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
2010.11 - 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
2010.04 - 2010.05
Registered childminder
Self Employed
Worthing, West Sussex
2007.04 - 2007.12
Registration and Inspection Officer
Richmond and Wandsworth Council
Twickenham, Richmond upon Thames
1999.05 - 2000.03
- 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
1996.07 - 1999.04
- Very similar to that for Richmond Council
Project Worker (part time)
NCH Family Centre
Thetford, Norfolk
1998.06 - 1999.01
- 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
1994.09 - 1997.07
- 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
1989.04 - 1994.09
Education
Foundation Degree in Primary Teaching and Learning -
2011.10 - 2015.07
Higher Level Teaching Assistant Status -
2016.03 - 2017.03
AS Level - Psychology
2004.09 - 2005.06
Mental Health First Aider -
2019.03 - 2019.03
- 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,
2019.03 - 2019.03
The HLTA National Assessment Partnership - Higher Level Teaching Assistant Status,
2016.03 - 2017.03
The Open University - Foundation Degree in Primary Teaching and Learning,
2011.10 - 2015.07
HLTA/Mental Health Champion - Sebert Wood Community Primary School
2010.11 - Current
Preschool assistant - Buttercups Preschool
2010.04 - 2010.05
Registered childminder - Self Employed
2007.04 - 2007.12
Northbrook College Sussex - AS Level, Psychology
2004.09 - 2005.06
Registration and Inspection Officer - Richmond and Wandsworth Council
1999.05 - 2000.03
Project Worker (part time) - NCH Family Centre
1998.06 - 1999.01
Early Years Adviser - Suffolk County Council
1996.07 - 1999.04
Nursery Manager - Cavendish Day Nursery
1994.09 - 1997.07
Deputy Manager - Chalmont Montessori Nursery
1989.04 - 1994.09