When starting out at Corrections, Case Manager Cam was no stranger to the job title, having previously worked as a Case Manager at the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).

“I think for most people, when you mention the term ‘case manager’, they automatically think of case management at MSD.

But if I was to explain my role as a Case Manager at Corrections to someone, I’d say we’re kind of like probation, but on the inside.”

He says that he’s been able to draw on both his previous job at MSD as a case manager, as well as his degree in social work, in his current role.

“Most of our people who are being released, that’s what they’re going to have to access first before being able to return to employment unless they’ve got something lined up of course. So, it’s been useful to have that knowledge of the social welfare system.

And I think my social work degree provided me with a good foundation on the way that I want to work with people and what theory I can incorporate into my practice.”

In being “like probation but on the inside” Cam’s role involves working with people to develop an offender plan, right from when they arrive in prison through to when they leave.

“That includes doing risk assessments and identifying programmes and other things that are going to help them in their rehabilitation.

The really cool part of our job for me is when they move past that treatment and rehabilitation phase and get into what we call the reintegration phase. I find that’s where case management can really start to shine because that’s when we start to look into community providers and everything involved with a person stepping out of prison and safely into the community.”

One thing that Cam says he’s proud of during his time at Corrections is making the transition to working in men’s prisons – a step out of his comfort zone, as working at a women’s prison was where he started and what he knew. Having made the change, he’s really enjoying the work he is doing in men’s prisons and is glad he has had experience in both.

Cam says that a typical day for him generally involves first checking emails and making a plan for the day.

“It may be that I need to go out and see someone, either for an initial contact, or it could be a follow up.

I will definitely need to be doing some sort of admin work in my day, so that might be running up a risk assessment, working on a parole report or file notes, things like that.

I would say that organising and forethought to your day is important.”

Alongside being organised, he says that communication and interpersonal skills are key in being able to succeed in the role.

“I think you need to be able to effectively communicate with others, because you’re going to be talking with people all the time. And I mean communication in a lot of ways. So one is, of course, that interpersonal side being able to talk with people, being able to answer questions, find out information.

There’s also the other side of communication where you’re needing to make sure that you’re liaising with the other people that are looking into this case. Are you keeping them updated? Are you bringing them in when you need to?

I appreciate how varied this job can be. Although the main aspects of your work remain the same, the people you work with are always different. The opportunity to connect with people is what I enjoy the most.”

He says that he’s enjoyed being able to “find his groove” within the role and see how far he’s come, and he hopes that new case managers can do the same.

“I know it’s cliche, but honestly you just need to be yourself. You can read up and know the parts of the role and how to write a good report, leave good file notes and assess risk – all of that is really important. But that’s all stuff that can be learned.

I think being yourself is really key to this role because every case manager works differently and you’re only going to find your style if you just act like yourself. It’s important to take things from other people, and practise and incorporate that into your own work. But once you find your groove and your own way that you like to work, suddenly things start to become a bit easier.”

Supporting the rainbow community

Alongside working as a Case Manager, Cam is also a rainbow champion.

“So, what that means is, is that you’ve kind of identified yourself as a person at a site that you someone that staff can go to around things related to the rainbow community.”

He’s enjoyed being part of events and is looking forward to finding more ways to support the rainbow community.

“For example, with July being Pride Month. It was about decorating the space, acknowledging how far the rainbow community has come, and making our environment as welcoming as we could.

We also had Sweat with Pride, where you do as much exercise as you can for the month to raise money for agencies within the community, such as Rainbow Youth.

It was good to get staff on board with that as well - raising visibility, getting the name out there, raising money for a cause that is very close to my heart.”