Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Custom
Interests
Timeline
Generic

Gary Dunning

Birmingham,West Midlands

Summary

Versatile professional with extensive experience supporting vulnerable individuals across diverse settings. Strong verbal and written communication skills, coupled with flexibility and sound decision-making, enable effective collaboration and independent work. Knowledgeable about the needs of adults with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health challenges, while committed to continuous personal development and achieving positive outcomes.

Overview

36
36
years of professional experience

Work History

Community Support Worker – Learning Disabilities

Trident Group
07.2006 - 08.2026

Supporting vulnerable adults with mental health issues, learning disabilities, autism and other conditions providing both floating support and accommodation-based support.

Provided emotional support and practical help for people with disabilities.

Developed personalised support plans and risk assessments with healthcare professionals to meet preferences.

Monitored health symptoms and behaviour, reporting abnormalities to management.

- Developing the independence of vulnerable adults

Assisted service users in maintaining tenancies by reporting anti-social behaviour.

- assisting service users to maintain their tenancies including reporting anti-social behaviour

Coordinated social activities for vulnerable adults to promote community engagement and enhance social skills.

  • - arranging and attending social activities for vulnerable adults
  • Ensuring vulnerable adults access the right benefits and helping them to manage on a budget and pay bills
  • Conducted health and safety checks of vulnerable adults’ accommodation, ensuring compliance with fire and carbon monoxide regulations.
  • Carried out home visits to assess environments and recommend safer modifications.
  • Worked with social service agencies and healthcare providers on care plans.

Senior Night Support Officer (Homeless People)

Birmingham City Mission
01.2000 - 01.2006
  • Managed overnight operations of homeless hostel, ensuring safety and support for residents
  • Conducted safety checks of building and reported urgent matters to line manager and emergency services
  • providing emergency overnight accommodation
  • Executed cleaning and administrative tasks to maintain a safe, welcoming environment for guests

Brittanic Assurance (Pertemps)

Pertemps
01.1999 - 01.2000
  • contacted insurance customers by telephone to gather relevant information and performed administration tasks to support customer inquiries.
  • Managed complaints with calm, clear communication and problem-solving.
  • Worked closely with team members in daily meetings to align on project goals.

Trainee in Christian outreach & homeless work

Birmingham City Mission
01.1998 - 01.1999

Participated in outreach initiatives to assist homeless individuals, providing essential resources and support.

Completed one-year internship at Birmingham-based Christian charity, gaining practical experience in community support and outreach.

Gained extensive knowledge of operational tasks at city mission, enhancing service delivery for vulnerable populations.

Graphic Design Trainer

Nacro
01.1997 - 12.1997
  • Delivered graphic design training for ex-offenders, equipping them with skills to improve employability
  • Mentored learners to build subject confidence and competence.
  • Delivered training programmes within allocated timeframes.
  • Conducted regular assessments to evaluate trainee progress and identified areas requiring further attention.

Graphic Designer (part time)

South B’ham NHS
01.1995 - 12.1996
  • Delivered graphic design services for Birmingham NHS health promotion unit, creating literature and preparing print materials to enhance health messaging.
  • Developed innovative design concepts for various clients, enhancing brand visibility and engagement.
  • Created graphics for signage, packaging and digital promotions using Adobe InDesign.
  • Managed multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritising tasks to maintain high-quality output.

Graphic Designer

Self Employed
01.1992 - 12.1995
  • Developed innovative design concepts for various clients, enhancing brand visibility and engagement.
  • Created graphics for signage, packaging and digital promotions using Adobe InDesign.
  • Managed multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritising tasks to maintain high-quality output.
  • Delivered graphic design and sign making services that enhanced visibility for Birmingham businesses.

Graphic Designer

Anhadh Fashion Printers
01.1992 - 12.1992
  • Designing a variety of T-shirt graphics to be printed onto various garments

Print Assistant/Art Worker

Star Design & Print
01.1991 - 01.1992
  • producing artwork and designs for a printing shop in Birmingham

Education

K270 - The Law & social work

Open University
01-2015

KYJ113 - Foundations for Social Work Practice

Open University
01-2013

K101 - Introduction to Health and Social Care

Open University
01-2012

PGCE - Further and adult education & training

University of Wales College (Newport)
Newport, South Wales
01-1997

BA (honours) degree - Graphic Design

University of Central England in Birmingham
Birmingham
01-1991

Foundation Art & Design Diploma -

Gwent College of Higher Education
Newport, South Wales
01-1988

2 'A' Levels - Art/Design, Design/Craft/Technology

Gwent Tertiary College
Crosskeys, Gwent
01-1987

9 'O' levels - Mathematics, English Language

Cwmcarn Comprehensive School
Cwmcarn, Gwent
01-1986

Skills

  • Understanding of learning disabilities
  • Knowledge of autism
  • Awareness of mental health issues
  • Advocacy for service users
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Team collaboration
  • Decision making
  • Attention to detail
  • Workload management
  • Time management
  • Adaptability to change
  • Reliability
  • Commitment
  • Continuous professional development
  • Patience
  • IT proficiency

Custom

  • NVQ Level 2 Health & Social Care, 2006-01-01, 2006-12-31
  • NVQ Level 3 Health & Social Care, City College Birmingham, 2008-01-01, 2008-12-31
  • Learning Disabilities and Mental Health Awareness, Person Centred Support Planning, Risk Management, Training The Trainer, Asbergers Syndrome and High Functioning Autism, Mental Health training including: dealing with depression/anxiety, understanding phobias, person centred approaches to dementia, mental health awareness, mental capacity., 2006-01-01, 2006-12-31
  • Personal Development courses at Fircroft College, 2016-01-01, 2016-12-31
  • Advocacy Skills for Support Workers, Assertiveness & Decision Making, Building Personal Confidence, 2016-01-01, 2016-12-31
  • Mandatory Training including: Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, Health and safety, Lone Working Safely, Fire Safety, Emergency First Aid, Food Hygiene, 2016-01-01, 2016-12-31

Interests

  • I enjoy organising hill walking trips with a group of friends
  • Meals out and socialising is also something I really enjoy
  • Gardening - cultivating plants and flowers

Timeline

Community Support Worker – Learning Disabilities

Trident Group
07.2006 - 08.2026

Senior Night Support Officer (Homeless People)

Birmingham City Mission
01.2000 - 01.2006

Brittanic Assurance (Pertemps)

Pertemps
01.1999 - 01.2000

Trainee in Christian outreach & homeless work

Birmingham City Mission
01.1998 - 01.1999

Graphic Design Trainer

Nacro
01.1997 - 12.1997

Graphic Designer (part time)

South B’ham NHS
01.1995 - 12.1996

Graphic Designer

Self Employed
01.1992 - 12.1995

Graphic Designer

Anhadh Fashion Printers
01.1992 - 12.1992

Print Assistant/Art Worker

Star Design & Print
01.1991 - 01.1992

K270 - The Law & social work

Open University

KYJ113 - Foundations for Social Work Practice

Open University

K101 - Introduction to Health and Social Care

Open University

PGCE - Further and adult education & training

University of Wales College (Newport)

BA (honours) degree - Graphic Design

University of Central England in Birmingham

Foundation Art & Design Diploma -

Gwent College of Higher Education

2 'A' Levels - Art/Design, Design/Craft/Technology

Gwent Tertiary College

9 'O' levels - Mathematics, English Language

Cwmcarn Comprehensive School
Gary Dunning