Alesha Verheyen
Pukekohe,AUK
Summary
I am a dedicated and experienced registered social worker with a strong understanding of child protection principles and practices.
I am highly organized, and am skilled in planning and coordinating group activities, including facilitating hui to foster community engagement.
I have proven leadership abilities in team management, complemented by an ability for building positive rapport with colleagues, whanau, and external agencies.
I have effective communication and approach challenges with a positive and tenacious attitude, ensuring collaborative efforts have impactful results.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Acting Social Services Team Leader
Great Potentials Foundation
Papakura, AUK
08.2025 - Current
- Providing day-to-day leadership, coordination and support to the Social Service Team.
- Facilitating regular team meetings to foster open communication, provide support within the team, and address challenges proactively.
- Providing individual supervision with team members to address issues, clarify concerns, and provide support.
- Maintaining an inclusive and diverse team culture, promoting respect, support, and understanding among all members.
- Providing initial assessments and screening of new referrals. Opening client files and allocating to team members on the database.
- Supporting the Family Service Centre Manager and performing duties as identified and allocated by the Centre Manager.
- Providing practice guidance as the first point of call for queries and managing complex cases.
- Seeking professional development workshops contributing to ongoing growth and expertise of the team.
- Leading by example, demonstrating commitment and professionalism, inspiring team members.
SWiS – Cosgrove School
Great Potentials Foundation, Papakura Family Service Centre
Papakura
06.2019 - Current
- Responding appropriately to referrals and prioritizing those which involve child safety.
- Understanding and adhering to the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 and focusing on the paramountcy of the child.
- Developing working relationships with children, whanau and the school.
- Completing psycho-social assessments of the child and whanau to identify strengths and needs.
- Engaging parents in a plan with agreed goals to meet their child’s needs.
- Familiarizing with services and resources available in the community.
- Supporting relationships between school and whanau.
- Providing both one to one and preventative group programmes to enhance children’s well-being.
- Maintaining accurate and up to date records and reporting to appropriate leaders in a timely manner.
- Adhering to the ANZASW Code of Ethics.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Supervising social work placement student to further develop their experience and enhance their practice in the field.
Care and Protection Social Worker
Oranga Tamariki, Pukekohe
Pukekohe
01.2017 - 04.2019
- Interviewing, talking to and assessing safety of children
- Relationship building with children, whanau, caregivers and other professionals
- Talking to and working with parents, whanau and other professionals including; schools, Doctors, lawyers and other agencies
- Organising and facilitating whanau hui
- Presenting and delivering information with whanau and professionals
- Embracing and working with cultural diversity
- Writing succinct formal documentation for court and legal purposes
- Responding to and prioritizing critical situations
- Ensuring the child is at the centre of every decision and action and maintaining their safety and best interests
- Case management (usually 20 cases)
- Record keeping of all conversations, visits and engagement
- Always working in a team approach and supporting my colleagues
- Upholding confidentiality and anonymity
- Regularly consulting with my supervisor around direction and clarification
Retail Assistant/ Duty Manager
Pumpkin Patch, Manukau
Manukau
12.2013 - 12.2016
- Customer service and assistance
- Cash handling/ cash up
- Putting together outfits
- Security – being aware of potential thieves
- Ensuring store is clean before, during and after customers
- Managing staff – running shifts and organizing break and shift cover
- Opening and closing the store
- Stock take and stock replenishment
- Handling customer complaints
- General cleaning and house keeping
- Interacting with customers; children and adults
Social Work Student – placement
Child, Youth & Family, Pukekohe
Pukekohe
08.2016 - 11.2016
- Transporting children
- Assessment referrals
- Organising visits with caregivers, schools and other organisations
- Scribing and typing up interviews and notes
- Organising school holiday programmes
- Supervising access
- Shopping for children and the office (carseats etc)
- Taking duty phone calls and walk ins
- Relationship-building with children, caregivers, parents and other professionals
- Reflection in weekly supervision
- Meeting deadlines and goals
- Attending weekly trainings on site
- Working through conflicting feelings
- Responding to children’s emotions and questions
- Learning and understanding the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989
- Life Story books
Social Work Student – placement
Friendship House, Manukau
Manukau
04.2015 - 07.2015
- Answering phones and customer enquiries
- Covering reception
- Interviewing – completing intakes and assessments
- Writing case notes
- Reflection in weekly supervision
- Filing
- Providing resources to fit customers’ needs – finding/ suggesting local agencies
- Finding accommodation for customer
- Relationship building with customers
- Attending FGC’s with social workers for clients
Sales Assistant
Bakers Delight, Manukau
Manukau
11.2013 - 12.2013
- Customer service
- Cash handling/ cashing up
- Cleaning
- Product management
- Training staff
- Opening and setting up the counter ready for customers to purchase the products
- Closing the store
Trainee Chef – Work Experience
Volare Restaurant, The Gardens
The Gardens
04.2011 - 08.2011
- Basic food preparation of vegetables, meat, sauces etc.
- Assisting the Head Chef with garnishing and sending out orders
- Preparation and sending of Cold Larder and Desserts
- Basic cleaning of my area and the entirety of the kitchen
- Washing of the dishes
- Rotating stock
- Product management
Crew Person
McDonalds Drury MSA
Drury
11.2007 - 04.2011
- Serving customers - assembling their order quickly and efficiently
- Dealing with and responding to customer complaints re incorrect items etc.
- Cleaning as I go
- Cleaning the lobby
- Training new crew
- Working in McCafe - making coffees, making food and cleaning (opening and closing the café)
- Working in the kitchen when necessary assembling burgers
Canteen Assistant
Rosehill College Rosehill, Papakura
Papakura
03.2007 - 11.2009
- Handing out lunch orders to students at lunchtime
- Serving the students at the window when busy
- At times helping prepare food in the mornings before school
- Working unsupervised
- Re-stocking as needed – cups, lids, bags etc.
Education
Graduate Certificate - Cross-Cultural Supervision
Manukau Institute of Technology
Auckland, NZ06-2024
Bachelor of Social Work -
University of Auckland
University Of Auckland11.2016
Auckland Hotel & Chefs Training School
08.2011
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Rosehill College, Papakura
01.2010
Skills
- Relational
- Communication - oral and written
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Organised
- Problem-solving
- Motivating colleagues
Certification
- Graduate Certificate in Cross-Cultural Supervision (2024)
- Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) (2016)
- Tertiary Foundation Certificate (2012)
- NZQA National Certificate in Hospitality (Basic Cookery) Level 3 (2011)
- NZQA Food Handling Certificate (2011)
- AHCTS Professional Catering Certificate Cookery Level 3 (2011)
- London City & Guilds Exam – Distinction (2011)
- NCEA Level 3 Certificate (2010)
- Graduate Rosehill College (class of 2010)
- National Certificate in Hospitality (Food and Beverage Service Level 2) (2009)
Timeline
Acting Social Services Team Leader
Great Potentials Foundation
08.2025 - Current
SWiS – Cosgrove School
Great Potentials Foundation, Papakura Family Service Centre
06.2019 - Current
Care and Protection Social Worker
Oranga Tamariki, Pukekohe
01.2017 - 04.2019
Social Work Student – placement
Child, Youth & Family, Pukekohe
08.2016 - 11.2016
Social Work Student – placement
Friendship House, Manukau
04.2015 - 07.2015
Retail Assistant/ Duty Manager
Pumpkin Patch, Manukau
12.2013 - 12.2016
Sales Assistant
Bakers Delight, Manukau
11.2013 - 12.2013
Trainee Chef – Work Experience
Volare Restaurant, The Gardens
04.2011 - 08.2011
Crew Person
McDonalds Drury MSA
11.2007 - 04.2011
Canteen Assistant
Rosehill College Rosehill, Papakura
03.2007 - 11.2009
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Rosehill College, Papakura
Graduate Certificate - Cross-Cultural Supervision
Manukau Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Social Work -
University of Auckland
Auckland Hotel & Chefs Training School