Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Languages
Certification
Affiliations
About Me
Timeline
Generic

Bernadette Freeman

Kirriemuir,Angus

Summary

Dedicated professional with extensive expertise in special educational needs and mental health support. Demonstrates strong relationship-building skills and a proactive approach to identifying issues, fostering an inclusive learning environment. Proficient in autism spectrum disorder understanding, ADHD strategies implementation, and dyslexia support techniques. Utilises creativity in teaching strategies and sensitivity towards cultural differences to encourage participation and promote positive behaviour. Committed to health and safety compliance, with a focus on using assistive technology for numeracy support and learning difficulty assistance.

Skilled in behavioural management and individualised learning plans to enhance student engagement and academic progress.

Skilled in collaborating with educators and parents to ensure a cohesive support system.

Offering strong interpersonal skills and genuine enthusiasm for supporting students' educational journey. Knowledgeable about creating positive learning environment and fostering student engagement.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience
13
13
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification

Work history

Career Break

Temporary Contract
Kirriemuir, Angus
05.2025 - Current

Supply Staff and Pupil Support Assistant

Angus Council
Kirriemuir, Angus
03.2025 - 05.2025
  • Facilitated unsupervised one-to-one support for 6 pupils needing additional assistance with schoolwork.
  • Developed independent learning skills among students to enhance academic performance.
  • Assisted with toileting needs and personal care to ensure student well-being.
  • Executed tasks requested by teachers to support teaching processes effectively.
  • Maintained confidentiality of behavioural and academic records for regular staff meetings.
  • Collaborated as key member of close-knit team to promote effective learning environments.
  • Handled sensitive situations like bullying or conflicts between students promptly and effectively.
  • Provided pastoral care for improved student wellbeing.
  • Administered first aid as needed, ensuring student safety at all times.
  • Established safe learning environment with strict adherence to school policies.
  • Arranged classroom materials, creating organised and inviting space for learning.
  • Supervised playtimes and lunch breaks, promoting healthy social interaction among pupils.

Career Break

Mother had serious stroke
Kirriemuir, Angus
02.2025 - 03.2025

Housekeeper

Royal Hotel
Forfar, Angus
09.2024 - 02.2025
  • Ensure guests are greeted warmly and checked into and out of rooms.
  • Kept housekeeping trolleys well-stocked, reporting low supplies to management for prompt reordering.
  • Swept and vacuumed floors, hallways and stairwells, keeping public areas immaculately well-presented.
  • Meet guests' needs by delivering top-notch hospitality services during their stay.
  • Replaced sheets, duvets and pillowcases daily, maintaining spotless presentation standards.
  • Serviced bathrooms with fresh supplies and regular cleaning.
  • Provided high-quality cleaning services on 30 rooms daily, working efficiently to meet timeframe demands.

Career Break

Sudden loss of father caused mental health issues
Forfar, Angus
10.2023 - 09.2024

Staff and Pupil Support Assistant

Angus Council: Webster's High School
Kirriemuir, Angus
11.2022 - 10.2023
  • Responsible for providing ancillary support for teachers.
  • Provide support on unsupervised one to one basis for pupils who need additional help with their daily school work.
  • Help develop independent learning skills.
  • Assist with toileting needs and personal care.
  • Perform any tasks requested by teachers to aid teaching process.
  • Work as key member of close knit team.
  • Maintain confidentiality of all forms of recording with regards to behavioural and academic progress for regular meetings with teaching staff and other professionals.
  • Perform daily break and lunch hall duties.

Reason for leaving: Didn’t cope with sudden passing of Dad in 2022 and unfortunately mental health issues temporarily caused me to no longer be able to fulfil job role to best of my ability.

Supply Staff and Pupil Support Assistant

Angus Council: Forfar Academy
Forfar, Angus
08.2021 - 11.2022
  • Responsible for providing ancillary support for teachers.
  • Responsible for providing administration support for office staff.
  • Provide support on unsupervised one to one basis for pupils who need additional help with their daily school work.
  • Assist with toileting needs and personal care.
  • Often called upon to form strategies to assist 10 additional needs pupils in their learning, often in unsupervised one to one environment.
  • Help develop independent learning skills.
  • Perform any tasks requested by teachers to aid in teaching process.
  • Work as key member of close knit team.
  • Maintain confidentiality of all forms of recording with regards to behavioural and academic progress for regular meetings with teaching staff and other professionals.
  • Perform Lunch hall duties.

Reason for leaving: Employment at Forfar Academy was on supply contract, unfortunately circumstances changed requiring permanent contract.

Career Break

Required Further Cancer Treatment
Forfar, Angus
03.2021 - 08.2021

Team Member

Euro Garages
Forfar, Angus
12.2020 - 03.2021
  • Rotational preparation of savouries in preparation for cooking off.
  • Setting up of 4 sweet and 6 savoury displays.
  • Prepare and display fresh made baguettes and rolls.
  • Take, prepare and serve customer orders.
  • Till operation to take customer cash / card payments.
  • Regular cleaning of store to exceptionally high standard whilst following Covid regulations.
  • Accurate written record keeping of stock rotation, food waste, temperatures of heating and refrigeration equipment.

Reason for leaving: Went back to work too soon after breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Career Break

Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
Forfar, Angus
04.2020 - 12.2020

Production Assistant

Macintosh of Strathmore, Strathmore Foods Limited
Forfar, Angus
08.2019 - 04.2020
  • Responsible for daily assembly, programming and operation of Treif Puma slice machine.
  • Responsible for assembly, programming and operation of Grotte multi-slice machine as and when required.
  • Responsible for daily assembly and operation of single line depositor machine.
  • Responsible for daily contribution to efficient running of Ready Meals department whilst Provide support to other colleagues to help achieve production requirements.
  • Reason for leaving: Diagnosed with Breast Cancer 03/03/2020.

Commis Chef/Kitchen Assistant

Finavon Hotel
Finavon, Angus
06.2019 - 08.2019
  • Responsible for keeping kitchen clean to exceptionally high standard.
  • Ensure all stock deliveries are received and stored correctly.
  • Responsible for salad and vegetable preparation.
  • Prepare fillings for and make: Sandwiches, wraps, rolls and ciabattas.
  • Prepare and make starters and desserts.
  • Prepare and make soup on daily basis.
  • Cook breakfasts for residents and customers of busy coffee shop.
  • Assist Head Chef with preparation and service of lunchtime and evening meals.

Reason for leaving: Moved house, causing lack of access to regular public transport due to remote location of organisation.

Supply Staff and Pupil Support Assistant

Angus Council: Tannadice Primary
Tannadice, Angus
06.2018 - 06.2019
  • Responsible for providing ancillary support for 8 teachers.
  • Provide support on unsupervised one to one basis for severely autistic child who needed additional help with their daily school work.
  • Assist with toileting needs and personal care.
  • Often called upon to form strategies to assist other additional needs children in their learning, often in unsupervised one to one environment.
  • Help develop independent learning skills.
  • Perform any tasks requested by teachers to aid in teaching process.
  • Often called upon to de-escalate and calm situations involving additional needs children.
  • Worked as key member of close knit team.
  • Maintained confidential daily records of behavioural and academic progress for regular official meetings with parents, teaching staff and medical professionals.
  • Attended regular progress meetings with parents, teachers and medical staff.
  • Perform Playground and lunch hall duties.

Reason for leaving: Temporary Contract.

Carer for Disabled Mother

Home Care
Noranbank, Angus
10.2008 - 03.2019

Performed help with daily living needs to enable increase in independence

  • Bathing and toileting
  • Dressing
  • Shopping
  • Cooking
  • Administering and monitoring of medications
  • Transporting to all appointments
  • Provide entertainment

Reason for leaving: Mother moved to own independent living accommodation.

Education

SVQ level 1 - Using Information Technology

Glenrothes College
RAF Leuchars, Fife
03.2002 - 04.2003

SVQ level 2 - Using Information Technology

Glenrothes College
RAF Leuchars, Fife
03.2002 - 04.2003

City & Guilds 7061 - Catering & Hospitality

Elmwood College
Cupar, Fife
09.1986 - 09.1987

City & Guilds 7062 - Catering & Hospitality

Elmwood College
Cupar, Fife
09.1987 - 09.1988

‘O’ Grade - English

Bell Baxter High School
Cupar, Fife
08.1984 - 06.1986

‘O’ Grade - Art

Bell Baxter High School
Cupar, Fife
08.1984 - 06.1986

‘O’ Grade - History

Bell Baxter High School
Cupar, Fife
08.1984 - 06.1986

‘O’ Grade - Biology

Bell Baxter High School
Cupar, Fife
08.1984 - 06.1986

‘O’ Grade - Math

Bell Baxter High School
Cupar, Fife
08.1984 - 06.1986

Skills

  • Resilience under pressure
  • Patience and empathy
  • Positive behaviour promotion
  • Strong relationship building
  • Special educational needs knowledge
  • Positive reinforcement usage
  • Behavioural Management
  • Tutoring experience

Languages

English
Native

Certification

Disclosure Scotland PVG - Vulnerable Adults and Vulnerable Children

First Aid Certified

Advanced Course - Awareness of Type 1 Diabetes in Schools and Other Settings
Trauma informed practice
C.A.L.M (Crisis and Aggression Limitations Management)
Medication administration

Affiliations

I have many hobbies but my favourites are pyrography and acrylic work. I am currently teaching myself the art of etching and candle making.

I am very musical, and get great delight listening to music and playing my kalimba and thumb drum.

About Me

As well as having experience supporting  pupils with complex disabilities I also have experience supporting Looked After Children. From this I have gained more experience and improvement in my observation skills enabling me to better see trigger signs through a pupils body language, I have also gained more experience and improvement to my listening skills enabling me to hear a pupils' needs through their verbal language and behaviours, giving me the confidence required to de-escalate situations that could potentially become volatile. I am very confident supporting young people in a complex needs setting following strict scripts to enable engagement whilst being continuously aware of all environments, making risk assessments accordingly.
I have gained a lifetime of skills from being part of the care team for my younger brother, where I would help de-escalate violent situations brought on by his major meltdowns due to him being born with complex frontal lobe brain damage.
I am empathetic, compassionate and trustworthy, I have excellent time keeping, attendance and record keeping. I pride myself on my communication skills.
I am very focused and driven. I enjoy a challenge and I am always eager to learn. I am highly organised and dedicated to everything I do.
I am a very positive and hardworking individual that is flexible and adaptable. I enjoy working as part of a team as well as on my own with a high degree of self discipline.

Timeline

Career Break

Temporary Contract
05.2025 - Current

Supply Staff and Pupil Support Assistant

Angus Council
03.2025 - 05.2025

Career Break

Mother had serious stroke
02.2025 - 03.2025

Housekeeper

Royal Hotel
09.2024 - 02.2025

Career Break

Sudden loss of father caused mental health issues
10.2023 - 09.2024

Staff and Pupil Support Assistant

Angus Council: Webster's High School
11.2022 - 10.2023

Supply Staff and Pupil Support Assistant

Angus Council: Forfar Academy
08.2021 - 11.2022

Career Break

Required Further Cancer Treatment
03.2021 - 08.2021

Team Member

Euro Garages
12.2020 - 03.2021

Career Break

Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
04.2020 - 12.2020

Production Assistant

Macintosh of Strathmore, Strathmore Foods Limited
08.2019 - 04.2020

Commis Chef/Kitchen Assistant

Finavon Hotel
06.2019 - 08.2019

Supply Staff and Pupil Support Assistant

Angus Council: Tannadice Primary
06.2018 - 06.2019

Carer for Disabled Mother

Home Care
10.2008 - 03.2019

SVQ level 1 - Using Information Technology

Glenrothes College
03.2002 - 04.2003

SVQ level 2 - Using Information Technology

Glenrothes College
03.2002 - 04.2003

City & Guilds 7062 - Catering & Hospitality

Elmwood College
09.1987 - 09.1988

City & Guilds 7061 - Catering & Hospitality

Elmwood College
09.1986 - 09.1987

‘O’ Grade - English

Bell Baxter High School
08.1984 - 06.1986

‘O’ Grade - Art

Bell Baxter High School
08.1984 - 06.1986

‘O’ Grade - History

Bell Baxter High School
08.1984 - 06.1986

‘O’ Grade - Biology

Bell Baxter High School
08.1984 - 06.1986

‘O’ Grade - Math

Bell Baxter High School
08.1984 - 06.1986
Bernadette Freeman