Jess Adams
Independent Assessor
Phone:
0412489235
Email:
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CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA
A Bit About Me
Yuma! I am an Independent Assessor registered by the Australian Association of Children's Welfare Agencies in Step-By-Step Assessments. With over 15 years of experience in statutory child protection, complemented by a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) and Bachelor of Laws, I offer a comprehensive understanding of the psychological and legal dimensions essential for child protection assessments.
I have significant experience conducting assessments related to kinship, guardianship/Enduring Parental Responsibility, and all other Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) assessments and reviews.
I've worked extensively with ACT Child and Youth Protection Services (CYPS) and the NSW Department of Community and Justice (DCJ) undertaking complex assessments and case reviews. I have expertise in cross-jurisdictional work between NSW and ACT, and the varied legal, policy, and practice frameworks essential for assisting families separated across borders.
I am deeply committed to ensuring that my work remains child-centered, trauma-informed, and prioritise the safety and best interest of children and young people above all else.
These values drive everything I do:
Courage
I always persevere, maintain hope and do what needs to be done.
Integrity
I am always true to my word
Respect
I acknowledge each person’s culture, traditions, identity, rights, needs and aspirations
Accountability
I look at how I can improve, using knowledge and experience of what works
Education and Training
Professional Registration
Step-By- Step Carer Assessments
Association of Children's Welfare Agencies
Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
University of Wollongong
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
NSW College of Law
Bachelor of Laws
University of New England
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The Safe & Together Model Certification Program
Safe and Together
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Mental Health First Aid
University of Melbourne
Predicting and Managing Occupational Violence
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
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National Police Check
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Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) - ACT
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Working With Children Check (WWCC) - NSW
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Professional Indemnity & Public Liability insured
Employment and screening checks
Professional Experience
2022 - current
2022 - current
2019 - 2022
2016 - 2018
2014 - 2016
2008 - 2014
As an Independent Assessor, I work autonomously to complete a diverse array of child welfare assessments, including relative/kinship care assessment, carer reviews, foster care assessments, parenting capacity and restoration assessments, as well as permanent care assessments.
As the Director, Human Services Policy for ACT Government, I lead a team responsible for major legislative reform, including modernisation of the ACT Children and Young People Act 2008.
Leading the complex case review team in the ACT (case analysis), I was responsibility for undertaking complex case reviews and reviews of serious and adverse events for ACT Child Youth and Families.
As a casework specialist for NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), I provided complex case consultation and reviews, and delivered coaching, training and mentoring to child protection staff.
As a principal policy officer I delivered a range of solutions for NSW Department of Justice focused on improving systemic responses to domestic and family violence.
I was a senior child protection caseworker for NSW DJC for over 6 years, including roles with the Joint Child Protection Response Program (JCPRP) where I worked closely with NSW Police and NSW Health on serious child abuse cases.