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