CATHERINE ODESANYA
Halifax,NS
Summary
Compassionate social worker with over two years of experience working with women and children. Skilled at managing multiple cases with great attention to detail and knowledge of local resources. Known for providing caring and comprehensive support to families and children, acquiring new skills and adding value to any organization of which I’m a part of.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Child Protection Social Worker
Department of Community Services (Child Protection)
Halifax
10.2023 - Current
- Assessing child protection concerns and working with families and communities to address them
- Collaborating with and supporting individuals and families
- Planning and developing case plans with families
- Working closely with the community and advocating for connections to community resources
- Participating in risk assessments, court testimonies, and evaluations
- Planning with and supervising children in care of the Minister
- Developed case plans and service agreements that outlined goals and objectives for each family member.
- Maintained detailed records of all client interactions including notes, reports, assessments, court documents.
- Collaborated with community partners such as law enforcement, schools, and health care providers to ensure the best outcomes for clients.
Student Social Worker
Department of Community Services (Child Protection)
Halifax, NS
04.2023 - Current
- Referred patients to community resources for mental health treatment, child protective services and assistance for people with developmental disabilities.
- Coordinated mental health assessments for children, adolescents and adults receiving child welfare and prevention services.
- Maintained lists of resources helpful to clients.
- Interviewed clients individually and in family groups to determine services to best address specific needs.
- Supported social worker with client case management services.
- Attended meetings, training, conferences and seminars to advance professional knowledge.
- Composed or prepared correspondence, case notes and narratives with computer-based applications.
- Used active listening skills and supportive diction to cultivate client rapport and open communication.
Smaland Co-worker
IKEA, Halifax Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS
11.2022 - Current
- Responsible for registering, assisting and supervising registered children
- Ensure the environment is playful and fun
- Developed and enforced positive strategies to encourage good behavior.
- Managed crafts and other hands-on activities to engage kids and promote development.
- Enforced rules to teach good manners and maintain safe environment.
- Always actively participating in the children’s safety and security
- Advise all children of the Smaland rules and policies while their parents are present and ensure parents are aware of all Smaland policies and rules
- Maintain supplies and ensure work area is kept clean and hazard-free
- Observed behavioral issues to alert parents or guardians.
- Assist in other duties as required by direct line Leader
Exchange and Returns Co-worker
IKEA, Halifax Nova
Halifax, NS
09.2021 - Current
- Actively listening and identifying customer needs, processing transactions according to IKEA returns and exchange policies, and handle cash according to IKEA policy
- Maintaining an ongoing awareness of daily and weekly service/delivery targets
- Ensuring that our stock accuracy and inventory integrity is maintained by meticulously following Returns/Exchange policies and routines
- Staying current with product knowledge, in-store and online specials, any updates on returns and exchange policies, and having a good awareness of all Customer Relations action plans
- Assisting team members with additional duties, as required
Voluntary Worker
Advocacy for Widows Empowerment Foundation
Lagos, Nigeria
10.2019 - 08.2021
- Participation in community outreach
- Supporting residents with daily activities of living
- Organizing files and documents
- Taking minutes of meetings
- Built and maintained strong relationships with patients by successfully resolving issues and responding promptly to phone inquiries.
- Made referrals to utilize community resources for resident's needs.
- Built partnerships with related organizations to develop support and gain greater attention for important issues.
- Connected individuals with relevant community resources and coordinated referrals.
Deli Worker
Bigfork Harvest Foods
Montana, United States
06.2019 - 09.2019
- Helping customers at the counter with hot foods, salads, sliced meats and cheese
- Preparation of hot and cold food and beverages
- Worked with customers placing large or specialized orders, providing samples and recommendations and responding to requests.
- Assessed customer needs, evaluated food allergies and suggested additional menu items as appropriate.
- Completed orders by slicing, weighing, packaging and pricing meats and cheeses.
- Answered telephone inquiries about available menu items, products and services and delivered appropriate information so customers could make valid choices.
Summer Intern
Idowu Sofola & co, Ereke Chambers
Lagos, Nigeria
05.2017 - 08.2017
- Reviewing client files and making recommendations to the appropriate partners
- Attending court sessions as an observer, when matters were being deliberated on
- Secretary to the weekly staff meetings were a report was given by each partner
- Drafting contract agreements for clients
- Responded to information quests, documented messages and noted particular issues needing further attention.
- Performed extensive research to prepare for court cases and gathered pertinent case information.
- Responded to client calls and inquiries to deliver applicable information.
Education
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
Dalhousie University
Halifax, NS10.2023
Bachelor of Law - Law
Babcock University
Nigeria06.2019
Skills
- CPR, First Aid, AED
- Case Documentation
- Cultural Competency
- Family Case Management
- MS Office
- Trauma-Informed Therapy
- Relationship Building and Rapport
- Research
- Case Management
- Correspondence Writing
- Contract Review
- Legal Documentation
References
Referees: Available on request.
Interests
Article Writing, Painting, Yoga, Chess, Swimming, Volunteer work.
Timeline
Child Protection Social Worker
Department of Community Services (Child Protection)
10.2023 - Current
Student Social Worker
Department of Community Services (Child Protection)
04.2023 - Current
Smaland Co-worker
IKEA, Halifax Nova Scotia
11.2022 - Current
Exchange and Returns Co-worker
IKEA, Halifax Nova
09.2021 - Current
Voluntary Worker
Advocacy for Widows Empowerment Foundation
10.2019 - 08.2021
Deli Worker
Bigfork Harvest Foods
06.2019 - 09.2019
Summer Intern
Idowu Sofola & co, Ereke Chambers
05.2017 - 08.2017
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
Dalhousie University
Bachelor of Law - Law
Babcock University
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