Lynette Mthembu
Social Work In Private Practice
Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal
Summary
Invested Social Worker dedicated to forming trusting relationships and advocating for best interest of clients. Expertise in EAP, I provide Employees Assistance Program Services . Respectful and compassionate professional offering 17-year background serving community by providing guidance for clients in need.
Experienced social work professional prepared for this role. Skilled in case management, crisis intervention, and client advocacy. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results, with flexibility to adapt to changing needs. Known for empathy, reliability, and effective communication, ensuring comprehensive support for diverse populations.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Social Worker in Private Prictice
Self Employed and Freelance Position
05.2018 - Current
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness, and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
Senior Social Worker in Private Practice
Self-employed and Freelance Position
05.2018 - Current
- Mentored junior social workers, enhancing their professional development and skills growth.
- Interviewed clients, families, or groups to assess situations, limitations and issues and implement services to address needs.
- Helped clients with recognizing and managing mental health concerns through evidence-based interventions.
- Monitored clients' progress and adapted treatment plans to meet changing needs.
- De-escalated stressful situations through individual and family crisis interventions.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions to build supportive, communicative client networks.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with community resources for successful referrals.
- Maintained regular contact with clients by calling and visiting clients' homes.
- Coordinated external healthcare professionals to uphold high-quality, person-centred care.
- Assisted clients in developing and setting realistic goals to promote positive change.
- Provided crisis counseling and intervention services to clients in emergency situations.
- Monitored clients' progress to adjust treatment plans accordingly.
- Conducted home visits to assess clients' home environment and provide support.
- Documented client progress and activities in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
- Assisted clients in identifying community resources and connecting with appropriate services.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to coordinate care for clients.
- Evaluated clients' social, emotional and psychological needs to create treatment plans.
Senior Social Worker
Childline KZN and Childline SA
07.2009 - 04.2018
- Mentored junior social workers, Auxiliary social workers and trauma counselors who works at the local Thuthuzela Care Centres, enhancing their professional development and skills growth.
- Advocated on behalf of vulnerable individuals in court proceedings, contributing to fair outcomes aligned with client interests.
- Developed culturally sensitive programs to address the unique challenges faced by diverse populations within the community.
- Facilitated support groups that fostered peer connections, emotional healing, and skill-building opportunities among participants.
- Secured funding for vital programs through grant writing and fundraising efforts, expanding available resources for clients.
- Enhanced community resources for clients through collaboration with local agencies and organizations.
- Led multidisciplinary team meetings to review client progress and adjust treatment plans as needed.
- Promoted family reunification through effective case management and advocacy efforts.
- Conducted home visits to assess living environment and facilitate access to necessary resources.
- Provided crisis intervention services to clients, addressing immediate needs and ensuring safety.
- Helped clients develop new coping mechanisms and techniques to drive behavior modification.
- Updated client documentation for accurate, compliant and current records.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to create holistic care plans addressing physical, mental, emotional, and social needs of clients.
- Strengthened interagency partnerships by regularly attending meetings and sharing information, resulting in improved service delivery for clients.
- Conducted home visits to assess living conditions and provide personalized support for families in need.
- Improved client outcomes by conducting comprehensive assessments and developing individualized treatment plans.
Social Worker
Durban Child Welfare Society
06.2008 - 06.2009
- Supported clients and families with empathy and compassion during difficult times.
- Educated families on available community resources, connecting them with essential services such as housing assistance, financial aid, or healthcare providers.
- Advocated for clients'' rights, navigating complex systems to secure necessary resources and benefits.
- Conducted home visits to assess family dynamics, providing guidance on effective communication strategies and conflict resolution techniques.
- conduct statutory work related to the placement of children in safety places and families facilities.
Social Work
St. Vincent Children's Home
01.2007 - 06.2008
- Assisted in research projects aimed at improving social work practices for better client outcomes.
- Contributed to departmental goals setting process by analyzing current trends in social work practice and identifying areas for growth or enhancement.
- Provided social work services, individual, and family therapy and referrals.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within the field of clinical social work.
- conducting individual therapy and counseling to children and staff support, rendering group facilitation and community preventative programs and Statutory work and reintegration of children to their families and foster families.
Education
Post Graduate Certificate in Education- Foundation - Humanities'
University of KwaZulu Natal- Edgewood College
Durban, South Africa 04.2001 -
Skills
Mental health counseling
Clinical assessment
Suicide risk assessment
Psychosocial assessments
Client advocacy
Family therapy
Elder care
Individual counseling
Discharge planning
Multidisciplinary collaboration
Grief counseling
Child welfare expertise
Parenting education
Assessment skills
Client confidentiality
Solution-based interventions
Social services
Treatment Planning
Family case management
Capacity building
Life skills counseling
Intervention planning
Timeline
Senior Social Worker in Private Prictice
Self Employed and Freelance Position
05.2018 - Current
Senior Social Worker in Private Practice
Self-employed and Freelance Position
05.2018 - Current
Senior Social Worker
Childline KZN and Childline SA
07.2009 - 04.2018
Social Worker
Durban Child Welfare Society
06.2008 - 06.2009
Social Work
St. Vincent Children's Home
01.2007 - 06.2008
Post Graduate Certificate in Education- Foundation - Humanities'
University of KwaZulu Natal- Edgewood College
04.2001 -
references
Mrs. Nombuso Mpanza
Thuthuzela Care Centre
Site Coordinator (R. K. Khan Hospital)
031 401 0394
079 987 5819
Mrs Mitchell Scharnick
The Jes Foord Foundation (Counselling Psychologist)
Freelance position Supervisor
073 384 5608
scharnickmr@gmail.com
mich.rene@yahoo.com