Suzanne Clarke
Baden,ON
Summary
Experienced professional with a strong background in child protection practice, leadership, staff growth and development. Consistently delivers impactful strategies to enhance the implementation of best practices and foster meaningful engagement between staff, children, families and kin. Recognized for exceptional collaboration, consultation, and facilitation skills, with a dedicated focus on ensuring child safety and building strong family and community partnerships.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager of Practice Development
Family& Children's Service of Guelph
04.2020 - Current
- Demonstrated skills in the clinical supervision of a team of FSW Mentors in managing complex child protection cases
- Responsible for hiring and onboarding of all new FSW staff at the Agency and supporting them through new worker authorization
- Implementation and development of best practices in the areas of risk assessment and safety planning using the SOS framework into service delivery
- Collaboration with Service Directors and Managers in the organizational implementation and integration of Signs of Safety, Ministry Standards, DEI, TRC and Trauma Informed Practice
- Facilitation skills in leading case conferences, case consultation and family network meetings
Family and Community Services Manager
F&CS of Guelph and Wellington County
12.2015 - 01.2020
- Demonstrated skills in leading, supervising and developing a professional team of Family Services Workers
- Responsible for the selection and orientation of new staff, ongoing coaching and performance management, team building and clinical supervision
- Knowledge in child protection investigations and ongoing interventions with families for the purpose of reducing risk to children and building family and community capacity
- Facilitated case conferences, shared service meetings and family network meetings with agency staff, families and community partners
Family Service Worker
Family & Children's Services of Guelph and Wellington County
09.2007 - 12.2015
- Investigated concerns regarding suspected child abuse as defined under the Child & Family Service Act, including areas of sexual and physical abuse, neglect and parental capacity
- Provided assessments and child protection interventions with families and children for the purpose of reducing risk to children, safety planning and building on family strengths
- Provided protection services to clients including the apprehension of children when necessary, presenting matters before the court and the reintegration of children into families and kinship arrangements
Afterhours Supervisor
Family & Children's Services of Guelph and Wellington County
07.2012 - 07.2013
- Demonstrated skills in leading the ongoing development and coordination of the afterhours program for the agency
- Supervised and led the afterhours team regarding performance management, clinical supervision and team building
- Collaborated with all agency departments to ensure best practice delivery for families and children
- Provided consultations on new referrals, 12 hour response and safety planning, foster parent/ youth in care support
Family Service Worker
The Huron-Perth Children's Aid Society
05.2002 - 09.2007
- Investigated concerns regarding suspected child abuse as defined under the Child & Family Service Act, including areas of sexual/physical abuse, neglect & parent capacity
- Provided ongoing protection services to clients including the apprehension of children when necessary, presenting matters before the court and the reintegration of children into the family home
MSW Intern
KW Counseling
06.2010 - 09.2010
- Provided therapeutic counseling to individuals, couples and families regarding various social issues
BSW Intern
Health and Community Services
01.2002 - 04.2002
- Provided supportive counseling and residential support for youth and their families
BSW Intern
Health Care Corporation St. John's
09.2000 - 12.2000
- Provided supportive and adjustment counseling for clients with various psychiatric illnesses within a psychiatric hospital and outpatient (community) settings
Education
Master of Social Work -
Memorial University of Newfoundland
10.2010
Bachelor of Social Work -
Memorial University of Newfoundland
04.2002
Skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Strong assessment, interviewing, facilitation and training skills
- Strong clinical skills regarding issues facing families, children, youth and kin
- Strong performance management and practice development
- Leadership skills in Signs of Safety Implementation and Practice
- Skills and values in Equity, Truth and Reconciliation and community based practice
- Extensive child protection knowledge in the areas of family services and kinship service
- Committee work with the 2SLGTBQ and Indigenous Community
- Computer skills (Word Processing Packages, CWIS, CPIN)
Timeline
Manager of Practice Development
Family& Children's Service of Guelph
04.2020 - Current
Family and Community Services Manager
F&CS of Guelph and Wellington County
12.2015 - 01.2020
Afterhours Supervisor
Family & Children's Services of Guelph and Wellington County
07.2012 - 07.2013
MSW Intern
KW Counseling
06.2010 - 09.2010
Family Service Worker
Family & Children's Services of Guelph and Wellington County
09.2007 - 12.2015
Family Service Worker
The Huron-Perth Children's Aid Society
05.2002 - 09.2007
BSW Intern
Health and Community Services
01.2002 - 04.2002
BSW Intern
Health Care Corporation St. John's
09.2000 - 12.2000
Master of Social Work -
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Bachelor of Social Work -
Memorial University of Newfoundland
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