Justine Robinson – A/g Manager – Family Program

What do you do at Karralika?

I’m acting Manager of the Karralika Therapeutic Community Family Program. It’s a residential setting in which single or dual parents on their path to recovery can bring along their child/children up to the age of 12 years of age.

What do you like about working at Karralika?

I enjoy supporting each resident and their families navigate their recovery journey and coming to the Family Program strengthens family connection, in a safe supported environment. Adults learn about themselves and learn how to parent their children. It is a structured stable environment in which you see families thrive. Parents engage in their own personal program, along with a variety of parenting programs and learn to navigate daily living skills. Children are able to be children, to enjoy childhood, to play, laugh, love, and be cared for. Parents learn lifelong skills, and I get to be apart of that. Karralika’s values align with my own values in that my actions and behaviours support what’s important to me and the organisation.

What is your background?

After leaving school I studied Community Services, Childcare, after a few years I upgraded my qualification to the Diploma of Community Services and completed a Frontline Management Course. After many years in childcare, I became an Assistant Director before starting a family of my own. During this time, I was a Behaviour Support worker, which lead me to the Manager of this service. My experience includes early intervention and prevention, early childhood education and care. The organisation underwent a restructure, and I was successful in becoming a Portfolio Manager. I have had extensive knowledge in managing staff, program delivery, and building strong partnerships with NFP organisations and government agencies. I have managed staff that delivered a variety of creative and inclusive programs to client groups for the Aged, Children, Youth and Adults with Disabilities, Mental Health, Community Transport and overseen the management of the Community Centre in which some of these programs were delivered from. During my time with Karralika I have undertaken AOD training, attended an international conference and continue to learn and grow each and everyday.

I have always been drawn to work that ‘makes a difference’ however big or small.