Sonya Coop
Favona,Auckland
Summary
A Senior Housing Support Manager at Kāinga Ora, with a proven track record in client advocacy and complex needs support. Fostering whānau-centered engagement, implementing housing policies, driving service improvements, and achieving strategic performance expectations. Adept at interagency collaboration, ensuring sustainable housing solutions for vulnerable whānau.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Housing Support Manager
Kāinga Ora
01.2022 - Current
- Provide guidance and support to Housing Support Managers, ensuring consistent practice and processes followed.
- Build strong, mana-enhancing relationships with customers and whānau, supporting long-term housing stability.
- Partner with internal teams (including Maintenance and Placement team) to ensure well-being and housing safety needs are met.
- Work within Awhi Rito pods to strengthen practice capability, teamwork, and service outcomes.
- Support the achievement of strategic performance expectations (SPEs), and contribute to service improvement initiatives.
- Promote accountability for tenancy commitments, including rent sustainability, neighborliness, and property care.
- Contribute to achieving SPEs, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Wellness Advisor (Health Improvement Practitioner)
Tamaki Health
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Delivered 30-minute behavioural-based interventions within a primary healthcare setting.
- Worked collaboratively with GPs and nurses to support whaiora across mental health, social, and physical wellbeing needs.
- Connected patients with relevant external community and social support services.
Lead Support Navigator (Housing First)
Visionwest Community Trust
01.2016 - 01.2021
- Led and supervised a team of Support Navigators and Community Workers, ensuring they were well-resourced, supported and aligned with service expectations.
- Provided fortnightly supervision, coaching, practice reviews and wellbeing support to staff.
- Led case consultations and collaborated with management on complex whānau cases.
- Facilitated regular team meetings and contributed to service growth, improvement and evaluation.
- Participated in monthly leadership discussions regarding contracts, KPIs, process improvement and quality assurance.
- Supported individuals and whānau experiencing homelessness into stable housing, conducting assessments and coordinating wraparound support.
- Advocated for whānau needs and coordinated referrals to mental health, addiction and community services.
- Reported regularly to the Clinical Regional Supports Manager and contributed to continuous improvement of the Housing First programme.
Caseworker
Salvation Army – Epsom Lodge Supportive Accommodation
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Conducted casework including goal setting and assessments with whaiora.
- Coordinated with social service agencies and linked clients to appropriate support.
- Facilitated monthly group meetings and maintained high-quality documentation and case notes.
- Developed safety plans in collaboration with clients.
- Transported clients to key appointments (WINZ, Housing NZ, hospitals).
- Supported clients to engage with AOD programmes such as Bridge, CADS, and Odyssey House.
Education
Bachelor of Social Work - Full Registration & Practising Certificate with SWRB
01.2015
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science - Mental Health & Addictions
AUT
Skills
- Client advocacy
- Housing policy implementation
- Whānau-centered engagement
- Case management
- Complex needs support
- Supervision
- Interagency collaboration
- Strengths-based practice
- Crisis intervention
- De-escalation
- Conflict resolution
- Documentation skills
- Decisive Decision-making
Registrations
SWRB Registered Social Worker, Full Practising Certificate
Professional Development
- Le Va – Engaging Pasifika Cultural Competency Programme, 01/01/21
- The Grief Centre – Bereavement by Suicide Workshop, 01/01/21
- Counties Manukau Health – Alcohol Conversations with Peter Thorburn, 01/01/21
- Addiction 101 – Blueprint Learning, 01/01/21
- Housing First Auckland Interactive Workshop Hui, 01/01/20
- GROW – Motivational Interviewing, 01/01/20
- Unitec – Supervision Skills for Health & Social Service Professionals, 01/01/19
- De-escalation Training – Anton Ashcroft, Psychologist, 01/01/19
- AOD & Methamphetamine Training – MESS NZ, 01/01/19
Timeline
Senior Housing Support Manager
Kāinga Ora
01.2022 - Current
Wellness Advisor (Health Improvement Practitioner)
Tamaki Health
01.2021 - 01.2022
Lead Support Navigator (Housing First)
Visionwest Community Trust
01.2016 - 01.2021
Caseworker
Salvation Army – Epsom Lodge Supportive Accommodation
01.2014 - 01.2016
Bachelor of Social Work - Full Registration & Practising Certificate with SWRB
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science - Mental Health & Addictions
AUT