A highly motivated, pro-active safeguarding professional with a demonstrable experience increasing area numbers within two different charities, as well as consistently hitting targets in areas where targets had not been hit for over a year. Qualified to degree level , holds a Level 5 in Management and has proven experience within Safeguarding at a College supporting Young People and beyond, delivering workshops to large groups, and creating and developing educational safeguarding programs.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
year of post-secondary education
Work History
Head Coach of Devon
Dogs Trust
Exeter, Devon
12.2023 - Current
Prevent rehoming of animals through education on welfare and behaviour. Travel throughout the UK to provide 121s, classes, workshops, webinars, and presentations on behaviour and coach people specifically through these issues.
Area underperforming when first employed, and were looking at shutting/merging with Dorset, now hitting 148%-200% in KPIs and improving the lives of 100s of Dogs and Owners all achieved within a 12 month period.
Offering tailored training, workshops, presentations, and materials at events or conferences to educate owners on the features, benefits, and responsible ownership principles as wider aspect per Dog's Trust's guideline.
Provide CPD to Veterinary clinics in area to improve understanding of reasons behind rehoming and how to decrease likelihood of pets being rehomed.
Undertake all performance management activities (1 – 1, appraisals etc). Including recognising when team requires additional coaching from an alternative development.
Seek out new opportunities for the development of their school in the area, generating reports on current uptake and performance to support informed strategies.
Ensure all the administration is undertaken across the team in a timely manner. Competently and accurately use the bespoke Dog's Trust CRM system whilst supporting owners through their journey with Dog School.
Canine Behaviourist
The Naked Whippet
Exeter, Devon
08.2016 - 12.2023
Self employed position demonstrating my intrinsic motivation as a self starter.
Utilisation of operant and classical conditioning to drive behaviour change within humans and animals.
Committed to improving the intraspecific relationship with positive affects on animal welfare.
Utilised various marketing strategies through socials, in person, website etc. to build from nothing to a high traffic business with 40 x 5* reviews.
Timely and effective communication via teams, social media, phone, text and email inc. report writing.
Liaising with other professionals such as Vets, Physios, Hydros's, and Nutritionists to ensure a well rounded multifaceted approach to care and behaviour.
Safeguarding Officer
Bicton College
Budleigh Salterton, Devon
01.2021 - 01.2023
Promoted to Head of Children in Care after just 12 months, completed PEPs, a statutory legal requirement, TAFs and issued PREVENT referrals.
Built and maintained relationships with students, parents, carers and external agencies such as police and social services to maximise support available to the students.
Chaired large multi-agency meetings, to minimise risk of harm to vulnerable young persons.
Attended conferences and events to build relationships across channels.
Ensured strict confidentiality of student information through the secure and appropriate filing and storage of safeguarding documents.
Maintained accurate records of potentially harmful activities using pro-monitor, providing further information to designated safeguarding lead as appropriate.
Sensitively supported 30+ students who were navigating difficult situations, offering a safe space to talk and providing relevant assistance.
Puppy Co-ordinator
Dogs For Good
Banbury, Oxfordshire
06.2018 - 01.2021
Oversee the socialisation, health and welfare of puppies throughout the whole of the South West, from 8 weeks until 18 months, supporting them through two or more different home changes.
Brought in when the area was under performing, with just 4 volunteer socialisers. Through implementation of new marketing strategies and passionate performance, increased area to 35 volunteer socialisers.
Support the training and development of socialisers and other staff members in their practical handling and understanding of learning theory.
Worked closely with the Breeding Supply Manager to partner brood bitches with solid stud dogs to increase likelihood of puppies successfully completing training and becoming qualified assistance dogs.
During COVID, support socialisers in south west and north west from home utilising a variety of different modes of media (teams, zoom, email etc.) increasing numbers to over 100 socialisers.
Create and implement behaviour modification plans designed to utilise PRT and change behaviour with welfare as a key priority.
KCGC and Competitive Obedience Instructor
Exeter Dog Training Club
Exeter, Devon
01.2013 - 01.2020
Provide practical handling instruction to large classes (8 - 10) with ability ranging from beginner to competition level obedience.
Initiate and follow to completion the fundamental change of training style from Dominance Theory to psychology based positive reinforcement training.
Monitor the understanding and learning of positive based training in other members of the team to ensure a cohesive, smooth transition as a club.
Create lesson plans for group classes and utilise a teaching assistant in the class whilst also facilitating theoretical and practical learning for the assistant.
Educated an estimated 300 owners (two classes a week over a period of 6 years) about canine welfare, ethology and responsible dog ownership, resolved concerns and defended training methods when challenged.
Education
Certificate of Higher Education - Level 5 Management and Leadership
Exeter College
Bachelor of Science - Canine Behaviour and Management
University of Hull
Kingston upon Hull
Foundation Degree in Science - Applied Canine Behaviour and Training
University of Hull
Certificate of Higher Education. - Canine Behaviour and Training
University of Hull
09.2021 - 01.2023
A-Levels - English Language, Creative Writing, Drama and Theatre Studies
Exeter College
GCSE -
West Exe School
Skills
Extensive experience planning complex travel throughout the EU and America
Able to multi-task and maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail whilst working with a number of conflicting demands and deadlines
Experience working as Puppy Co-ordinator
Timeline
Head Coach of Devon
Dogs Trust
12.2023 - Current
Certificate of Higher Education. - Canine Behaviour and Training
University of Hull
09.2021 - 01.2023
Safeguarding Officer
Bicton College
01.2021 - 01.2023
Puppy Co-ordinator
Dogs For Good
06.2018 - 01.2021
Canine Behaviourist
The Naked Whippet
08.2016 - 12.2023
KCGC and Competitive Obedience Instructor
Exeter Dog Training Club
01.2013 - 01.2020
Certificate of Higher Education - Level 5 Management and Leadership
Exeter College
Bachelor of Science - Canine Behaviour and Management
University of Hull
Foundation Degree in Science - Applied Canine Behaviour and Training
University of Hull
A-Levels - English Language, Creative Writing, Drama and Theatre Studies