ANTHONIA IGUODALA ASUEN
Gravesend,United Kingdom
Summary
Qualified Best Interests Assessor (BIA) and Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) with over 15 years of statutory social work experience in mental health safeguarding and complex care planning. Operates independently as a BIA and sessional AMHP, conducting complex assessments in hospital and community settings. Expertise in human rights legal literacy and multi-agency collaboration enhances service delivery. Proven leadership and mentoring skills contribute to improved outcomes for vulnerable adults.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Independent Social worker/Best Interest Assessor
Credence Direct LTD
Gravesend, United Kingdom
2021.01 - 2026.02
- Supported local authorities by carrying out independent assessments for deprivation of liberty safeguards (DoLS).
- Participated in the Royal Borough of Greenwich AMHP rota as a sessional AMHP.
- Assisted with triaging and provided guidance on community DoLS assessments at Medway Council from 2025.
CAMHS Crisis Clinician (Out of hours)
Oxleas NHS Trust – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services- Crisis Team
, United Kingdom
2019.11 - 2021.01
- Supported multi-disciplinary teams in addressing mental health crises for children and young people.
Assisted in conducting comprehensive assessments and developing safety plans in A&E departments.
Collaborated with various mental health agencies to ensure wellbeing of young individuals in distress.
Social Worker
Royal Borough of Greenwich – East Locality Mental Health Team
, United Kingdom
2016.07 - 2020.12
- Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary mental health team and external partners to provide interventions for service users with schizophrenia and bipolar.
- Assess needs of individuals with complex mental health issues and their carers.
- Engage with individuals to identify needs and enhance their quality of life.
- Communicate effectively with internal and external professionals to coordinate service responses.
- Establish, monitor, and review care plans using CPA policy and procedures.
- Contribute to budget control by prioritizing service user needs.
- Ensure welfare benefits are identified and met within legislative requirements.
- Conduct safeguarding investigations adhering to council policies.
Student Social Worker
Royal Borough of Greenwich – East Locality Mental Health Team
, United Kingdom
2015.10 - 2016.04
- Assisted multi-disciplinary mental health team members in providing interventions to service users with mental illnesses.
- Supported clients experiencing anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and trauma in achieving independent living.
- Conducted mental health assessments to identify service users' needs as part of a collaborative team.
- Facilitated the development of care and support plans in accordance with the Care Act 2014.
- Served as a keyworker for care programming and statutory aftercare support.
- Participated in duty rotas and managed referrals to the team.
- Guided service users in accessing additional support from external agencies and community networks.
- Promoted and safeguarded the welfare of vulnerable individuals, making referrals to social care services when necessary.
Contacts Assessment Officer
Royal Borough of Greenwich – Contacts Assessment Team
, United Kingdom
2015.05 - 2015.10
- Assisted members of the public by providing information on services offered by Royal Greenwich private, voluntary, and third sector agencies.
- Facilitated appropriate referrals to external agencies for individuals not eligible for community care services under Care Act 2014.
- Conducted initial assessments to determine eligibility for community care services.
- Acted as initial contact for safeguarding adults alerts, gathering sensitive and accurate information regarding alleged abuse.
- Responded to emergency reports involving vulnerable service users in immediate danger.
- Collected confidential health information to ensure timely referrals to community health services.
- Identified and assessed urgency and risks from received information, ensuring prompt managerial awareness.
- Processed referrals via fax and email to guarantee timely responses.
- Served as assessment officer for reviewing team from June to October 2015.
Social Worker Student
Royal Borough of Greenwich – Children and Families in Need Team
, United Kingdom
2015.01 - 2015.05
- Provided social work assistance and interventions to safeguard and promote welfare of children in need.
- Ensured children maintain reasonable standards of health and development through effective support.
- Facilitated secure attachments between children and their parents or carers for a sense of permanence.
Independent Support Planner
Greenwich Carers Centre
, United Kingdom
2014.04 - 2015.04
- Supported service users and carers in identifying support needs and available social care services.
- Assisted families and friends in developing personalised support plans using effective communication skills.
- Collaborated with professionals across health, social, and voluntary sectors to enhance the planning process.
- Recognised potential risks of abuse and referred individuals to safeguarding services when necessary.
- Facilitated access to carer assessments and completed documentation for service users and their carers.
- Maintained accurate and timely data entry into service user records and financial management systems.
- Adhered to agreed timescales during the support planning process.
Support Worker
Central Recruitment Services
, United Kingdom
2014.12 - 2015.02
- Supported various organisations as an ad hoc agency support worker.
- Assisted in a ten-bed hostel for young people aged 16 – 21 with high support needs, addressing challenging behaviours and mental health issues.
- Contributed to an 85-bed hostel for homeless individuals with substance misuse issues, providing practical and emotional support to help maintain their homes.
- Facilitated life skills enablement and catering services as required within a 54-bed hostel, aiding residents with alcohol, drugs, and mental health challenges.
- Managed challenging behaviours confidently in an 18-bed unit for men with severe mental health issues, using radios and panic alarms effectively.
Care Manager
Royal Borough of Greenwich – Community Rehabilitation Team -Adults/Older People
, United Kingdom
2013.01 - 2014.11
- Completing community care assessment of individuals needs within an integrated team of health and social care professionals.
- Monitor and review service user’s needs.
- Undertaking multi-agency panel process assessments for care home placements. Identifying, alerting, and referring any safeguarding issue[s] to the Team Manager and following up with an investigation if necessary. Completing Mental Capacity Act and other associated assessments, e.g., Best Interest Assessment.
- Undertaking meetings with service users, carers, families, multi-disciplinary agencies, and organisations to coordinate assessments and reports.
- Working in partnerships, creatively and in a flexible manner using problem-solving and enabling techniques to manage risk and resolving difficulties which will have a significant impact on service users and carers.
- Providing intensive screening, information and advice using essential high-level skills and detailed knowledge of current policies, procedures and legislation regarding service delivery and signpost service users to appropriate teams as required.
- Engaging in supervision and work-related training.
- Completing any other work appropriate to my job role, which has included covering staff absences for the Hospital Discharge and Contact Assessment Teams.
Assessment Officer
Royal Borough of Greenwich – Safeguarding and Reviewing Team -Adults/Older People
, United Kingdom
2012.05 - 2013.01
- Supported adults and older individuals in homes and community settings to assess and monitor service provision within eligibility criteria.
- Conducted comprehensive needs screenings and assessments using detailed knowledge of current policies and legislation regarding service delivery.
- Signposted individuals to alternative services when contact fell outside of eligibility criteria.
- Prioritised risk factors and responded to emergencies under supervision.
- Completed referrals to appropriate teams with relevant information impacting service users and/or carers.
- Developed care plans for service users and carers using care management models under supervision.
- Addressed safeguarding concerns for adults while under supervision.
- Responded to unscheduled events as directed by line manager and ensured performance indicators were met.
Assistant House Manager
Royal Borough of Greenwich - Learning and Physical Disability Care home
, United Kingdom
2009.05 - 2012.05
- Assisted house manager in daily operations of residential unit for individuals with learning disabilities.
- Supported implementation of high-quality care standards as required by quality and inspection units.
- Followed departmental and council policies to ensure compliance with care procedures.
Bank Health Care Assistant
NHS Professionals
2008.10 - 2009.07
- Oversaw care delivery for older patients at Camden Hospital, ensuring adherence to health protocols.
Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient well-being in the older people ward.
Monitored patient conditions and reported changes to nursing staff promptly.
Banks Support worker
Yarrow Housing
, United Kingdom
2007.10 - 2009.07
- Provided essential support services to vulnerable young people aged 16-25 experiencing homelessness.
- Assisted individuals with learning disabilities and acquired brain injuries in completing daily activities.
- Delivered compassionate care as a care assistant in various agency environments.
Senior Support Worker /Deputy Manager
United Response TUPE Epic Trust - Learning Disability supported living project
, United Kingdom
2006.02 - 2009.05
- Assisted adults with complex needs in personal care and daily living activities.
- Supported tenants in maintaining personal appearance and hygiene.
- Facilitated participation in community activities, enhancing social connections with families and friends.
- Acted as keyworker for tenants, overseeing personal care, health management, and daily lifestyle tasks.
- Monitored and implemented individual life plans tailored to clients' evolving needs.
- Ensured safeguarding of tenants' finances and property during shifts.
- Executed administrative tasks, including petty cash handling and record-keeping.
- Organised household operations in absence of manager.
Education
PGDip - Advanced Mental Health Practice
Bournemouth University
United Kingdom 2019.09 - 2020.04
Master of Arts - Social Work
London Southbank University
London, United Kingdom 2014.09 - 2016.06
Level 5 Diploma & NVQ 4 - Leadership for Health and Social Care
Greenwich Community College
London, United Kingdom 2010.09 - 2012.07
Postgraduate Certificate - Managing in Health & Social Care
University of Westminster
London, United Kingdom 2010.09 - 2011.03
CIH Level 3 National Certificate - Housing supported Housing
Lewisham College
London, United Kingdom 2007.09 - 2008.07
NVQ Level 3 - Health and social care
Manley summers training services
London, United Kingdom 2006.09 - 2007.07
Bachelor of Arts - English
Ambrose Alli University
Ekpoma, Nigeria 1997.08 - 2000.06
Skills
- Advocacy for service users
- Active listening
- Empathy and inclusivity
- Decision-making empowerment
- Assessment and troubleshooting
- Problem-solving skills
- Planning and coordination
- Evidence-based interventions
- Cultural competence
- Non-judgmental attitude
- Collaboration with professionals
- Communication skills
- Multidisciplinary teamwork
References
Reference available on request
Areas of Specialty
- Children, Family and Young people
- Mental Health
- Adults and Older people
- CAMHS
- Nil Recourse to Public funds
- Physical and Learning Disability
- Substance misuse
- Homelessness
- Housing
Timeline
Independent Social worker/Best Interest Assessor
Credence Direct LTD
2021.01 - 2026.02
CAMHS Crisis Clinician (Out of hours)
Oxleas NHS Trust – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services- Crisis Team
2019.11 - 2021.01
PGDip - Advanced Mental Health Practice
Bournemouth University
2019.09 - 2020.04
Social Worker
Royal Borough of Greenwich – East Locality Mental Health Team
2016.07 - 2020.12
Student Social Worker
Royal Borough of Greenwich – East Locality Mental Health Team
2015.10 - 2016.04
Contacts Assessment Officer
Royal Borough of Greenwich – Contacts Assessment Team
2015.05 - 2015.10
Social Worker Student
Royal Borough of Greenwich – Children and Families in Need Team
2015.01 - 2015.05
Support Worker
Central Recruitment Services
2014.12 - 2015.02
Master of Arts - Social Work
London Southbank University
2014.09 - 2016.06
Independent Support Planner
Greenwich Carers Centre
2014.04 - 2015.04
Care Manager
Royal Borough of Greenwich – Community Rehabilitation Team -Adults/Older People
2013.01 - 2014.11
Assessment Officer
Royal Borough of Greenwich – Safeguarding and Reviewing Team -Adults/Older People
2012.05 - 2013.01
Level 5 Diploma & NVQ 4 - Leadership for Health and Social Care
Greenwich Community College
2010.09 - 2012.07
Postgraduate Certificate - Managing in Health & Social Care
University of Westminster
2010.09 - 2011.03
Assistant House Manager
Royal Borough of Greenwich - Learning and Physical Disability Care home
2009.05 - 2012.05
Bank Health Care Assistant
NHS Professionals
2008.10 - 2009.07
Banks Support worker
Yarrow Housing
2007.10 - 2009.07
CIH Level 3 National Certificate - Housing supported Housing
Lewisham College
2007.09 - 2008.07
NVQ Level 3 - Health and social care
Manley summers training services
2006.09 - 2007.07
Senior Support Worker /Deputy Manager
United Response TUPE Epic Trust - Learning Disability supported living project
2006.02 - 2009.05
Bachelor of Arts - English
Ambrose Alli University
1997.08 - 2000.06