Melissa Powney

Melissa Powney is a Senior Education Consultant with over a decade of experience in trauma-responsive practice across education, out-of-home care, mental health, and family violence sectors. Qualified in Social Work and Developmental Trauma, she specialises in therapeutic assessment, advocacy, and holistic support for children, young people, and families.

Melissa is passionate about making theory practical. She designs and facilitates tailored training for diverse professional groups, delivering both accredited and non-accredited programs nationally. She also delivers and assesses the Graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma, providing academic instruction and student support.

Melissa provides consultation, supervision, and reflective practice to educators, residential care teams, and allied professionals. She facilitates group and individual sessions, focusing on psychosocial education and sharing real-world applications. Her relational approach consistently supports meaningful change across systems and services.

Melissa began her career with the Australian Childhood Foundation (ACF) in a therapeutic partnership program within Out-of-Home Care. In this role, she completed therapeutic assessments, conducted carer home visits, and supervised agency staff. More recently, she has worked extensively with schools and education departments across Australia, including remote and regional South Australia, supporting the implementation of whole-school trauma-informed approaches that build safety, regulation, and connection.

Melissa’s core passion is ensuring the adults around children know how to create healing, meaningful moments for those who need it most. She is committed to bridging the gap between knowledge and action, empowering practitioners to confidently respond with care, insight, and compassion.