Victoria Carson
Auckland,AUK
Summary
Dedicated Social Services Practitioner with experience in addiction recovery and trauma-informed practice, currently serving as a Personal Advisor in the Transition to Adulthood team. Focused on empowering rangatahi transitioning from care to interdependence. Pursuing a Bachelor of Social Services (Level 7) to enhance community-based support systems for vulnerable youth and whānau.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Personal Advisor
Dingwall Trust
10.2021 - Current
- Advocated for rangatahi within housing, education, health, and income systems
- Guided rangatahi in transitioning from state care to independence
- Work collaboratively with whānau, external agencies, and community providers
- Apply trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches
- Document case notes accurately to ensure all relevant information is recorded.
AOD Peer Support Worker
Ember Korowai Takitini
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Supported individuals in recovery from addiction and co-existing mental health challenges, fostering a supportive environment for personal growth
- Facilitated peer-led conversations and recovery planning, enhancing participants' engagement and commitment to recovery
- Demonstrated effective recovery strategies from personal experience, inspiring others to adopt similar approaches in their recovery journeys
- Maintained appropriate professional boundaries within peer support framework
Garden Specialist
Dingwall Trust
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Delivered therapeutic gardening programmes enhancing well-being of children and young people
- Built relational trust through strengths-based engagement fostering supportive relationships
- Supported emotional regulation through structured outdoor learning activities promoting resilience
Garden Specialist
Papatoetoe Central Primary School
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Coordinated garden-to-table learning initiatives to enhance student engagement and understanding of sustainable practices
- Fostered teamwork and accountability among students in educational settings to promote collaborative learning
Education
Bachelor of Social Services -
University of Otago
Dunedin, NZ06-2026
Certificate in Social Services -
Manukau Institute of Technology
12-2018
Skills
- Case management
- Trauma-informed practice
- Youth anxiety support
- Motivational interviewing
- Advocacy
- Cultural responsiveness
- Professional boundaries
- Consistency, predictability, and relational safety
Professional Development
- Vulnerable Children Training, 2020
- Whānau and Inclusiveness Training, 2020
- Safeguarding Children, 2021
- Self-Care in Trauma-Informed Organisations, 2021
- Privacy ABC, 2021
- Working with Māori, 2021
- Engaging Pasifika, 2022
- ASSIST Training, 2022
- MAPA (Managing Actual or Potential Aggression), 2022
- First Aid, 2022
- PARTH Model Training, Ongoing
- Motivational Interviewing, 2023
- Registered Youth Worker – Korowai Tupu, 2023
- Boundaries and Ethics (ABACUS)
Timeline
Personal Advisor
Dingwall Trust
10.2021 - Current
AOD Peer Support Worker
Ember Korowai Takitini
01.2018 - 01.2021
Garden Specialist
Dingwall Trust
01.2017 - 01.2019
Garden Specialist
Papatoetoe Central Primary School
01.2014 - 01.2015
Bachelor of Social Services -
University of Otago
Certificate in Social Services -
Manukau Institute of Technology