Alan McGuffog
Exeter,Devon
Summary
Dedicated professional with strong communication skills and a proactive approach to work. Known for attention to detail and the ability to foster positive relationships in team settings. Committed to leveraging a background in finance and mental health support to contribute effectively in dynamic environments.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
17
17
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Finance and Public Value Apprentice
Devon County Council, Exeter
2024.11 - 2025.12
- Undertaking administrative tasks such as responding to mailbox queries, dealing with customer complaints over phone, messaging relevant departments, data input and retrieval.
- Performing a range of financial related activities including: raising purchase orders, updating spreadsheet with financial transactions, claiming back money through grants, setting up new suppliers on system and processing invoices ensuring they go to the correct individuals for approval.
- Praised for my ability to learn on the job and work ethic which meant I regularly hit target of verifying 100 invoices per day while maintaining high professionalism on phones.
- I am familiar with Onbase, Finest, Verify, Unit 4 and Proactis finance systems.
Voluntary Mental Health Work & Peer Support (Ad Hoc)
Viewpoint, Hertfordshire
2018.09 - 2021.12
- I served as a member of the Viewpoint User Voice Council, including a period as ‘interim chair’; making decisions around how the organisation should operate, engage members more effectively, train others and be completely user led.
- I was part of the communication & marketing subgroup which focused on producing the new website and have been on interview panels.
- I have given talks on mental health in a variety of settings including at the annual HPFT NHS Recovery Conference and in schools. This included sharing my own personal recovery journey.
- Led and facilitated online peer support groups whereby I achieved highly competent on all 7 criteria while gaining peer support qualification.
SEN LSA
St Augustine’s Primary School, Hoddesdon
2019.02 - 2021.08
- Supported multiple children with SEN to enhance their learning and overall school experience through a range of strategies and interventions tailored around them.
- I liaised with the class teacher, head of SEN and parents/carers on a regular basis to ensure all targets were met and necessary paperwork kept up to date.
- Praised highly by Square 1 Support and Hertfordshire County for the provisions made for autistic pupils including: visual timetables, visual cards, timers and ear defenders kept nearby/used effectively, clarity given with balanced options, thorough records maintained and the significance of the quality of relationship had with child and carers.
- 1:1 online lesson’s given during COVID so that progress was made with impactful and engaging interactive teaching.
- I also worked as part of the wrap around care at the school having daily breakfast club responsibilities.
Deputy Manager
Aldi, Hoddesdon
2017.11 - 2018.02
- Led and managed night shifts overseeing 4 employees.
- Responsible for providing fantastic customer service and dealing with complaints.
- Stock taking, replenishing, rotation, carding, cleaning, store walks, operating and managing tills.
- Consistently high till speed; scanning 200 more items than store target while maintaining high customer service.
- Ensured that store reliably achieved its standard tests and revenue targets.
Mentoring Project Manager & CYP Community Worker
Hope in Tottenham, North London
2015.10 - 2017.11
- Managing and administrating all aspects of the HiT Mentoring programme: recruiting and training mentors, liaising with local Prince’s Trust courses to connect with mentees, establishing links with local employers, updating database, report writing, fundraising, managing budget, income and payments of project.
- Sent 20 young people to 15 prestigious boarding schools throughout the UK with full scholarships/bursaries. Supporting in application stage, organising taster visits, feedback sessions and information evenings. Liaising with all stakeholders, ongoing mentoring and school visits with progress updates.
- Leading children’s and youth clubs including coaching two football teams weekly. One-to-one and group mentoring sessions in 4 different schools ages 7-15.
Learning Mentor
Angel Oak Academy, Peckham
2014.11 - 2015.11
- Assessed and developed short-term programmes for 40+ children who needed social, emotional and behavioural support.
- Used a wide range of techniques and strategies to achieve the agreed upon targets.
- Areas of expertise (1:1): anger management, drawing with talking and nurturing play.
- Group work: social skills, transitions, circle time, restorative justice/conflict resolution.
- Established strong parental and community links with PTAs, coffee mornings, PCSO training and discussions.
- Organised and ran the School Council, the Rights Respecting School Association and lunch times/playtimes.
- Led several afterschool clubs, organised school trips and sporting tournaments.
SEN Learning mentor (Afterschool club and IT Coordinator)
New End Primary, Hampstead
2012.04 - 2014.08
- IT Coordinator: budgeting, ordering, installing products, repairing faulty items, logging reports, setting up code club, teaching staff and taking some IT lessons, general admin, reviewing IT policies and implementing the new IT curriculum.
- After-School Club Coordinator: General admin, ensuring the smooth running of 15 weekly clubs, phoning up parents, writing letters home, receiving money and banking it.
- Working 1:1 and in groups with SEN focus: social skills, transition groups and individual programmes to develop growth.
- Delivered catch up literacy and numeracy interventions. In charge of whole school newsletter.
- Liaised with teachers and parents, fill out reports and reviewed progress regularly.
- Involved in setting specific targets and reviews of children with head of SEN, parents/carers and other agencies.
Education
PGD Psychological Therapies Practice
Exeter University
2026.01 - 2026.02
BSc - Counselling
University of East London
2021.09 - 2024.12
Counselling Skills (levels 2 & 3)
Place2Be, London
2019.09 - 2020.12
Theology Degree
American Bible College, Online
2011.09 - 2014.04
Theology (level 4 Certificate of Higher Education)
Spurgeon’s College, London
2009.09 - 2010.08
Business Studies (B), History (B) & Religious Studies (B) - A level
St Boniface’s College, Plymouth
2005.09 - 2007.07
General Studies (A) & Psychology (C) – AS-level
St Boniface’s College, Plymouth
2005.09 - 2007.07
10 Subjects including Math’s and English A-C (GCSE)
St Boniface’s College, Plymouth
2000.09 - 2005.07
Skills
- Communication skills
- Team building
- Strong work initiative
- Attention to detail
- Customer service
- Time management
- Problem-solving
ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Business Administration (MBKB) 12/2024
- Safeguarding Children 02/2024
- ImROC Peer Support Training/Qualification 07/2021
- Mental Health Champions Foundation 10/2020
- IT User Skills (level 2) 08/2019
- Coaching Football (FA level 1) 02/2016
- Induction Training L3-4 Learning Mentors 02/2014
- Induction Integrated working CYP (level 2) 08/2009
Accomplishments
Vice Chancellor's Scholarship Award 2021-2024
HOBBIES AND INTERESTS
Long walks in nature, running, football, tennis, cricket, snooker, audiobooks, photography, coffee, socialising, going to the cinema and listening to a wide range of music.
OTHER EMPLOYMENT
- All Souls Clubhouse (Charity), London Community worker (Children, youth and elderly) September 2011 – October 2015
- Prospero Teaching (Agency), South & East London SEN 1:1 and Learning Mentor September 2011 – April 2012
- All Souls Clubhouse (Charity), London Youth Worker Intern August 2010 – August 2011
- Beckenham Baptist Church (Course), South London Student Minister September 2009 – July 2010
- Urban Warriors Project (Voluntary), Yeovil Community worker (Children, youth and schools) September 2007 – August 2009
- Moss Bros, Plymouth Sales Assistant August 2006 – August 2007
REFERENCES
Available upon request.
Timeline
PGD Psychological Therapies Practice
Exeter University
2026.01 - 2026.02
Finance and Public Value Apprentice
Devon County Council, Exeter
2024.11 - 2025.12
BSc - Counselling
University of East London
2021.09 - 2024.12
Counselling Skills (levels 2 & 3)
Place2Be, London
2019.09 - 2020.12
SEN LSA
St Augustine’s Primary School, Hoddesdon
2019.02 - 2021.08
Voluntary Mental Health Work & Peer Support (Ad Hoc)
Viewpoint, Hertfordshire
2018.09 - 2021.12
Deputy Manager
Aldi, Hoddesdon
2017.11 - 2018.02
Mentoring Project Manager & CYP Community Worker
Hope in Tottenham, North London
2015.10 - 2017.11
Learning Mentor
Angel Oak Academy, Peckham
2014.11 - 2015.11
SEN Learning mentor (Afterschool club and IT Coordinator)
New End Primary, Hampstead
2012.04 - 2014.08
Theology Degree
American Bible College, Online
2011.09 - 2014.04
Theology (level 4 Certificate of Higher Education)
Spurgeon’s College, London
2009.09 - 2010.08
Business Studies (B), History (B) & Religious Studies (B) - A level
St Boniface’s College, Plymouth
2005.09 - 2007.07
General Studies (A) & Psychology (C) – AS-level
St Boniface’s College, Plymouth
2005.09 - 2007.07
10 Subjects including Math’s and English A-C (GCSE)
St Boniface’s College, Plymouth
2000.09 - 2005.07