Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Qualified Personal Trainer
Timeline
Generic

Constance Given

Coulsdon,Surrey

Summary

I am a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England, working in Surrey County Council’s Adolescent Service.

My social work practice incorporates Compassion-Focused Therapy, fostering a supportive environment where young people and their families feel heard, understood, and respected to promote meaningful and lasting change I am Parent Assess Trained and am an Independent Social Worker for BASW.

I am eager to advance my career by joining the Children's Single Point of Access team. In this role, I will leverage my expertise to facilitate early identification and assessment of potential risks and concerns for children and families. My comprehensive understanding of statutory guidance, combined with in-depth knowledge of the Family Information Service and other support services available in Surrey, will enable me to effectively determine the most appropriate interventions for families in need. I am passionate about making a positive impact on families' lives and am confident that my expertise in navigating Surrey's support systems will be an asset in connecting families with the most suitable services.

Overview

6
6
years of professional experience

Work history

Social Worker, Adolescent Service

Surrey County Council
10.2021 - 02.2025
  • Led a complex and high-risk caseload at Level 4 support, encompassing Child and Family Assessments, Child Protection, Looked After Children, and Children in Need cases
  • Work with education, police and health to triage, research, analyse and share information to identify the most appropriate level of support to meet the needs of a child
  • Collaborated with young people and professionals to create safety plans addressing threats to life, mental health challenges, and exploitation, ensuring their safety and stability
  • Applied for and facilitated placements under DoLS, achieving positive outcomes for young people now thriving in safe environments, engaging in education, and pursuing their aspirations
  • Partnered with health professionals, families, and young people to develop effective Section 117 aftercare plans following hospital discharges under Section 3 of the Mental Health Act
  • Completed specialized training with the Metropolitan Police to conduct Enhanced Cognitive Interviews, enhancing evidence-gathering skills
  • Successfully achieved positive outcomes for families with histories of non-engagement or hostility towards services, building trust and collaboration
  • Extensive experience working with Child Criminal Exploitation, Child Sexual Exploitation, Mental Health, Physical Abuse, Neglect, and Sexual Abuse
  • Demonstrated experience in preparing detailed and balanced court reports for High Court and Family Court proceedings
  • Skilled in articulating young people’s wishes and feelings while carefully balancing these with professional assessments of what is in their best interests and ensures their safety
  • Worked closely with Police, Education Colleagues, Health Professionals, Domestic Abuse Workers, Mental Health Workers, Family Support Workers, and Psychologists to deliver holistic support
  • Applied for Emergency Protection Orders and DoLS to safeguard at-risk young people
  • Chair Core Groups, Child in Need Meetings, Network Meetings Professional Meetings to drive effective decision-making and action plans
  • Supported families in developing weekly goals and practical solutions, empowering them by leveraging their personal strengths and interests
  • Advocated for young people and families, ensuring access to appropriate services
  • Expertise in assessing and managing risks in complex family dynamics to ensure children’s safety and well-being through Child and Family assessments, Strategy Discussions, and Section 47 Enquiries
  • Skilled in working with children and families affected by trauma, using approaches that promote resilience and recovery
  • Deep understanding of child protection legislation, such as the Children Act 1989 and 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children, and statutory guidance
  • Experience managing high-pressure situations, through risk assessments, coordinating with professional networks and safety planning, providing immediate short term interventions to de-escalate the situation, and seeking legal advice if necessary

Designated Safeguarding Lead Placement

Holy Trinity School
Crawley
01.2021 - 05.2021
  • Built professional relationships with both students and staff to ensure they felt comfortable to talk to me about any concerns or worries they might have
  • Straddled divide between school and home and focus on the pastoral side of children's needs, using CPOMS to record all my notes
  • Source of support for children on a Child Protection Plan or a Child in Need Plan
  • Attend Strategy Discussions, Core Groups, CIN meetings, Child Protection Conferences and PEP meetings to give updates on how the young person was presenting at school
  • Liaise with Children's Social Care regarding the children they were allocated to manage any disclosures they made
  • Op-Encompass reports and contact with the Police
  • Referrals made for Approved Mental Health Professionals
  • Arranged Managed Moves for pupils that would benefit from them
  • Created Safety Plans and Worry Diaries with young people as part of direct work

Client Services Advisor

Nuffield Health, Nomura PLC
01.2019 - 01.2020
  • Applied strong communication skills to engage effectively with individuals of all ages in diverse situations, using my studies and personal experiences to educate young people and adults on the importance of health and fitness
  • Organized and managed GP, Nurse, Physiotherapist, and Nutritionist schedules, ensuring seamless coordination of care
  • Processed medical results and acted as a liaison between clients and the medical team, delivering clear and articulate communication to support client understanding and decision-making
  • Collaborated with medical and fitness teams, arranging weekly meetings to maintain consistent and professional service delivery
  • Facilitated effective referral pathways from GPs and Physiotherapists to Personal Trainers
  • Delivered fitness classes and provided one-on-one personal training, incorporating the Cycle of Change model to support clients through their health journeys
  • This approach fostered a deep understanding of the time required for sustainable change, enabling me to empower individuals with empathy and without judgment

Education

Social Work Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) - Social Work

Brighton University
Brighton
09.2020 - 7 2022

Psychology BSc 2:1 - Psychology

University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth
09.2015 - 5 2018

Qualified Personal Trainer

My career in Social Care has reinforced the importance of self-care for resilience and effectiveness. As a qualified Level 3 Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, I integrate physical exercise and mindfulness into my daily routine. This commitment to well-being allows me to stay energized, focused, and fully present for the individuals and families I support. This experience also allows me to empower young people and families around their health and fitness.

Timeline

Social Worker, Adolescent Service

Surrey County Council
10.2021 - 02.2025

Designated Safeguarding Lead Placement

Holy Trinity School
01.2021 - 05.2021

Social Work Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) - Social Work

Brighton University
09.2020 - 7 2022

Client Services Advisor

Nuffield Health, Nomura PLC
01.2019 - 01.2020

Psychology BSc 2:1 - Psychology

University of Portsmouth
09.2015 - 5 2018
Constance Given