Erin Philander

Self-motivated, Organized and ambitious Social Worker who loves working with people. Seeking new opportunities both in and outside the Social Work, Training and Administrative fields. Two years experience in Therapeutic Counselling and Training development. Bringing forth a set of skills in Problem Solving, Facilitation and Training that provided a firm foundation in Social Work. An individual that is open-minded to learning in practice and understanding different types of roles in the work environment.

Social Worker | Childline Western Cape (Head Office) 2022- Present 

Therapeutic Counselling and Community Engagement: 

• Develop and conduct telephonic and in person individual therapeutic counselling to children (Trauma, Bereavement and Sexual Abuse Counselling); 
• Telephone counsellor on the helpline facility - Counsel and refer persons to relevant services; Data capture call logs; Case reports and Shift reports on Childline South Africa Data System; 
• Develop and facilitate various types of group work programmes to children and adults (Life Skills, Body Boundaries, Gender-based Violence, Teenage Pregnancy, Transitioning from Primary School to High School, Risky Behaviour); Develop and facilitate Prevention and Early Intervention programmes (PEI) with communities, schools, children and adults (Signs and Symptoms of Abuse, Reporting Procedures of Abuse, Anti-bullying and Positive Discipline to Parents and Teachers; For Learners: Anti-bullying, Body Boundaries, Gender-based Violence, Online Safety: Cyberbullying and Pornography, Signs and Symptoms of Abuse)
•  Network and Liaise with various stakeholders and organisations to arrange and implement relevant programmes, events and trainings with adults and children 
• Administrative Practices: 
• Keeping updated records of report writing; collating statistical data and reports; evaluation forms; attendance registers; case registers; case files; time sheets; psychosocial statistics; support documents; and any other administration forms and duties
• Referral Officer: Dual Role as Social Worker and Referral Officer; Knowledge of Reporting procedures; Fill and report Form 22 cases of abuse to relevant social service organisations and child protection organisations for investigation; 
• Form and network with relevant social service organisations; seek and provide follow-ups where necessary; Document and file feedbacks Training Development: Create training guides and conduct training for new employees and students (Counselling Guide; Referrals Guide); Provided referral officer training to new employees (Prevention and Early Intervention Programmes to children, parents, teachers and community members); 
• Provide and conduct peer supervision and wellness workshops on various topics to employees (Mental Health and Self-Care)
• Supervise University Students: Provide supervision, Orientation and Training; Allocate tasks and Clients; Co-ordinate orientation and training sessions on organisations processes; weekly check-ins; monitor and evaluate student performance during their internship placement.

Social Auxiliary/Administrator | Childline Western Cape (Head Office)  2021-2022

• Administrative Practices: 
• Check and respond to emails; Operate switchboard, take messages and transfer calls to relevant persons; Update and Monitor client waiting list and closed lists; Conduct screening of employees and clients entering the office; as well as update/file screening forms and screening register; Assist with other administrative duties - psychosocial statistics, time sheets, data capturing, sanitizing office spaces, filing and copying documents. 
• Therapeutic Counselling and Community Engagement: 
• Develop and conduct telephonic and in person individual therapeutic counselling to children (Trauma, Bereavement and Sexual Abuse Counselling); 
• Arrange telephonic and in-person appointments with clients for assessments and counselling sessions; 
• Assist as a telephone counsellor on the helpline facility (Counsel and refer persons to relevant services; Data capture call logs; Case reports and Shift reports on Childline South Africa Data System);
• Develop and facilitate various types of group work programmes to children and adults; 
• Develop and facilitate Prevention and Early Intervention programmes (PEI) with communities, schools, children and adults;
• Referral Officer: Dual Role as Social Auxiliary Worker/Administrator and Referral Officer at the time; Knowledge of Reporting procedures;
•  Fill and report Form 22 cases of abuse to relevant social service organisations and child protection organisations for investigation; 
• Form and network with relevant social service organisations; seek and provide follow-ups where necessary;
• Document and file feedbacks

Volunteer | Masakhe NPC | 2020 - Presently 

• Assisted with data capturing of community members' contact details; 
• Assisted in making food parcels and assisted in soup kitchens in communities

Part-time Receptionist | Jawitz Properties| 2016 - 2017

• Operate switchboard; 
• take calls and respond to emails; 
• Transfer calls and messages to relevant persons; 
• Printing, Copying and filing of documents.

TEFL Full Circle (2021) - Advanced Certificate

• Advanced 160 hour Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)

University of the Western Cape (2016-2020) - Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) 

• Honours Degree in Social Work 
• Majored in Psychology
• Distinction in SCW408 - Advanced Supervision and Management
• Member of Golden Key Honours Society