Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Other training
Additional Information
References
Timeline
Generic

Esther Sands

Antrim,Antrim

Summary

Motivated and dedicated professional with strong communication skills and extensive experience in health and social care. Committed to delivering compassionate, person-centred support. Seeking a role within a progressive organisation, particularly supporting adults with learning disabilities, to further develop skills and contribute to the delivery of high-quality care.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience
12111
12111
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Care assistant

Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Aaron House
08.2024 - 08.2025
  • Residential home for adults with learning disabilities (including complex needs, physical disability and/ or behaviours which challenge)
  • Working with various services and multidisciplinary teams to ensure the best care and support for the adult, including positive behaviour support team, speech and language specialists, LD community nurses and the individual’s family

Family carer

Private (Direct Payments)
01.2016 - 08.2025
  • Providing respite for mother, support child to access community activities
  • Monitoring and managing child’s complex needs i.e. managing seizures (with VNS implant or emergency medication), tube feeding, wheelchair use, non-verbal communication


Volunteer

Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
01.2013 - 01.2020
  • Experience in all departments including campaigning, employability and benefits, childrens and families, community services, ECLO and technology
  • Mainly with children and families team - providing support to children who blind or partially sighted and supporting other family members around this
  • Assisted in organising and facilitating meetings, groups and events

Care assistant/ support worker

Rainbow Lodge, Praxis Care (MPA Agency)
01.2018 - 09.2019
  • Providing support in a residential/ short break unit for children with complex needs including behaviours which challenge
  • Working with a range of services and multi-disciplinary teams ie social workers, positive behaviour support team, speech and language as well as the child’s family

Support worker

Jean Todd Close, Inspire Wellbeing
06.2016 - 01.2018
  • Supporting living for adults with learning disabilities
  • Writing and reviewing reports and liaise with other health professionals and family
  • Working as part of a team, while also working independently and using initiative and problem solving to manage issues when they arose, i.e. managing challenging situations

Telephone Fundraiser

Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
02.2016 - 06.2016
  • Using an online system to call people to encourage financial support to RNIB
  • Working in accordance with data protection laws and policies ie GDPR
  • Working independently while also focusing on meeting team targets

Education

Level 5 Certificate (modules) - Leadership and Management

Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)

Level 3 NVQ - Business and Administration

New Horizons, Action Mental Health

Level 4 Diploma - Health and Social Care

Northern Regional College (NRC)

BA (Hons) - Theology

University of Cumbria

A-level - Home Economics, Religious Studies, Performing Arts

Antrim Grammar School

GCSEs - 8 GCSE’s, including Maths and English

Parkhall Integrated College

Skills

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills; able to build trust with residents, families, and colleagues
  • Effective both independently and as part of a team
  • Resilient, calm, and compassionate when supporting individuals with complex needs
  • Flexible and adaptable to ensure quality care
  • Proactive in problem-solving to maintain safety and high standards
  • ICT literate, confident using digital systems accurately and efficiently

Other training

  • OCN Level 2 Oral Presentation Skills
  • OCN Level 1 Understanding Equality and Diversity
  • OCN Level 2 Managing finances and budgets
  • Fire Warden training
  • Safeguarding and child protection
  • Meaningful activities for adults with learning disabilities

Additional Information

  • Deliver presentations/ workshops in schools in relation to disabilities, ie health and social care classes or disability awareness

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Care assistant

Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Aaron House
08.2024 - 08.2025

Care assistant/ support worker

Rainbow Lodge, Praxis Care (MPA Agency)
01.2018 - 09.2019

Support worker

Jean Todd Close, Inspire Wellbeing
06.2016 - 01.2018

Telephone Fundraiser

Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
02.2016 - 06.2016

Family carer

Private (Direct Payments)
01.2016 - 08.2025

Volunteer

Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
01.2013 - 01.2020

Level 5 Certificate (modules) - Leadership and Management

Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)

Level 3 NVQ - Business and Administration

New Horizons, Action Mental Health

Level 4 Diploma - Health and Social Care

Northern Regional College (NRC)

BA (Hons) - Theology

University of Cumbria

A-level - Home Economics, Religious Studies, Performing Arts

Antrim Grammar School

GCSEs - 8 GCSE’s, including Maths and English

Parkhall Integrated College
Esther Sands