Carla O'Connell
Bury St Edmunds,Suffolk
Summary
Motivated individual offers excellent communication and relationship-building skills to opportunities in mental health support work. Talented in listening and offering advise whilst listening to the young person's voice to aid positive outcomes. Flexible and adaptable for responsive practical and emotional assistance.
Dependable HLTA with more than 35 years of experience working with children aged 2 to 11. Excited to apply passion for working with children to develop strong, independent individuals.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work history
HLTA/Mental Health Champion
Sebert Wood Community Primary School
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
11.2010 - Current
- Plan, prepare and deliver lessons to classes.
- Provide safe, stimulating classroom environments to maximize student engagement and attainment.
- Developed and nurtured excellent relationships with students and staff, enhancing positive learning environments.
- Maintained sensitivity towards students with additional needs, continually improving their development and confidence.
- Established effective classroom routines by providing high-quality practical support to teaching staff.
- Prepared positive, productive learning environments with engaging wall displays and effective resources.
- Adhere to school policies and procedures.
- Following Keeping Children Safe in Education and the school's Safeguarding policy. Recording concerns on our CPOMs system.
- Support pupils in pastoral sessions, discussing strategies to help them in the school setting and to aid their well being.
- Being available for any student who needs a listening ear, to come and talk.
- Set up and oversee, pupil Well Being Champions within the school.
- Implemented and run a Super Sibling Group, providing support and a voice for those children who have siblings with SEND.
- Run coffee mornings for parents, to assist in the working relationship between the child, school and home.
- Held assemblies on topics, such as bullying, mental health.
Preschool assistant
Buttercups Preschool
Worthing, West Sussex
04.2010 - 05.2010
Registered childminder
Self Employed
Worthing, West Sussex
04.2007 - 12.2007
Registration and Inspection Officer
Richmond and Wandsworth Council
Twickenham, Richmond upon Thames
05.1999 - 03.2000
- Registered, advised and inspected childminders and preschools, ensuring they complied with the Children Act 1989
- Wrote reports and assessments
- Worked with and alongside other professionals in the health, education and fire departments
- Prepared and delivered training
Early Years Adviser
Suffolk County Council
Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk
07.1996 - 04.1999
- Very similar to that for Richmond Council
Project Worker (part time)
NCH Family Centre
Thetford, Norfolk
06.1998 - 01.1999
- Responsible for organising a Parent and Children Group, encouraging play and positive interaction between parents and their children
- Set up and ran a group for teenage mums
- Assisted with a sibling group, for children who have siblings with SEND
Nursery Manager
Cavendish Day Nursery
Cavendish, Suffolk
09.1994 - 07.1997
- Built and nourished excellent relationships with parents and carers by maintaining email correspondence and scheduling termly meetings.
- Facilitated smooth execution of daily nursery activities including lunchtimes, free play and student arrivals and departures.
- Worked in partnership with parents to address and resolve attendance, behaviour and progress issues.
- Planned logistics of nursery routine and local excursions, managing sufficient ratios and rotas.
- Managed team of 8 staff members within nursery setting.
- Maintained clean, safe play environments, disinfecting toys and surfaces regularly.
- Developed trusting relationships with children, parents and staff.
- Attended regular training opportunities to expand professional knowledge and further career progression.
- Delivered rich learning opportunities for children with diverse abilities.
- Applied paediatric first aid and managed incidents with calm and composure.
- Promoted emotional and social development of children, encouraging learning through play and sensory activities.
Deputy Manager
Chalmont Montessori Nursery
Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk
04.1989 - 09.1994
Education
Foundation Degree in Primary Teaching and Learning -
10.2011 - 07.2015
Higher Level Teaching Assistant Status -
03.2016 - 03.2017
AS Level - Psychology
09.2004 - 06.2005
Mental Health First Aider -
03.2019 - 03.2019
- Although I am too old to have GCSE's, I do have math and English CSE's
- Throughout my career, I have regularly undertaken many courses and training, such as: safe guarding, first aid, mental health and wellbeing, young carers.
Skills
- Pastoral care and listening skills
- Student engagement
- Behaviour modelling
- Relationship building
- Academic support
- Behaviour management
- Team player
Timeline
MHFA England - Mental Health First Aider,
03.2019 - 03.2019
The HLTA National Assessment Partnership - Higher Level Teaching Assistant Status,
03.2016 - 03.2017
The Open University - Foundation Degree in Primary Teaching and Learning,
10.2011 - 07.2015
HLTA/Mental Health Champion - Sebert Wood Community Primary School
11.2010 - Current
Preschool assistant - Buttercups Preschool
04.2010 - 05.2010
Registered childminder - Self Employed
04.2007 - 12.2007
Northbrook College Sussex - AS Level, Psychology
09.2004 - 06.2005
Registration and Inspection Officer - Richmond and Wandsworth Council
05.1999 - 03.2000
Project Worker (part time) - NCH Family Centre
06.1998 - 01.1999
Early Years Adviser - Suffolk County Council
07.1996 - 04.1999
Nursery Manager - Cavendish Day Nursery
09.1994 - 07.1997
Deputy Manager - Chalmont Montessori Nursery
04.1989 - 09.1994