Dianne Schembri
Derby District School
Derby
1
Certification
15
years of professional experience
Positive, well organised and resourceful Educator/Family Worker with over 25 years experience in community and education settings. Adept at working effectively with individuals who have complex needs and very experienced in working with people from diverse backgrounds. Highly skilled at developing positive relationships with children/young people, families, colleagues and partner agencies. Motivated, efficient and a quick learner.
Work History
Education Assistant, Special Needs
4 Months- Supported individualised education plans for First Nation students with special needs, enhancing their learning experiences.
- Collaborated with teachers to develop adaptive materials tailored to diverse learning styles including a multiage setting with students aged 6 - 17.
- Assisted in implementing behavior management strategies to promote positive student engagement.
- Monitored student progress and provided constructive feedback to educators and parents.
Project Facilitator-Early Childhood Education/Care
1 Year 6 Months- Facilitation of high quality playgroups in a remote setting.
- Mentoring of Community Facilitators in all aspects of best practice Early Childhood Education and Care.
- Capacity building of the local community with a view to transitioning the program to community control.
- Collaboration with Paediatric Dietician to run regular cooking and nutrition sessions.
- Implementation of the 3A program to ensure that babies and children are meeting all of their developmental milestones and are ready for school.
- Organisation of special events such as pop-up playgroups, bush trips and multi generational celebrations.
- Liaison with all stakeholders including school, funding bodies and local council.
- Collection, entry and reporting of accurate data.
- Creation of resources and newsletters.
- Coordinated stakeholder meetings, fostering relationships between communities and organisational partners.
Family Support Worker
1 Year 9 Months- Implemented developmentally and culturally appropriate play based activities for children, creating positive, and safe environments.
- Coordinated wrap-around supports for vulnerable families.
- Established positive relationships with children and families.
- Supported families to overcome barriers to accessing Early Childhood Education.
- Created safe and nurturing learning environment for preschoolers.
- Exceeded targets in engaging over 30 target families in playgroup and other programs.
- Facilitated family engagement through effective communication and support strategies.
- Conducted assessments to identify family needs and develop appropriate support services.
- Provided crisis intervention and conflict resolution to ensure safety and well-being of families.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance service delivery and outcomes for families.
- Connected families with community resources such as housing assistance, financial aid programs, and educational opportunities.
Program Coordinator
1 Year 1 Month- Coordination of the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY)
- Intake, assessment and referral of eligible participants.
- Engaged and retained over 20 Bundjalung families as participants in the program.
- Trained and supported three Bundjalung Family Mentors and facilitated pathways to future employment/education.
- Scheduled and supervised staff meetings to discuss new ideas and update participants on program details and milestones.
- Designed program implementation and maintenance plan to suit conditions post our catastrophic flood event.
- Interviewed individuals and families to assess needs and provide informational resources.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
- Planned and facilitated a team trip to Darwin to meet with colleagues and workshop ways of adapting the HIPPY program to be culturally safe and trauma informed.
Family Support Worker
1 Year- Facilitated positive Family Time visits for children/young people and their families.
- Safely transported children/young people to appointments, respite and Family Time visits.
- Mentored children/young people in their own homes and out in the community.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Therapeutic support for children/young people, families and carers.
- Collaborated with community program leaders and advocates to make resources accessible to those in need.
- Reported child abuse in accordance with legal standards of mandatory reporters.
Family Engagement/ Youth & Practice Support Worker
1 Year 8 Months- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records
- Provided transport, supervision, support and care during scheduled family time with birth parents and other family members
- Mentored and tutored young people in order to enhance educational and social outcomes
- Overnight and day care of children/young people in alternative care arrangements and in-home respite
- Applied Therapeutic Crisis Intervention strategies to situations as needed
- Collaborated with Case Workers, Educators and Behaviour Specialists and Carers in order to provide optimal care
- Supported Case Workers by attending home visits, case reviews, multidisciplinary meetings and completing required documentation
- Completed and submitted NDIS access requests, birth certificate/passport applications, authority to travel approvals and police checks
- Performed the role of Acting Family Engagement and Supervision Manager when manager was on leave . Duties included rostering and allocations
Disability Support Worker
9 Months- Offered social support by transporting individuals to events and activities, in addition to medical appointments and shopping trips.
- Assisted clients with daily living needs, including bathing and personal grooming, to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
- Actively supported communication, therapy and life goals
- Provided support and referral for families.
- Consulted with allied health professions to assess cases and enhance care.
- Developed strong interpersonal relationships with clients, earning their trust and respect through consistent empathy and understanding.
Early Childhood Support Worker /Playgroup Coordinator
1 Year 4 Months- Collaborated on strategies to enhance student learning and behaviour alongside parents, educators and therapists.
- Facilitation of a playgroup specifically targeting First Nations families who have a child with additional needs.
- Creation of communication and behaviour modification resources.
- Provided support, information and referral for targeted families
Family Mentor
1 Year 8 Months- Facilitation of the 'ReadnPlay' early literacy program with a particular focus on engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
- Recruitment and retention of over 20 target families in the ReadnPlay program.
- Collaborated with families to assist in growth, development and education to increase potential.
- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
- Liaison with Family Support Workers, Early Childhood Educators and outside agencies in order to provide families with wrap around services
- Maintained resources, records and compiled quarterly reports.
Early Childhood Educator - Special Needs
2 Years- Promoted physical, academic and social development by implementing diverse classroom and outside activities.
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
- Implemented developmentally and culturally appropriate curriculum for children, creating positive and safe classroom environments.
- Enhanced sensory and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition and memory development, by employing both traditional and modern educational strategies and techniques.
Education
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning - Early Childhood Education
Course eighty percent complete, with a distinction grade average.
Bachelor of Teaching And Learning - Bachelor of Teaching - Primary
Skills
Friendly
welcoming and calm disposition
Experienced working with children and their families/carers in early learning centres
playgroups
school readiness programs
school holiday programs and out of home care settings.
High level of Cultural Competence and experience working with diverse range of people including First Nations families
young parents
families experiencing family and domestic violence
CALD families and families in out of home care settings.
Ability to work effectively both individually and as part of a team
Efficient and accurate at data collection
entry and management
Community outreach to schools
services and other stakeholders.
Excellent communication skills and sound IT skills including Canva and Microsoft Office
Certification
- WA Working with Children Check
- Current Police Check
- WA Class 3 Licence
- Abecedarian 3a Facilitator Certificate
- Cultural Respect, Reflection and Awareness Training
- Mental Health First Aid
- Stormbirds - Post disaster resilience program for children
- Birdie's Tree - Growing together through natural disasters/pandemics
- Therapeutic Crisis Intervention - Two day course
- Trauma Informed Care
- Current Provide First Aid/CPR Certificate
- Key Concepts - Communicating with Sign
Timeline
Education Assistant, Special Needs
Derby District School
04.2026 - CurrentRead More
Project Facilitator-Early Childhood Education/Care
World Vision - Australian First Nations Programs
10.2024 - 04.2026Read More
Family Support Worker
Wuchopperen Health Service
01.2023 - 10.2024Read More
Program Coordinator
YWCA Northern Rivers
12.2021 - 01.2023Read More
Family Support Worker
CASPA Out Of Home Care
12.2020 - 12.2021Read More
Family Engagement/ Youth & Practice Support Worker
Foundations Care - Out Of Home Care
04.2019 - 12.2020Read More
Disability Support Worker
Biala Support Services
06.2018 - 03.2019Read More
Early Childhood Support Worker /Playgroup Coordinator
Early Childhood Intervention - The House with No Steps
02.2017 - 06.2018Read More
Family Mentor
Wuchopperen - Aboriginal Child and Family Centre
02.2015 - 10.2016Read More
Early Childhood Educator - Special Needs
Kuranda Community Kindergarten
01.2012 - 01.2014Read More
University Of South Australia
Bachelor of Teaching And Learning from Bachelor of Teaching - Primary
Read More
Charles Darwin University
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning from Early Childhood Education
Read More