Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Dawn Balfour

Brechin,Angus

Summary

A dedicated professional with exceptional communication and listening skills, known for building trust and rapport with young people. Demonstrates a deep understanding of youth trends and developmental stages, effectively catering to their needs. Experienced in youth offending, with a proven ability to maintain composure and resilience in challenging situations. Adept at problem-solving and thinking creatively, while working collaboratively within a team. Proficient in IT skills, managing case loads, and maintaining accurate records. Committed to supporting young people through difficult times and contributing positively to their development.

Skilled professional with experience in supporting and empowering individuals in community-based projects. Drive positive outcomes through strong communication and problem-solving skills. Foster collaboration and engagement to achieve project goals.


Driven Project Worker with knack for fostering community engagement and delivering impactful initiatives. Successfully led diverse teams to complete projects on time, enhancing service delivery and client satisfaction. Known for hands-on approach and commitment to improving lives through innovative solutions.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Project worker

Hillcrest Futures young persons service
Forfar, Angus
10.2022 - Current
  • Facilitated communication between young people, resulting in improved relationships.
  • Set up a Friday Night Project to reduce anti social behaviour in the town
  • Provided critical support during crisis situations, helping young people remain at home.
  • Oversaw training sessions for new team members, promoting optimal productivity levels.
  • Incorporated feedback from Young people and their families into projects to enable continuous development and improvement.
  • Prepared comprehensive reports detailing project status, ensuring all stakeholders stayed informed.
  • Balanced multiple projects simultaneously whilst adhering to set deadlines.
  • Contributed positively towards a healthy working environment through effective conflict resolution techniques.
  • Achieved project objectives within given time frames through diligent work ethic.
  • Managed documentation process meticulously, ensuring accurate record-keeping.
  • Coordinated with team members to ensure smooth execution of tasks.
  • Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams for integrated efforts towards common goals.
  • Enabled individuals to integrate into community by providing a variety of supporting duties, including voluntary opportunities.
  • Optimised patient outcomes, using trauma-informed, holistic approaches tailored to individual needs.
  • Completed comprehensive needs and risk assessments to identify and define short-term objectives.
  • Ensured client confidence by promoting a service in which individuals felt safe, valued and supported.
  • Maintained service satisfaction levels by establishing strong, positive relationships with individuals and their families.
  • Improved wellbeing of individuals by planning and delivering fun and meaningful activities.
  • Supported individuals in building social capital by re-engaging with education, training and positive activities.
  • Recorded daily data in work logs and completed written reports detailing daily work performance.
  • Carried out activities in line with work schedule.

Youth worker

Pitstop Forfar
Forfar, Angus
11.2015 - 05.2022
  • Enhanced community cohesion with the organisation of local events.
  • Promoted healthy lifestyles with the conduct of fitness sessions and nutrition education workshops.
  • Implemented creative workshops to foster creativity and teamwork among youths.
  • Provided emotional support during challenging times, ensuring well-being of youths under care.
  • Developed strong rapport with youths by engaging in regular, open conversations.
  • Established effective communication channels between parents and children resulting in stronger family bonds.
  • Fostered better understanding of societal issues, leading to improved behaviour amongst participants.
  • Organised recreational activities, enhancing social skills of young individuals.
  • Maintained safe, positive environment to encourage youth participation and growth.
  • Assisted in conflict resolution, promoting a peaceful atmosphere within group settings.
  • Encouraged active involvement in community service, fostering a sense of responsibility among young individuals.
  • Assisted young individuals in building life skills through various interactive activities and discussions.
  • Conducted risk assessments prior to outdoor activities ensuring safety of all participants.
  • Encouraged participation and engagement in planned activities.
  • Role modelled positive behaviour and interpersonal skills.
  • Helped with coordination and supervision of youth activities and delivered positive interventions.
  • Safeguarded young people in line with national guidelines.
  • Organised inclusive sporting activities, encouraging teamwork and collaboration.
  • Maintained awareness of child protection issues and established procedures.
  • Approached youth challenges with empathy and mentored individuals in critical thinking and problem-solving.
  • Provided support during regular youth sessions and planned activities.
  • Cleaned youth club areas before and after sessions to maintain safe, sanitary conditions.
  • Built positive relationships with SEND students by working with compassion and empathy.
  • Used music, art and sensory experiences to encourage child expression.
  • Adapted to changing emotional, social and mental health needs for responsive young adult support.
  • Set up outings and events according to children's favoured activities and hobbies.
  • Advocated for young people to build current and future opportunities.
  • Developed outreach programmes to bridge gaps between young people and communities.

Youth worker

Moray Council
Lossiemouth, Moray
03.2009 - 08.2012
  • Implemented creative workshops to foster creativity and teamwork among youths.
  • Provided emotional support during challenging times, ensuring well-being of youths under care.
  • Assisted in conflict resolution, promoting a peaceful atmosphere within group settings.
  • Fostered better understanding of societal issues, leading to improved behaviour amongst participants.
  • Delivered youth based classroom sessions in Lossiemouth High.

Youth worker

Airplay RAF Lossiemouth
Lossiemouth, Moray
07.2010 - 07.2011
  • Conducted risk assessments prior to outdoor activities ensuring safety of all participants.
  • Assisted young individuals in building life skills through various interactive activities and discussions.
  • Organised recreational activities, enhancing social skills of young individuals.
  • Work with young people who's parents were on detachment
  • Supported young people engaging in positive activites.
  • Established effective communication channels between parents and children resulting in stronger family bonds.
  • Developed strong rapport with youths by engaging in regular, open conversations.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Child and youth studies

UHI
Scotland
08.2002 - 05.2005

Certificate of Higher Education - Child care

Angus college
Scotland
08.2000 - 05.2001

Skills

  • Great communication skills
  • Knowledgeable in youth trends
  • Experience with Youth Offending
  • Good listening skills
  • Empathetic patient with a great ability to build trust and rapport
  • Patient and resilient maintaining composure in challenging situations, while supporting young people through difficult times
  • Good problem solver, with the ability to think outside the box
  • Work effectively within a team
  • Great knowledge of developmental stages of young people and catering for their needs through these
  • IT skills, manage case load and keep notes up to date

Affiliations

  • Enjoy being outdoors with my family, i have 4 children aged from5-13 and enjoy spending time paddle boarding, camping and going for family adventures.
  • I enjoy art and being creative.

Accomplishments

Was nominated for a outstanding contribution award last year for setting up a local drop in which helped reduce anti social behaviour in Forfar.

While also setting up a butterfly trail with the young people i work with for mental health awareness.

Timeline

Project worker

Hillcrest Futures young persons service
10.2022 - Current

Youth worker

Pitstop Forfar
11.2015 - 05.2022

Youth worker

Airplay RAF Lossiemouth
07.2010 - 07.2011

Youth worker

Moray Council
03.2009 - 08.2012

Bachelor of Arts - Child and youth studies

UHI
08.2002 - 05.2005

Certificate of Higher Education - Child care

Angus college
08.2000 - 05.2001

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Dawn Balfour