Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Additional Information
Personal Information
Affiliations
Accomplishments
Certification
References
Timeline
Generic

Gemma Harris

Greater Manchester,Bolton

Summary

Results-driven Team Leader with knack for fostering team collaboration and driving project success. Led teams to streamline operations and enhance productivity, ensuring project completion on time and within scope. Known for cultivating supportive work environment, resulting in improved team morale and reduced turnover.

Adept at meeting facilitation, performance tracking, and critical evaluation, ensuring influential communication and resilience under pressure.

Proven track record in project management, conflict resolution, and team leadership, utilising Salesforce CRM and Microsoft Office Suite.

Demonstrates exceptional decision-making capacity and change implementation skills, bolstered by a strong background in people management and client relations. Career goal: to leverage skills in risk management and data analysis to drive organisational success and innovation.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Team Leader

Victim Support
National
04.2024 - 04.2025
  • Lead a team of 12 geographically dispersed, remote-working caseworkers to deliver support to families who have been bereaved or have witnessed homicide, and further support the higher management team.
  • Responsibilities encompass recruitment, case reviews to monitor the delivery of the service, caseworker 1:1s, case studies, delivering/securing training, performance management, and staff development.
  • Utilise data analysis related to our work processes and outcomes to help us understand how well we are meeting our quality standards. Additionally, this data forms the basis of my report to funders, providing them with evidence of our effectiveness and responsible use of resources.
  • Project management lead responsibilities.
  • Work with national stakeholders to develop the service to meet the individual needs of the clients, secure funding for additional staff through project development which has enabled additional in-person support delivery in educational settings and family homes.
  • Project manage a peer support service that fosters meaningful connections among service users with shared lived experiences, primarily facilitated online and through residential packages.
  • Develop and manage an outreach support package providing immediate assistance to major incidents, whereby homicide has affected communities, concentrating on psychological first aid and enhancing professional skills for sustainable long-term support.
  • Travel extensively within England and Wales to Engage with external stakeholders through compelling presentations that showcase the capabilities and impact of our service.
  • Designated safeguarding officer for the national service, ensuring that the organisation has robust policies and procedures in place to protect children and vulnerable adults, training staff, managing concerns and liaising with external agencies such as social services and the police when necessary.


Senior Caseworker

Victim Support
06.2023 - 04.2024
  • Focused on complex casework while leading a diverse team of six remote case workers from across England and Wales.
  • Conducted case reviews, individual meetings, including performance management discussions to improve team performance.
  • Oversaw recruitment, onboarding, and training initiatives to cultivate a skilled workforce.
  • Delivered service presentations to external partners and stakeholders to enhance collaboration.
  • Analysed audit reports to achieve key performance indicators and optimise operational efficiency.
  • Reason for leaving: My role was redefined as a Team Leader due to a service restructuring.

Children & Young People's Caseworker

Victim Support
08.2021 - 06.2023
  • Joined a newly established project offering tailored digital support to children and young individuals affected by homicide.
  • Received comprehensive training in delivering holistic and therapeutic psycho-educational trauma support through internal facilitators and external providers.
  • Upon completion of training, my responsibilities included: Collaborating with families to address their needs - Designing and facilitating customised support sessions through an online platform - Conducting risk and needs assessments - Providing advocacy as required - Ensuring the safeguarding of adults and vulnerable young people - Engaging within multi-agency environments.
  • Reason for leaving: Secured a career progression opportunity through application and interview.

Independent Victim Advocate

Victim Support
Greater Manchester
01.2020 - 08.2021
  • Assisted crime victims in meeting their emotional, practical, and advocacy requirements, collaborating with volunteers.
  • Undertook training in Domestic Abuse Awareness and Safeguarding with an emphasis on complex cases; quickly adapted to remote work due to Covid-19 restrictions.
  • Moved to the specialised team, focusing on the needs of complex adult cases and children and young people.
  • Reason for leaving: Career advancement opportunity following a successful application and interview.

Service Delivery Assistant

Victim Support
Greater Manchester
08.2019 - 01.2020
  • Delivered administrative support across all teams, ensuring quality assurance for referrals submitted for victims by external agencies.
  • Acted as the first point of contact for the helpline, facilitating communication and assistance.
  • Executed data entry within the case management system, maintaining accurate records.
  • Completed various general office tasks to support operational efficiency.
  • Reason for leaving: Secured career progression opportunity through application and interview.

Case Administrator

Greater Manchester Community Rehabilitation Company
Greater Manchester
08.2014 - 01.2017
  • Resumed previous role upon returning from career break, transitioning into the private sector funded by Interserve Justice.
  • Reason for leaving: Departed due to concerns regarding public safety and the detrimental effects of impact targets.

Operational Support Officer

National Probation Service
Greater Manchester
08.2005 - 12.2010
  • Extensive work within the criminal justice sector, working with individuals who have been convicted of crimes.
  • Provided administrative support to probation officers, working collaboratively to the main goals of protecting the public and reducing reoffending.
  • Contributed to court proceedings by helping to prepare detailed reports and developed a wide range of standardised letter formats.
  • Liaised with service users and managed diary planning while operating in high-pressure environments.
  • Worked within a variety of locations including prisons, magistrate/ crown courts and local authority organisations.
  • Reason for leaving: I took a career break to dedicate my time to my home and family.

Planning Officer

H&A Prestige Bottling Limited
Preston, Lancashire
10.2004 - 08.2005
  • Planned and developed products, ensuring alignment with market requirements.
  • Ordered resources to meet product specifications and timelines.
  • Attended interdepartmental meetings to collaborate on project goals.
  • Distributed products effectively to retailers to optimise sales.
  • Reason for leaving: Pursued a career opportunity in the criminal justice sector.

Military Police

Royal Air Force
Various Locations
08.1999 - 10.2004
  • Achieved the rank of Corporal.
  • Specialised training in both military procedures and common law principles.
  • Significant collaboration with joint military organisations, such as the Army and Navy.
  • Played a supporting role in a major police operation which resulted in my recognition being honored by receiving the Provost Marshal Award.
  • Stationed at various bases within England and Scotland.
  • Served in various international assignments.
  • Reason for leaving: Due to unforeseen circumstances related to becoming a single parent, I was honorably discharged from my position.

Education

GCSE - 9 GCSE's gained including English, Maths and Science

Hesketh Fletcher Church of England High School
Greater Manchester

BTEC National Diploma - Animal Care and Husbandry

Myerscough Agricultural College

Skills

  • Project Management
  • Data analysis
  • Risk Management
  • KPI setting and management
  • Goal-Oriented approach
  • Budget forecasting
  • Change implementation
  • People Management
  • Performance tracking

Languages

English
Fluent

Additional Information

Full UK Driving Licence, Access to personal vehicle and business insurance, DBS Enhanced Security Clearance obtained

Personal Information

Gender: Female

Affiliations

  • Volunteer at Armed Forces Veteran coffee and chat workshop
  • Running at charitable events
  • Spending quality time with my family and friends

Accomplishments

Received Provost Marshals Award for supporting Cambridgeshire Police with a major murder investigation in 2002.

Certification

Designated Safeguarding Officer Qualification


Leadership Management Training Qualification

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Team Leader

Victim Support
04.2024 - 04.2025

Senior Caseworker

Victim Support
06.2023 - 04.2024

Children & Young People's Caseworker

Victim Support
08.2021 - 06.2023

Independent Victim Advocate

Victim Support
01.2020 - 08.2021

Service Delivery Assistant

Victim Support
08.2019 - 01.2020

Case Administrator

Greater Manchester Community Rehabilitation Company
08.2014 - 01.2017

Operational Support Officer

National Probation Service
08.2005 - 12.2010

Planning Officer

H&A Prestige Bottling Limited
10.2004 - 08.2005

Military Police

Royal Air Force
08.1999 - 10.2004

BTEC National Diploma - Animal Care and Husbandry

Myerscough Agricultural College

GCSE - 9 GCSE's gained including English, Maths and Science

Hesketh Fletcher Church of England High School

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Gemma Harris