Catherine Parker
Tendring,Essex
Summary
A dedicated professional with strong organisational skills and the ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines. Demonstrates a proactive approach to continuous learning and self-motivation, with previous experience in administration.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work history
Foster Carer
Suffolk County Council
Tendring, , Essex
07.2023 - Current
- Foster carer for 1 child for 2 years to date, kinship foster carer for this child's 3 siblings for 14 years to date.
- Navigated complex emotional situations with empathy and patience, aiding in conflict resolution.
- Worked closely with other professionals involved in child's welfare; improving collaborative efforts towards child’s wellbeing. This involves Teams meetings as well as face to face meetings.
- Developed time management skills to cover all aspects of managing a blended family with an age range of 5 - 64.
- Adhered strictly to safeguarding protocols; ensuring safety at all times.
- Facilitated open lines of communication with social workers, leading to more effective care plans.
- Sought out and completed training courses on adverse childhood experiences, how to manage challenging behaviours and developmental trauma to better understand and address unique needs of foster children.
- Managed medical appointments and health needs of children, ensuring proper physical health.
- Tracked and recorded child's progress for review by social services team, contributing to overall care strategy.
- Coordinated with school staff regarding child's progress, enhancing academic performance.
- Maintained a safe and nurturing living environment, promoting a sense of security.
- Fostered resilience in children through regular counselling sessions, boosting emotional strength.
- Encouraged positive behaviours through structured routine and clear boundaries, fostering personal growth.
- Comforted children during times of crisis to provide security and safety measures.
- Encouraged children to express views and opinions to increase confidence and openness.
- Established close relationships with community resources, teachers and health professionals to meet children's development needs.
- Provided 24-hour day to day care of infants to adolescents to manage daily needs.
- Facilitated further skill development by providing effective mentoring in life skills.
- Logged significant events throughout placement and contributed to reviews, case conferences and court hearings.
- Supervised contact arrangements to oversee smooth process.
- Contributed to achieving positive outcomes of permanency plans by actively participating in court hearings.
Cake Designer and Creator
Self employed
Tendring, Essex
04.2015 - 01.2023
- Designed bespoke wedding, birthday and celebration cakes according to client requests and then created, packaged and delivered the cake to venue.
- Adhered to strict privacy requests when creating cakes for Bradley Cooper, Ed Sheeran, Damien Lewis, Chris Evans, Paul Hollywood and Texas.
- Adapted to unusual orders eg. 1 x 3' tall cake with 1000 extra portions for The Old Vic theatre 200th birthday.
- Set up and managed an online enquiry system, quotes and calendar.
- Utilised a variety of tools and techniques for precision in detailed designs.
- Ensured adherence to food safety regulations at all times during decorating process.
- Produced intricate icing designs for improved visual appeal.
- Managed inventory effectively, minimising waste and ensuring availability of necessary supplies.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by designing bespoke cake decorations.
- Applied expert knowledge of colour mixing to achieve desired frosting shades.
- Created custom fondant shapes, resulting in personalised decoration themes.
- Increased efficiency by maintaining cleanliness and organization of work area.
- Provided exceptional customer service with careful attention to dietary requirements. (eg. A celiac friendly cake for Sharleen Spitiri from Texas)
- Kept work area safe and sanitised by washing utensils, tools and countertops.
Content Writer
High Position Ltd
Colchester, Essex
11.2007 - 06.2014
- Assisted editorial team in brainstorming sessions, resulting in innovative article themes.
- Enhanced brand awareness by creating compelling web copy that aligns with marketing goals.
- Helped increase website traffic by producing high-quality content regularly.
- Reviewed and edited fellow content writers' work ensuring grammatical accuracy and stylistic consistency.
- Developed engaging content for a variety of platforms by researching, writing, editing and proofreading materials.
- Improved SEO rankings with the integration of target keywords in blog posts and articles.
- Adhered to strict deadlines whilst maintaining quality standards, increasing overall output efficiency.
- Worked closely with SEO specialists to optimise content, improving organic search results.
- Drafted product descriptions and blogs for clients.
- Adapted to the changing needs of the business by seeking out training in advertising standards, creating and presenting powerpoint to ensure company adherence.
- When the business adapted to outsourcing content writing overseas, I also adapted by re-training on the job to take over the company bookkeeping role.
Administrative Assistant
Potter Raper Partnership Quantity Surveyors
Colchester, Essex
06.2005 - 07.2006
- Updated company databases by inputting new employee contact information and employment details.
- Managed front desk duties to ensure smooth operation of reception area in building quantity surveyors.
- Contributed to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
- Handled sensitive information discreetly maintaining high level confidentiality at all times.
- Coordinated office operations by handling phone inquiries, managing correspondence and supervising office cleanliness.
- Supported accurate record-keeping with proficient data entry skills.
- Handled incoming calls for staff, answering questions, directing calls and documenting messages.
- Supported staff with administrative needs for photocopying, faxing and filing.
- Examined, scanned and input documents in software system.
- Kept adequate office supplies on hand to support staff and business requirements.
- Reviewed documents for staff to proofread for errors, correct formatting and verify factual information.
- Opened and routed business parcels and letters.
- Transcribed or scanned data to create new files.
- Produced clean, error-free professional business correspondence for office team.
Administrative Assistant
Tyres & Accessories Magazine
Clacton on Sea, Essex
01.2000 - 01.2002
- Supported accurate record-keeping with proficient data entry skills.
- Maintained stock levels to avoid shortages in office supplies.
- Supported staff with administrative needs for photocopying, faxing and filing.
- Opened and routed business parcels and letters.
- Assisted advertising manager with layout and presentation.
- Assisted editorial staff with administrative requests to ensure smooth handling of their work.
Education
GCSEs - NCFE Cache Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences
Harlow College
Harlow 01/2025 - 03/2025
GCSEs - NCFE Cache Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour That Challenges
Harlow College
Harlow 04/2025 - 07/2025
Master of Arts - Writing for Script and Screen
Falmouth University
Falmouth 01/2017 - 06/2020
Diploma of Higher Education - Interior Design
BAID
London /1997 - /1998
GCSEs - Maths, English, Office Practice, Typing, Social Economics, History, Domestic Science
Colbayns High School
Essex /1979 - /1984
Skills
Working under pressure and deadlines
Organisational skills and prioritisation
Proactive in seeking out further education
Self-motivated
Previous administration experience
Active interest not only in assisting people from difficult backgrounds but also in the building industry
Affiliations
- Painting contemporary art, making clothes, knitting, baking, rock music.
Timeline
Foster Carer
Suffolk County Council
07.2023 - Current
Cake Designer and Creator
Self employed
04.2015 - 01.2023
Content Writer
High Position Ltd
11.2007 - 06.2014
Administrative Assistant
Potter Raper Partnership Quantity Surveyors
06.2005 - 07.2006
Administrative Assistant
Tyres & Accessories Magazine
01.2000 - 01.2002
GCSEs - NCFE Cache Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences
Harlow College
01/2025 - 03/2025
GCSEs - NCFE Cache Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour That Challenges
Harlow College
04/2025 - 07/2025
Master of Arts - Writing for Script and Screen
Falmouth University
01/2017 - 06/2020
Diploma of Higher Education - Interior Design
BAID
/1997 - /1998
GCSEs - Maths, English, Office Practice, Typing, Social Economics, History, Domestic Science
Colbayns High School
/1979 - /1984
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