Christopher Musson
Bournemouth,UK
Summary
Service leader within a national award-winning mental health crisis provision, delivering person-centred, trauma-informed support. Skilled in operational leadership, staff management, partnership working, and change implementation, with a strong focus on safeguarding, equality, and quality. Motivated by work that empowers individuals and promotes their agency, and aligned with organisations addressing homelessness, abuse, mental health, and social exclusion.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work history
Senior Practitioner
BCHA
Bournemouth, UK
12.2024 - 02.2026
- Leading NHS-commissioned service, delivering mental health crisis support to students across three universities in Bournemouth.
- Invited by recruitment whilst service was in contract default, leading service to winning national award within four months and all KPIs met since posting.
- Developing and leading change implementation of new systems of working after successfully securing fully-commissioned status.
- Hold accountability for contractual compliance with robust monitoring, review, and reporting mechanisms.
- Lead and support staff to deliver trauma-informed, person-centred interventions within positive risk management framework.
- Performance-manage staff through supervision, reflective practice, and ongoing support, embedding learning-focused team culture.
- Oversee recruitment, induction, training, and professional development of staff and volunteers to ensure safe and effective service delivery.
Specialist Support Worker, The Liberty Project
BCHA
Bournemouth, England
09.2024 - 12.2024
- Managing caseload of clients identified as potential victims of modern slavery within Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC).
- Facilitating regular keyworking and risk assessments with as per contract KPIs.
- Ensuring rigorous safeguarding to promote welfare and prevent harm for clients and colleagues, working as part of multi-agency approach.
- Represented the service in delivering modern slavery training internally and externally.
Support Worker, Domestic Abuse Services
BCHA
Bournemouth, England
09.2023 - 09.2023
- Managing caseload supporting victim-survivors living in refuge accommodation.
- Ensuring robust safeguarding including multi-agency work (MARAC; MASH and Adult Social Services; Dorset police Maple project; IDVAs; MOJ pathways).
- Working closely with local authority to ensure timely and safe move-on plans to independent housing.
- Proactively enforcing latest guidance to models of practice i.e. trauma-informed care, person-centres ways of working, and psychologically informed environments.
Teaching Assistant
Clayesmore School & Iford Academy
Bournemouth, UK
01.2022 - 07.2023
- Delivered person-centred support to pupils with complex social, emotional, and behavioural needs, building practical skills in safeguarding, multi-agency collaboration, and crisis management. This experience provided a foundation for progressing into charity-sector crisis support roles.
Student
Leiden University (The Hague)
09.2020 - 12.2021
- During COVID-19 pandemic, undertook a Political Science and International Relations & Organisations short course. Building foundations in policy, advocacy, and governance, forming part of a strategic plan to progress into senior roles within the charity sector, focusing on services that influence policy and deliver support to those experiencing social disadvantage.
Carer & Personal Assistant
Ask Jules Care Agency
London | Portsmouth | International travel
01.2018 - 08.2020
- Live-in, 1:1 personal care for university students living with physical disabilities. This sparked my interest in person-centred support and the care sector.
- Co-producing care plans and ensuring high standards of support throughout extended shifts of up to 6-weeks.
- Trusted to provide 1:1 complex care post-graduation, requiring high levels of planning, adaptability, and responsibility during multiple international trips across Europe, Asia, and Australasia.
Accommodation Manager
ETC International College
Bournemouth, Dorset
07.2016 - 12.2017
- Managed a team coordinating homestay accommodation for international language students.
- Improved customer satisfaction and placement efficiency by implementing a streamlined booking and allocation system.
- Negotiated contracts with international agents, achieving reduced overall accommodation costs.
- Managed the departmental budget and collaborated with senior staff across departments to plan and deliver a high-demand summer programme.
Education
HE Diploma - Theology
University of Exeter
09/2014 - 07/2016
A Levels - Philosophy & Ethics (A*), History (B), English Literature (B)
Bournemouth School
09/2011 - 07/2013
GCSEs - 3A*, 6A, 2B
Bishop of Winchester Academy
09/2006 - 07/2011
Skills
- Service delivery and management
- Change implementation
- Trauma-informed and person-centred practice
- Staff leadership and performance management
- Safeguarding and risk management
- Partnership and multi-agency working
Affiliations
- Long distance running
- Music (Piano, Saxophone)
Accomplishments
- First place in the category of Mental Health and Wellbeing Support at the 2025 WhatUni Student Choice Awards.
Timeline
Senior Practitioner
BCHA
12.2024 - 02.2026
Specialist Support Worker, The Liberty Project
BCHA
09.2024 - 12.2024
Support Worker, Domestic Abuse Services
BCHA
09.2023 - 09.2023
Teaching Assistant
Clayesmore School & Iford Academy
01.2022 - 07.2023
Student
Leiden University (The Hague)
09.2020 - 12.2021
Carer & Personal Assistant
Ask Jules Care Agency
01.2018 - 08.2020
Accommodation Manager
ETC International College
07.2016 - 12.2017
HE Diploma - Theology
University of Exeter
09/2014 - 07/2016
A Levels - Philosophy & Ethics (A*), History (B), English Literature (B)
Bournemouth School
09/2011 - 07/2013
GCSEs - 3A*, 6A, 2B
Bishop of Winchester Academy
09/2006 - 07/2011