Tara joined Connecting Families in 2021. Tara grew up in rural Victoria growing passionfruit for a number of years before to moving to Adelaide in 2013 to study. Tara has completed a Bachelor in
Justice and Society (Criminology) and a Postgraduate Master of Social Work degree.
Since commencing her Social Work career, Tara has developed a strong interest in the Resolutions Approach and Partnering for Safety Approach, and how they can be used to achieve safe and best
outcomes for children and families. Tara works to understand the context of each family and how support networks can bring about safety and holds a view that constructive working relationships
are essential for child protection practice.
Prior to starting at Connecting Families, Tara commenced her Social Work career at the Department for Child Protection. Tara then undertook a Senior Social Work role to provide mentoring to Social Workers, with a focus on family led decision making and strength-based practice. In 2020, Tara co-presented on Safety-Organised Practice at an international conference for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Trauma. In 2021, Tara received an award from the Australian Association of Social Workers for the work she had been doing with children and families for the past 2 years. Tara has experience in identifying safety and risk whilst maintaining a focus on individual family circumstances, strengths and the importance of children feeling safe and having a sense of
belonging.
Tara has a passion for working intensively and collaboratively with families, children and caregivers in a non-judgmental, culturally safe and respectful way to support change, increase motivation and strengthen the capacity of parents, families and their supports to provide safe and stable care to children.
Tara is qualified to facilitate the Circle of Security program with parents and caregivers