1. Rachael Corrigan
44 Rosewood Drive, Medowie 2318
Phone: 0409449202
E-mail: rachael@hunterconnect.org.au
Objectives
Being an energetic and enthusiastic young woman I actively seek new challenges. Having
worked as a Residential Support Worker, Transition to Work Coordinator and Development
Clinician for over ten years, and enjoying the role of CEO for the past three years. I am now
focusing my skills and experience in a Managerial or Teaching position within the Disability/
Education Sector. My particular interest and strengths are in Early Intervention and Social Skill
tuition supporting those with Autism or Asperger’s, ADHD, ADD, ODD and OCD.
Education
Currently undertaking: Certificate IV in Training and Assessment – Inspire Education
2016
Social Skills Training Institute – Secret Agent Society Practitioner - 2012
Bachelor of Social Science (Social Welfare) - 2001
Associate Diploma Of Community Welfare - 1998
Higher School Certificate - 1996
Experience
School Support and Learning Officer – 2013-Present
Tea Gardens Public School, Tea Gardens.
Whilst at Tea Gardens I have worked within the classroomsetting in assisting and supporting students
with a variety of additional needs to get the best out of there learning and accomplish individual goals

2. Rachael Corrigan
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along the way. Given my extensive experience in working alongside children, young persons on the
Autism Spectrum I am able to provide teachers with a number of varied strategies to bettersupport and
teach the ASD child in there class.
With my previous experience in writing Individual Education Plans and Behavioral Plans, I have
helped teachers put togetherthese plans for a number of students.
I have a strong belief in total inclusion and have ran a number of play based social skill programs
during the lunch break to encourage those students on the fringe to join in and form friendships
amongst their peers.. I have also facilitated the Secret Agent Social Skills program three times during
my time at Tea Gardens. This has enabled a number of students successfully transition to High School
and others that have for the first time in their primary education formed real friendships.
I also have the experience of working within the schooladmin when needed.
CEO / Development Clinician – 2010-Present
Registered Secret Agent Society Facilitator.
Hunter Connect Families Inc.
This position is a frontline role in supporting and connecting families impacted by ASD and similar
developmental disorders in the Hunter region. Hunter Connect is a not for profit organization that
relies solely on donations and grants.
The objectives I meet as Hunter Connect’s Development Clinician are connecting families and carers
to relevant resources & services, Advocating for parents and carers requiring assistance when dealing
with organizations, services and educational institutions.I equip and encourage parents and carers to
further develop their ability and confidence to care for their child/ren. I run a number of workshops
with children, teens and adults from emotional regulating, sibling workshops for those children with
siblings with ASD and parent support group meetings. I regularly present at a variety of seminar and
organisational workshops on AutismSpectrum Disorder and the impacts on families and the es sential
social skill training and tuition persons with ASD require. I am actively involved in organizing respite
events for families including the provision of care and entertainment for children including siblings ,
whilst providing opportunities for parents & carers to connect and share experiences / information. For
the past four years I have led a small team to organize an Australian first event,the Hunter Connect
Surfers For AutismBeach Festival held at Nobbys Beach Feb where 200 children with ASD
experienced surfing with support and assistance from volunteers.The momentum after this event has
seen the local council pledge their further support the annual Surfers for Autism event and smaller
fundraising opportunities have arisen that enable Hunter Connect to further support families through
their journey. In March 2012 Hunter Connect began trialing a Pilot program “Navigating the Spectrum
– Your GPS to a Better Understanding”, created by myself.
This program teaches children on the spectrumSocial Skills. By “social skills” we generally mean
skills such as:conversational skills; play skills; understanding emotions; dealing with conflict; and
friendship skills. The development of these skills in typically developing children starts early in life
and happens overa number of years, generally without a lot of direct instruction. Most children learn
social skills by watching their peers,experimenting in imitation and refining their skills as they go.
Children with an autism spectrumdisorder (ASD) do not seem to naturally develop social skills in the
same way their peers do. Social skills and social situations need to be broken down, explained and
practiced so that children with an ASD can absorb them at a level that makes sense to them.

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Within my role I actively seek to create awareness in the community about Autism Spectrum
Disorder and the challenges facing families and carers of children with ASD.
My proficiency in working with individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome or on the Spectrum has been
greatly rewarded when I see these individuals take a seemingly small but difficult step towards
interacting effectively with others around them. It is this that has inspired me to create the above
Social Skills program; “Navigating the Spectrum – Your GPS to a betterunderstanding”.
In 2012, I became a registered Secret Agent Facilitator through the Australian Social Skills Institute.
This enabled me the opportunity to begin working within a variety of schools to facilitate the running
of the Secret Agent Society Social Skills program as well as running a number of SAS groups at the
Hunter Connect office. This is a breakthrough program created by Australian Clinical psychologist,Dr
Renae Beaumont for children aged between 8-12 who need to improve their social and emotional
skills.Parents and schoolare an integral part of the group program so it is vital my interpersonal and
negotiating skills are exceptional.
At the beginning of 2013, the role of Hunter Connect’s CEO was handed over to myself. This has
given me the opportunity to experience management of a voluntary team in working towards the
common goal of supporting families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. As well as applying for
grants and seeking substantialfunding with major businesses and corporation,this requires a
professional and confident manner on my behalf.
Play Connect Coordinator – Medowie (2010-2012)
Playgroup Australia
During the time I coordinated PlayConnect at Medowie I ran a small play group for children with
autism spectrumdisorder and their siblings once a week. The position involved programming and
scheduling an active, fast paced, inclusive play program so all children were catered for. Age range
was from 7months-6yrs. In order to maintain childrens interests I was required to interact in a fun and
flexible age appropriate manner, whilst interacting with parents and assisting them to locate further
support services for their child’s needs.Within this position I managed anotherplay connect worker
and thus displayed a high level of communication and interpersonal skills.
Community Support Worker / Social Skills Clinician –. (2008 – 2011)
Lifestyle Solutions Self-Managed Funding Band)
Within this position I supported a young person with Asperger’s Syndrome on a one to one basis.I
assisted and supported this individual to access his local community and taught him the necessary
Social Skills to enable interaction, friendships and understanding emotions.
Transition to Work Mentor – 2008 – 2010.
Lifestyle Solutions Nelson Bay Transition to Work Program.
As a Transition to Work Mentor within the Nelson Bay Day Program I have worked with in both the
Community Participation and the Transition to Work programs. I have actively developed and
delivered workshops relating to Life skills, Self – Esteem, Networking, Community Participation,
Work preparation, and assisted a number of participants to gain meaningful employment.

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Foster Carer – 2003 – 2008
Life Without Barriers. Newcastle.
As a Foster Carer I have provided both short and long term care and support for children under the
care of the Department of Community Services. Numerous children ranging in age from 6months to
17years have been placed in my care and have become a part of my family for varying lengths of time.
Whilst providing for their daily living requirements and needs I have also emotionally and physically
supported themin Care Conferences, Court hearings and similar appointments and meetings. I have
also had the opportunity to care for young ones with varying disabilities ranging in age from 11yrs –
27yrs. I have worked alongside children with behavioral issues or those who for whatever reason are
no longer able to live at home. In bringing these young people and children into my home and family I
have found it to be both a challenging and rewarding experience.
Residential Support Worker – 2003-2006
Lifestyle Solutions Australia Pty Ltd. Newcastle.
As a Support Worker I have worked with in various Group homes in the Newcastle and surrounding
areas with both physically or intellectually impaired adults. In this role I provided both emotional and
physical support enabling people with varying disabilities to aim towards and accomplish
independence in their daily activities. Whilst ensuring throughout their daily routines that their
Individual Support Plans and the Disability Service standards are being both encouraged and
implemented.
Teacher’s Aide – 2003
Tea Gardens Primary School.
Worked alongside the classroom teacher in preparing and carrying out the day to day activities within
the classroomsetting.Assisted students in one to one or small group settings with various reading,
comprehension and mathematical tasks.Supervised children within the playground and classroom
environments.
Residential Support Worker – 2003- 2005
Samaritans Enhanced Living Options Coastal and Outreach Services.
Newcastle and Upper Hunter.
Various duties included assisting intellectually and physically disabled persons with their daily living
skills and tasks,Encouraging their active participation in budgeting,shopping,household duties,
personal care and hygiene. Ensuring Individual Service Plans and Disability Service Standards are
implemented in their daily life.
Residential Support Worker – 1999-2003
Department of Community Services Newcastle.
I was employed as part of a Community Accommodation Support Team. The emphasis within C.A.S.T
was to assist and empower intellectually disabled adults to live as independently as possible within the

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community. Various responsibilities included supporting and enabling residents to make informed
decisions,assisting residents to develop community living skills by facilitating their active
participation in budgeting,shopping,meal planning and preparation, personal care and hygiene.
During my time within C.A.S.T. I held the position of Case Manager, thus gaining experience in
developing and implementing Individual Support Plans and Behavioral Plans.
Teacher’s Aide – 1998-2000
Glendon Special School. Hillsborough.
Responsibilities included; Assisting classroomteacher with daily activities within the classroom i.e.
Art / Craft, music therapy, reading activities, physiotherapy and various other physical education
programs. I was actively involved with the personal care of students,including feeding, grooming,
toileting etc. As well as assisting children both with and without varying disabilities to read and write.
Experience
Disability Access Worker 1997
Port Stephens Council. Raymond Terrace
During my placement with the Council I carried out a survey of the local Raymond Terrace CBD, as to
how wheelchair accessible the area was. This was achieved by designing a written survey that would
assess accessibility. Areas assessed were door widths, counter heights,accessible pathways both in and
around shops and buildings. The information was then compiled into report format and used to create a
mobility map of the local Central Business District.
Teacher’s Aide 1998
Glendon Special School, Hillsborough.
Within my placement at Glendon I assisted the classroomteacher in carrying out various daily
classroom activities. After an eight week TAFE placement at this schoolI was offered and accepted a
Casual position as a Teacher’s Aide.
Support Worker 1998
Newcastle Community Access, Newcastle and Port Stephens.
During my time with N.C.A. I worked alongside a variety of workers in taking high support need
clients out of their homes and into the community to participate in day to day activities and tasks. My
main role was working on a one to one basis with intellectually disabled persons in transferring the
agencies policies into easy read format and publishing as a booklet for each person supported to
receive a copy.
Other
 Senior First Aid Certificate – Expiration Date: September 2017
 Working With Children Check - WWC0091727E. (Expiration date: 10/09/2018)

6. Rachael Corrigan
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Referees
Christine Maloney
Assistant Principal
Ph: 0409834703
Sam Hays
Hunter Connect Founder
Ph: 0414456572
Donna Surtees.
Ability Links.
Ph: 0428793731

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