Gemma Thomas
Keighley ,West Yorkshire
Summary
Experienced social worker with a strong foundation in building professional relationships, trust, and clear communication, ensuring consistency and respect in all interactions. Adept at multidisciplinary teamwork, care planning, and strategic problem-solving, with a proven ability to remain calm under pressure. Skilled in resourcefulness and strategic planning, contributing to effective decision-making and collaborative success.
Offering strong interpersonal and communication skills, along with compassionate approach to supporting children in need. Ready to use and develop problem-solving, empathy, and advocacy skills in Placement Coordination role.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Social worker
Bradford Children's and Families Trust
Keighley, Bradford
09.2023 - Current
- Child focused and enthusiastic social worker with 18 months experience of working with Children Looked After. Experience of safeguarding, supporting children through transitions, including placement moves, reunification plans, Special Guardianship Orders and adoptions.
- Led team meetings in order to foster a collaborative working environment amongst colleagues whilst sharing key updates about ongoing cases.
- Collaborated with officials to prepare required legal documentation for court proceedings.
- Attend Multi-disciplinary meetings, stability meetings, strategy meetings, and write comprehensive assessments such as viability assessments, Special Guardianship assessments, support plans, Discharge Statements for court.
- Coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams to create comprehensive care plans.
- Create comprehensive care plans individually designed to reflected each child's unique needs and preferences.
- Established trustful relationships with clients to facilitate open communication.
- Ensured child safety by conducting regular home visits and risk assessments.
- Maintained up-to-date case records for accurate documentation of progress or concerns.
- Responded calmly to manage crises and emergency situations.
- Collaborated with other professionals in health and social care to coordinate holistic support.
- Advocated on behalf of children to protect their best interests.
- Exercised professional judgement to implement interventions and make tough decisions.
- Reported on case progress, updates and interventions in alignment with regulatory standards.
- Oversaw multiple social work cases simultaneously, directing assessments and recommending best courses of action.
Supervising social worker
Parallel Parents
Bradford, West Yorkshire
08.2022 - 02.2023
- Advocated for the rights and needs of clients during multi-agency meetings.
- Provided ongoing supervision for foster carers enhancing their professional development.
- Established and maintained professional relationships to offer objective guidance and support.
- Advocated on behalf of foster carers to protect their best interests.
- Ensured foster carers maintained accurate, up-to-date and confidential files in line with reporting standards.
- Promoted carers well-being through effective case management, and advocacy.
- Exercised professional judgement to implement interventions and make tough decisions.
- Reported on case progress, updates and interventions in alignment with regulatory standards.
Education
Master of Social Work - Social Science
York University
North Yorks, North Yorkshire 09.2018 - 07.2022
Skills
- Building professional relationships, building trust, clear communication, consistency and respect
- Multidisciplinary teamwork
- Care planning
- Calm under pressure
- Problem-solving
- Strategic planning
- Resourcefulness
Certification
- Member of the Social Work England registration
Affiliations
- Family and friends, hot yoga, being out in nature, dog walks.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Social worker
Bradford Children's and Families Trust
09.2023 - Current
Supervising social worker
Parallel Parents
08.2022 - 02.2023
Master of Social Work - Social Science
York University
09.2018 - 07.2022
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