Carolyn Smith
Ossett,West Yorkshire
Summary
I am a dedicated professional with expertise in child protection and safeguarding, adept at gathering information and maintaining accurate case records and writing complex reports. I have a proven ability to work effectively individually and within multi-agency teams, managing risk and holding challenging conversations. I am skilled in understanding and responding to trauma, with a commitment to enhancing the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals. My passion for empowering individuals to live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives led to me winning Practice Educator of the year at the National Social Work Awards 2022.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Consultant Social Worker
Wakefield Council
Wakefield, West Yorkshire
2024.07 - Current
- Managing and mentoring a team of five social work students through a fast-track apprenticeship programme.
- Teaching students the legal frameworks, policy and procedure that underpin child protection social work, and how to apply this in practice.
- Holding a caseload of up to 37 children, and role modelling to students how to support, advocate and challenge caregivers to address risk and promote positive change.
- Working restoratively with families to identify of risk and need, and referral to wider support agencies to provide resources necessary to promote safety and wellbeing.
- Chairing meetings with families and partner agencies, creating robust multi-agency plans which were evaluated regularly to monitor progress.
- Succinctly conveying information both verbally and in writing, completing complex reports and analytical assessments for court, professional meetings and home visits.
Advanced Social Worker: Learning & Development
Wakefield Council
Wakefield, West Yorkshire
2019.10 - 2024.07
- Writing and delivering the mandatory training programme for Newly Qualified Social Workers.
- Facilitating reflective supervision for newly qualified social workers and social work students.
- Assessing student social workers on placement against the Professional Capabilities Framework, and providing written reports and verbal feedback on progress.
- Co-delivery of the training for Practice Educators alongside local universities.
- Chairing the Practice Educator workstream of the Social Work Teaching Partnership (running across two local authorities, two universities and the local private, voluntary and independent sectors).
- Quality assurance of the wider social work service, through collaborative multi-agency auditing of case work, training programmes, and staff morale.
Advanced Social Worker: MASH
Wakefield Council
Wakefield, West Yorkshire
2015.11 - 2019.10
- Working in a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub taking telephone and email referrals from partner agencies and members of the public with safeguarding concerns.
- Being the first point of contact for families and professionals, offering advice and guidance, including referrals to wider support agencies.
- Holding challenging conversations with service users and professionals, remaining professionally curious to ensure the information is robust and evidence-based.
- Managing situations with empathy, calmness and kindness, and de-escalating conflict where needed.
- Analysing information within strict timescales, providing decisions on the level of service intervention required, and ensuring clear recording of decision making.
Senior Social Worker
Wakefield Council
Wakefield, West Yorkshire
2014.01 - 2015.11
- Working alongside West Yorkshire Police Child Protection Unit to complete Joint Agency Child Protection Investigations where children had suffered, or were likely to suffer, significant harm.
- Attending and sharing information in a multi-agency setting to determine threshold of risk, and analyse safety.
- Working directly with children & young people who had suffered significant harm, drawing on techniques to gather information unobtrusively, calmly and empathetically, including obtaining information that may be used in criminal and public proceedings.
- Ensuring sufficient support and safety planning was implemented for children.
- Preparing complex assessments for the court arena, and attending court to give evidence.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
University of Leeds
Leeds 2007.09 - 2010.07
A-Levels - English Language, Sociology, Government & Politics, Law
Dereham Sixth Form College
Dereham, Norfolk 2005.09 - 2007.07
GCSEs - 10 GCSEs including English, Maths & Science
Northgate High School
Dereham, Norfolk 1999.09 - 2004.07
Skills
- Child protection and safeguarding expertise
- Gathering information and accurate case recording
- Working within multi-disciplinary teams
- Ethical practice
- Managing risk and holding challenging conversations
- Understanding and responding to trauma
Affiliations
- Knitting
- Ballet
- Bouldering / rock climbing
- Cooking
Accomplishments
Practice Educator of the Year: National Social Work Awards 2022
Certification
Social Work England: SW20862
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Consultant Social Worker
Wakefield Council
2024.07 - Current
Advanced Social Worker: Learning & Development
Wakefield Council
2019.10 - 2024.07
Advanced Social Worker: MASH
Wakefield Council
2015.11 - 2019.10
Senior Social Worker
Wakefield Council
2014.01 - 2015.11
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
University of Leeds
2007.09 - 2010.07
A-Levels - English Language, Sociology, Government & Politics, Law
Dereham Sixth Form College
2005.09 - 2007.07
GCSEs - 10 GCSEs including English, Maths & Science
Northgate High School
1999.09 - 2004.07