Tharmika Mahendran

Qualifications / Professional Associations:

• Master of Social Sciences – WSU, Sydney

• Master of Social Work (Qualifying) – ACAP, Sydney

• AASW Registered Social Worker

• ACWA Registered Community Worker

Summary Professional Experience:

Tharmika worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Sri Lanka, working towards resettlement within the protection team. Also, she served as a Dispatcher for Falck Emergency Medical Services, which inspired her to relocate to Australia to pursue higher education.
During this period, she worked with community organisations to get experience in community engagement and initiatives.
Subsequently, she commenced her role as a Family Contact Supervisor, which transitioned into her position as a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner. She possesses extensive experience working with families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities throughout Canberra and Sydney. This experience culminated in her role as a Case Manager in Intensive Therapeutic Care, and most recently, she worked as a Youth Worker in Intensive Therapeutic Care, supporting young individuals who have experienced trauma, neglect, and domestic violence, as well as individuals with disabilities. Her approach emphasises strength-based and person-centred assessments, assisting individuals with therapeutic plans grounded in evidence-based practices. Her other responsibilities encompassed assisting persons in advocacy, allowing them to make and support their own decisions, and mitigating restrictive practices by using clinically based approaches.

She has collaborated with allied health professionals, educational programmes, and broader support services to ensure that individual holistic needs are addressed and shared objectives are pursued, aiming to enhance the quality of life for those she supports. Tharmika is fervently dedicated to affecting a meaningful and enduring impact on others.