Claire Bolton
Rustington,West Sussex
Summary
I have been working with children and families for over 13 years. I have two teenage daughters and am very aware of child and adolescent development and age appropriate behaviour from a personal perspective and from working with many different children and families.
I am a hardworking and strong team player, adaptable and flexible, but am also self reliant. I am organised and conscientious and have strong communication skills.
I am passionate and enthusiastic about helping people in need, to support and improve their lives for a brighter and more positive future.
I am caring and empathetic, and have the ability to make people feel at ease.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Family Support Assistant
West Sussex County Council
Littlehampton , West Sussex
10.2024 - Current
- Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present information verbally and in writing which is clear and accurate.
- Ability to build trust and engagement with families, identifying and adapting work for individual needs.
- Following up to date policies and procedures, including Child protection and safeguarding at all times in order to uphold standards of best practice.
- Strong team member, supporting peers as required.
- Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently. Maintaining a clear and concise diary
- Successfully delivered on tasks within structured deadlines.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
Family Time Worker
West Sussex County Council
Bognor Regis, West Sussex
07.2023 - 10.2024
- To support and encourage a warm and safe environment for family time
- To work with vulnerable children and families, managing their anxieties to achieve the best outcome for the children.
- To write and submit clear, unbiased and accurate reports to be used in court, ensuring confidentiality at all times.
- The ability to work within a team and independently in the community
- To attend and contribute to planning meetings
- To have good good communication skills, and have the ability to organise workload
- To be flexible and support families across the county
- Attending regular training and up to date knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures
Playschool Senior Supervisor
Arun Community Church
Rustington, West Sussex
06.2016 - 07.2023
- Working with children aged 2-5 years in accordance with the EYFS.
- Following safeguarding and confidentiality procedures at all times.
- Working in a small team, supporting others in their roles.
- Attending team meetings and training as required.
- Responsible for my own key children, and promoting a positive relationship with Parents/Carers at all times.
- Writing termly observations on children and inputting information on referrals to outside agencies.
- Working on a rota basis, covering all areas including the cleaning, preparation and serving on snacks and ensuring the playroom and garden are safe at all times.
Playschool Lead Practitioner
Tickle Me Too
Littlehampton, West Sussex
06.2013 - 06.2016
- Working with children aged 2-5 years in accordance with the EYFS.
- Following safeguarding and confidentiality procedures at all times.
- Working in a small team, supporting others in their roles.
- Organisation and preparing of the weekly staff rota
- Ordering of weekly food and equipment as required
- Attending team meetings and training as required.
- Responsible for my own key children, and promoting a positive relationship with Parents/Carers at all times.
- Writing termly observations on children and inputting information on referrals to outside agencies.
- Working on a rota basis, covering all areas including the cleaning, preparation and serving on snacks and ensuring the playroom and garden are safe at all times.
Checkout operator
Asda
Ferring, West Sussex
09.2012 - 06.2013
- Engaged in friendly conversation and personalised service.
- Kept checkouts areas and general store clean and orderly.
- Handled cash and card payments with precision, maintaining customer confidentiality and discretion throughout.
- Reduced customer wait times through optimised checkout processes.
- Following Health and Safety procedures at all times
Checkout operator
Sainsburys
Rustington, West Sussex
10.2008 - 01.2010
- Engaged in friendly conversation and personalised service.
- Kept checkouts areas and general store clean and orderly.
- Handled cash and card payments with precision, maintaining customer confidentiality and discretion throughout.
- Reduced customer wait times through optimised checkout processes.
- Following Health and Safety procedures at all times
Customer service advisor
Littlehampton Book Services
Durrington, West Sussex
02.2001 - 10.2007
- Taking calls and handling queries on orders and discrepancies via phone and email.
- Maintaining good customer relationships and maintaining confidentiality at all times
- Working in a team, covering other colleagues job roles as required and sharing work loads if necessary
- Filing of paperwork and post
- Processing end of month figures
Veterinary receptionist
Grove Lodge Veterinary Hospital
Worthing, West Sussex
10.1996 - 02.2001
- Welcoming clients and their pets, making appointments and taking food/medicine orders
- Processing payments and handling of money
- Handling phone calls
- Cleaning of waiting area
- Working in a team, helping support others roles
- Dealing with sensitive issues and supporting families in these times
Kennel supervisor
Bellmead Kennels (Battersea Dogs Home)
Old Windsor, Windsor and Maidenhead
02.1993 - 10.1996
- General care and overall welfare of dogs following Health and safety procedures
- Welcoming clients to the kennels, showing them around, taking bookings
- Checking client details, maintaining confidentiality at all times
- Training 16-19 year olds on the YTS scheme how to care for dogs
Education
NVQ Level 3 - Diploma for the Children and Young Peoples Workforce
Chichester College
Chichester 09.2014 - 09.2015
GCSEs -
Worthing Sixth Form College
Worthing, West Sussex 09.1990 - 06.1992
GCSEs -
Durrington High School
Worthing 09.1986 - 06.1990
Skills
- Good communication and personal skills, including the ability to organise and present information clearly, concisely and accurately, maintaining confidentiality at all times
- To attend and contribute to planning meetings with the focus on the best outcomes for children/families
- Able to engage and intervene with children, families and other services in order to effect positive outcomes
- Working effectively with families in crisis, managing my own and others anxieties
- Building strong and effective relationships with families and outside agencies
- Able to maintain clear, accurate reports, which are used in the courts, managing and organising work load effectively
- Understanding and following safeguarding policies and procedures at all times
Affiliations
- I spend my spare time watching my two teenage daughters enjoy their hobbies, horse riding lessons and cheerleading competitions. I have a passion for dogs and love walking my cockapoo. I enjoy gardening and listening to music.
Courses
- Chronology training October 2025
- Addressing barriers to safeguarding children effectively and appropriately October 2025
- SEND in children in social care and Early Help September 2025
- Triple P Fear-less June/July 2025
- Working together to safeguard children April 2025
- Neglect training February 2025
- Five to Thrive February 2025
- Working together to recognise and respond to Child Exploitation December 2024
- Preventing radicalisation and violent extremism December 2024
- Domestic abuse - the impact on children November 2024
- Making every contact count November 2024
- Attachment and Developmental Trauma : Assessment and Intervention June 2024
- Parent assess observation skills workshop June 2024
- Anxiety and low mood workshop - June 2024
- Safeguarding refresher January 2024
Timeline
Family Support Assistant
West Sussex County Council
10.2024 - Current
Family Time Worker
West Sussex County Council
07.2023 - 10.2024
Playschool Senior Supervisor
Arun Community Church
06.2016 - 07.2023
NVQ Level 3 - Diploma for the Children and Young Peoples Workforce
Chichester College
09.2014 - 09.2015
Playschool Lead Practitioner
Tickle Me Too
06.2013 - 06.2016
Checkout operator
Asda
09.2012 - 06.2013
Checkout operator
Sainsburys
10.2008 - 01.2010
Customer service advisor
Littlehampton Book Services
02.2001 - 10.2007
Veterinary receptionist
Grove Lodge Veterinary Hospital
10.1996 - 02.2001
Kennel supervisor
Bellmead Kennels (Battersea Dogs Home)
02.1993 - 10.1996
GCSEs -
Worthing Sixth Form College
09.1990 - 06.1992
GCSEs -
Durrington High School
09.1986 - 06.1990