Diego Capontes
Epsom,Surrey
Summary
A Psychology graduate with frontline experience supporting young people with complex mental health, trauma, neurodevelopmental and behavioural needs. Experienced in building trusting professional relationships while maintaining clear boundaries, supporting emotional regulation and responding to safeguarding and risk concerns. Current residential role provides substantial experience supporting young people through day-to-day routines, emotional distress and periods of crisis, alongside working with families and a range of external professionals. Looking to build on academic grounding in psychology and practical experience by developing skills in CBT-informed practice through PWP training.
Overview
3
3
Languages
1
1
Certification
2
2
years of professional experience
Work history
Residential Support Worker
Cameron & Cooper
West Molesey, Surrey
2025.08 - 2026.09
- Provide day-to-day emotional and practical support to young people aged 11–18 with complex trauma, mental health, neurodevelopmental and behavioural needs, supporting routines, education, relationships and independence.
- Build trusting professional relationships while maintaining clear boundaries, supporting young people through distress, dysregulation, family contact and significant changes in their emotional wellbeing.
- Identify and respond to safeguarding and risk concerns including self-harm, suicidal ideation, exploitation, online safety, unhealthy relationships, bullying and missing episodes; contribute to safety planning and risk management.
- Work alongside CAMHS, GPs, psychiatrists, hospitals, social workers, police, EDT, NHS 111 and families, advocating for young people's wishes and supporting them to communicate their needs in professional settings.
- Maintain detailed and contemporaneous records of incidents, safeguarding concerns, daily logs, health appointments, keywork, activities and changes in presentation, using this information to inform ongoing support and risk management.
SEND Teaching Assistant
St Paul's C Of E Primary School
Kingston, Greater London
2025.03 - 2025.07
- Supported Key Stage 1 pupils with learning, emotional regulation and day-to-day classroom needs.
- Provided 1:1 support to autistic pupil, adapting learning tasks to reduce overwhelm, using positive reinforcement and tailored communication to support concentration and engagement.
- Supported pupils experiencing emotional dysregulation and challenging behaviour, using calm de-escalation, clear boundaries and consistency.
- Successfully de-escalated significant incident involving non-verbal autistic pupil; approach was recognised by Headteacher and contributed to extension of placement beyond original assignment.
- Maintained up-to-date safeguarding and child protection knowledge, following school's procedures.
Education
BSc (Hons) - Psychology
University of Surrey
Guildford 09/2021 - 07/2024
A-Levels - Psychology, Sociology, Government & Politics
Blenheim Sixth Form
Epsom 09/2019 - 08/2021
Skills
Safeguarding & Child Protection
De-escalation & Crisis Management
Trauma-Informed Practice
Mental Health Support
Multi-Agency Working
Medication Safety
Certification
- Safeguarding Children
- Safeguarding Adults at Risk
- Trauma & Complex Needs
- Mental Health Awareness
- Self Harm & Suicide Prevention
- Eating Disorders
- Team Teach
- Recording & Reporting
Languages
English
Native
Portuguese
Native
Spanish
Advanced
Accomplishments
Young person's voice in care proceedings: Supported a key young person to articulate their wishes and feelings through a letter read by the judge during care proceedings, helping them feel heard during a significant decision about their care.
Employee of the Month & 2× Honourable Mention— recognised for quickly establishing positive and trusting relationships with young people, confidently taking on key worker responsibilities, planning activities that promote independence, and providing consistent support to the senior and management team.
Timeline
Residential Support Worker
Cameron & Cooper
2025.08 - 2026.09
SEND Teaching Assistant
St Paul's C Of E Primary School
2025.03 - 2025.07
A-Levels - Psychology, Sociology, Government & Politics
Blenheim Sixth Form
09/2019 - 08/2021
BSc (Hons) - Psychology
University of Surrey
09/2021 - 07/2024