WA Staff Profiles
Dave
I am currently employed as the Group Director Australasia for Key Assets and Foster Care Associates (FCA). I have a background in clinical intervention, policy development and implementation, management, research and evaluation across a range of sectors including welfare, health, research and education. I am passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people in out of home care. I firmly believe that carers are the catalyst for a young person’s improved outcomes and that they should be supported and encouraged so that the children and young people in their care can achieve their dreams. I also hold the position of Adjunct Professor at the School of Psychology at Curtin University of Technology and I am an Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Vulnerable Children and Families at the University of Western Australia. I was awarded a PhD from Curtin Unversity of Technology in 2002.
Liesel
I am the General Manager at Key Assets in WA. I have been working at Key Assets since November 2007. After graduating from Curtin University (BSW) in 1989, my first job as a Social Worker was at Crisis Care Unit, Department for Child Protection. My work experience is predominantly in Child Protection, however I have also worked in a non government community mental health service for four years and at Fostering Services DCP, conducting carer reviews and assessments for over three years.
What I enjoy most about working at Key Assets is the dedicated and skilled team of staff and carers that I work with. The highlight of my role within this organisation is seeing the benefits of our organisation's team parenting model and the difference it has made in each child's life.
Debbie
After 20 years in Real Estate I was looking for a change and a new direction in my working career. I discovered Key Assets, and absolutely love working here. My role at Key Assets involves helping Dave, the Group Director, set up and expand Key Assets within Australia, and I am also the Office Manager at our Fremantle office. I enjoy my work and find it extremely rewarding. Key Assets is a great place to work and we have a great team who I admire immensely for all their hard work and dedication they show. Its all about the Children for me.
Erika
As a Social Worker I have a passion for improving outcomes for children. Having worked in the fostering area for over 15 years I came to Key Assets as I fully believe that the model of support for children and foster carers and the team approach are the best possible options for children in care. When I joined the team at Key Assets my position was Supervising Social Worker and I enjoyed meeting and working with our carers and children. I currently manage the area of recruitment, where I see applicants on their journey from initial inquiry through to being registered as carers. Key Assets is a wonderful team of dedicated passionate carers and staff.
Clare
I came to Australia in November 2009 from the UK, specifically to work for Key Assets as Manager of Social Work Services. I have been working in Independent Fostering in the UK for the past 10 years initially as a SSW and since 2003 in managerial roles predominantly as the Registered Manager. I have experienced most areas of fostering, supporting foster carers, chairing fostering panel, investigating complaints and allegations as well as setting up and managing a major region of one of the top 5 fostering agencies in the UK. I hope that my experiences will help Key Assets build further on their current success and help the company to develop and grow further, ultimately to help more kids. I have been impressed how Key Assets have a diverse team of high calibre, committed foster families who provide a unique Team Parenting model of fostering to the children in our care.
Christine
Hi my name is Christine. I have been working with Key Assets for almost a year now and I enjoy working here very much. Previously I had worked in the Department for Child Protection for 12 years and felt it was time to broaden my horizons although I wanted to stay in the child protection field. The reason I came to Key Assets was the "Team Parenting" model. I like the way we have the personal approach with the carers, their families, and the children we foster. We work closely as a Team here and this is the way I work best. I am employed as Children and Young People's Support Manager and co-ordinate the support workers who work as a team to look after our children and young people when the carers need a break. I also help to arrange holiday activities for these children and the birth children of foster carers.
Jen
After completing my degree in Counselling and Applied Psychology I gained employment as a Senior Case Worker with the Department of Child Protection. This work exposed me to many varying and challenging aspects of child protection, allowing me to gain the skills and maturity to move to Key Assets as Recruitment and Panel Officer.
I believe that Foster Carers make the most profound and lifelong impact on a child in care. As such my work at Key Assets is rewarding and fulfilling, affording me the opportunity to meet with potential carers who have enquired to become Foster Carers. I feel privileged to meet applicants who have the desire, motivation and commitment to provide care to children and young people in need.
My work with the recruitment team includes the completion of initial assessments and providing training to potential carers. The team at Key Assets are supportive of me as a member of staff and dedicated to providing a high level of support, training and ongoing professional development to Key Assets’ Foster Carers.
Maria
Prior to joining Key Assets I worked as a social worker in the UK for 18 years. During this time I worked with children and young people in residential care, a semi independence unit for young people leaving care, adults with mental health issues and intellectual disabilities and as a social work manager in community care. Since coming to Australia in 2001 I have worked with children and young people with Autism, with remote Indigenous communities in Tennant Creek, NT and as a manager in community health. I was appointed as a supervising social worker with Key Assets in November 2009. I have found the team welcoming and highly professional. I am proud to be part of an organisation that has a clear focus on the needs of children and young people in care and a commitment to supporting strong committed foster families.
George
Hi my name is George Hayden, I am a Noongar man and I come from Merredin in the Eastern Wheatbelt and my mob is the Njaki Njaki clan. I am currently employed by Key Assets WA as a Cultural Consultant, I have been employed with numerous Government Agencies throughout my employment career working closely with the Aboriginal Communities of the South West. I have spent a lot of time working with young people both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal in breaking down barriers through involvement in sporting activities and Cultural camps and excursions. I look forward to passing on my Cultural knowledge to assist Key Assets in looking after our Aboriginal children who come into our care.
Courtney
I joined the Key Assets team in November of 2009 working in the administration department in Fremantle. I was looking for a change, a challenging role in an industry that meant something to me, to be able to work as part of a team who really made a difference. I’m a step parent, so I know a lot of the ups and downs involved in caring for and loving children who aren’t yours biologically and felt that through my experiences, combined with the type of person I am, I had something I could offer the Key Assets team, their carers, children and young people. This organisation is wonderfully friendly, supportive and exceptionally professional and I hope to be here, expanding my skills, knowledge and self, for a long time to come.
Robina
Hi, my name is Robina. I have been with Key Assets since start up in 2007. Initially I was involved in a range of areas, but as the company has grown I have been able to concentrate on my role in the PR & Marketing Team. We have a group of dedicated carers looking after children and young people. In my role you may talk to me if you make an enquiry about becoming a carer for Key Assets. Or we might meet in a shopping centre, festival, fair or one of Key Assets many promotional events. My husband and I are also Foster Carers for Key Assets. We have been fostering for more than 20 years and have helped over 50 young people. So if you want to know what fostering is really like ask me! Fostering changes your life, it can be frustrating at times (what family life isn’t?). It is also extremely rewarding, especially when you hear from a young person years later and they tell you all about leading a successful life.
Janice
I have been working at Key Assets since May 2008 but became a permanent member of staff last year. Originally from the UK, my thirty plus years of administration experience spreads across a wide range of organisations. Outside the workplace I have been involved in many activities involving children and young people including a drama workshop and a variety of junior sporting clubs. I can honestly say the position I have now is now one of the most rewarding times of my career as I have the privilege to work with and meet fantastic people who make a difference to the lives of children and young people. What more can I say ... I love my job!
Tine
I am a Yamatji woman of the Malgana Shark Bay people from the Gascoyne region of Western Australia. I have worked in Child Protection for 8 ½ years in administration, research, project and policy areas, working closely with Aboriginal children, families and communities across the State. I am currently employed as an Aboriginal Cultural Consultant and Recruitment Officer with Key Assets Fostering in Geraldton, WA. I am currently involved in the recruitment of Foster Carers in the Mid-west region, with a special focus on recruiting, supporting and training Aboriginal Carers. During my employment with Key Assets Fostering my vision is to ensure all children in care are in a safe and nurturing environment, stay connected to their country of origin and have every opportunity to fulfil their dreams.