relations Coordinator
Rosebank College Braamfontein
02.2012 - 10.2012
Social Worker
Buckinghamshire County Council, UK
06.2009 - 09.2011
Social Work Assistant
One Step At A Time Mother And Baby Unit, UK
12.2008 - 06.2009
Project Worker
The Old Rectory / The Old Hall, UK
10.2007 - 12.2008
Student Relations Manager
Rosebank College Pretoria
08.2007 - 05.2008
Social Worker
South African Women's Federation
02.2006 - 08.2007
Professional Development
BSOC SCI: SOCIAL WORK - Social Work
UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA
GRADE 12 -
HOËRSKOOL GRENSWAG
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