Gina Sabina Cicos
West Cambourne,GB
Summary
I am a social work student in my final year, undertaking the final phase of my 100-day practice placement with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Regional Adoption Agency in Huntingdon, having the completion scheduled for the end of March. I have contributed to prospective adopters recruitment and assessment processes, while also supporting post-adoption support cases. During my course, I have gained a strong knowledge of legislation, safeguarding and assessment frameworks, including the Children’s Act 1989, Working Together to safeguard Children 2023, Adoption Act 2002, Human rights Act 1998 alongside theories such as Attachment Theory and Ecological Systems Theory. Through both placement experiences and academic work, I have developed skills in assessment and Intervention by using Person-Centred and strengths-based approaches and used my advocacy skills to ensure the service user's voice is heard.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work history
100-day Placement RAA
Cambridgeshire County Council
Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire
2025.09 - Current
- Developed strong assessment and report-writing skills through completing statutory adoption documentation and case recordings.
- Conducted home visits with prospective adopters to assess suitability, capacity and home environment, contributing to evidence-based recommendations.
- Deepened knowledge of trauma and trauma-informed practice, applying this understanding when assessing adopters’ ability to meet children’s complex needs.
- Organised and facilitated Teams meetings where home visits were not appropriate, ensuring continued engagement and assessment.
- Attended linking meetings and supported prospective adopters during Stage 1 of the adoption process, contributing to recommendations and planning.
- Completed home safety checklists and drafted Stage 1, Stage 2 and Matching Agreements in line with adoption procedures.
- Maintained accurate and up-to-date records on Liquidlogic, tracking documentation received from prospective adopters and completing clear case notes.
- Completed Adoption Support Plans (ASP), Adoption Placement Reports (APR) and Prospective Adopter Reports (PAR) in preparation for panel and matching approval.
70-day placement , Inclusion Team
Orchard Park Community Primary School
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
2024.09 - 2025.03
- Completed direct work with children on a one-to-one and group basis, supporting emotional wellbeing, behaviour and social development.
- Planned and ran a KS2 lunchtime wellbeing group, covering topics such as self-esteem, healthy relationships, kindness, mental health and emotional awareness.
- Applied attachment theory when observing children’s responses during school drop-off and pick-up, using this understanding to inform discussions around emotional security, separation and relationships with parents and carers.
- Used ecological systems theory to understand the wider factors affecting children’s wellbeing, particularly when supporting children from single-parent households facing challenges at home.
- Worked alongside the school’s safeguarding team to identify concerns and promote early support for children and families.
- Logged safeguarding concerns accurately on MyConcern and followed up appropriately in line with school safeguarding procedures.
- Attended Child in Need meetings on behalf of the school, contributing information and updates about the children I was directly working with.
- Provided updates on direct work during Child Protection Conferences, sharing observations about children’s progress, needs and wellbeing.
- Took part in Team Around the Family (TAF) meetings, contributing to multi-agency planning and coordinated support.
- Liaised regularly with parents and carers, meeting with them to discuss concerns, share updates and provide feedback on their child’s progress.
- Discussed safeguarding and wellbeing concerns with parents in a sensitive and professional manner, supporting open communication.
- Researched and identified charities and community resources to support families, including funding opportunities for children to access extra-curricular activities.
- Supported children experiencing emotionally based school refusal (EBSR) by identifying resources and strategies to improve engagement with education.
- Worked closely with teachers, DSLs and SENCOs to gain a shared understanding of children’s needs and ensure consistent support.
Business support officer
Cambridgeshire County Council
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
2022.07 - 2023.10
- Organised ICPCs and RCPCs using Liquidlogic, making sure plans, conference attendees and key documents were reflected accurately in the child's record.
- Ended Child Protection Plans and started Child in Need Plans on Liquidlogic, ensuring children’s records reflected the right level of support.
- Took detailed minutes during Initial and Review Child Protection Conferences. Recorded in the minutes significant events in the family’s history, including past concerns and involvement. Captured current safeguarding concerns, risks, and any grey areas or uncertainties. Noted what was working well and the family’s strengths. Included the voice of the child and the views of the parents. Documented professional decisions about whether the child should be placed under Child Protection, remain on a Child Protection Plan, or step down to Child in Need support.
- Arranged multi-agency meetings through Microsoft Teams, sending invites to professionals and parents to support good communication.
- Sent physical invitations, plans and conference minutes to parents’ home addresses to ensure they received key information in a timely way.
- Kept children’s electronic records up to date by recording the child protection/child in need plans in Liquidlogic.
- Uploaded conference minutes, reports, and supporting documents to ensure information was easy to access and properly stored.
- Worked closely with partner agencies such as health (GP, HV, Midwifery) and education, reminding professionals to send reports on time ahead of conferences.
- Made translation requests when parents’ first language was not English, helping them to take part fully in the process.
- Provided extra support by taking minutes for LADO meetings when the business support team was short staffed.
- Attended regular training and supervision sessions to develop my knowledge and improve my support for facilitating the conferences.
Sales Advisor
Concentrix
Pearmill
2021.02 - 2022.07
- Used effective questioning and active listening to understand people’s needs and provide appropriate, tailored products or advice.
- Demonstrated a person-centred approach by identifying what each customer required and offering suitable devices/accessories.
- Responded calmly and professionally to concerns or requests, ensuring people felt heard and supported.
- Developed rapport quickly with people from diverse backgrounds, adapting my communication style to suit different ages and needs.
- Maintained accurate records and completed tasks efficiently to support smooth day-to-day service delivery.
Customer Service Specialist
Booking.com
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
2019.05 - 2020.12
- Responded promptly to enquiries via phone, email and live chat, providing clear information and practical support tailored to individual needs.
- Handled complex concerns and complaints with a calm and professional approach, helping customers reach positive outcomes during stressful situations, including cases where accommodation providers had overbooked and no reservation was available on arrival.
- Supported people from a wide range of backgrounds, adapting communication styles and overcoming language barriers where needed.
- During the COVID-19 period, provided additional support to the Chinese-language service line due to high demand and significant backlogs.
- Used active listening and appropriate questioning to understand issues, offer reassurance and explain options clearly.
- Acted as a link between customers and internal teams, ensuring accurate information was shared and issues were followed up in a timely way.
- Handled confidential and sensitive information responsibly, in line with data protection and organisational policies.
- Worked effectively in a fast-paced environment with high call volumes, managing pressure while maintaining a high standard of service.
Receptionist
St James Hotels
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
2017.02 - 2019.05
- Welcomed and supported high volume of guests in person and by phone, using clear communication and a calm, professional approach.
- Reviewed and explained booking details, charges and reservations, ensuring information was accurate and understood.
- Handled service-related concerns and complaints with empathy and professionalism, working to resolve issues promptly and fairly.
- Used active listening to understand concerns, provide reassurance and identify appropriate solutions.
- Maintained accurate records, including reservations and account details, ensuring information was complete and up to date.
- Managed confidential personal and payment information responsibly, following data protection and confidentiality standards.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments with high check-in and check-out volumes, maintaining attention to detail under pressure.
- Acted as a point of contact between guests and hotel teams, helping to coordinate responses and follow up on actions.
- Delivered messages, post and items promptly, ensuring clear communication and good service continuity.
- Built positive relationships with guests from a wide range of backgrounds, adapting communication to individual needs.
Waitress
St James Hotels
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
2016.06 - 2017.02
Shift Leader
TGI Friday's
Nicosia, Cyprus
2014.03 - 2016.06
Accountant
Apli Mag Finance
Bucharest, Romania
2012.07 - 2014.04
Education
A-Levels - Hydrography and Meteorology Specialist
Valeriu D. Cotea
Focsani, Romania 2007.09 - 2011.06
Bachelor of Business Administration - Business Management
Romanian-American University
Bucharest 2011.09 - 2014.06
Skills
- Calm under pressure
- Child-centred
- Safeguarding and risk awareness
- Adoption assessment and support for prospective adopters
- Trauma-informed and attachment-aware practice
- Active listening
- Professional curiosity
- Working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds
- Accurate minute-taking for safeguarding and adoption processes
- Great time management and organisational skills
Languages
English
Proficient (C2)
Romanian
Native
IT Skills
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, Outlook, Liquidlogic and other internal council software
Timeline
100-day Placement RAA
Cambridgeshire County Council
2025.09 - Current
70-day placement , Inclusion Team
Orchard Park Community Primary School
2024.09 - 2025.03
Business support officer
Cambridgeshire County Council
2022.07 - 2023.10
Sales Advisor
Concentrix
2021.02 - 2022.07
Customer Service Specialist
Booking.com
2019.05 - 2020.12
Receptionist
St James Hotels
2017.02 - 2019.05
Waitress
St James Hotels
2016.06 - 2017.02
Shift Leader
TGI Friday's
2014.03 - 2016.06
Accountant
Apli Mag Finance
2012.07 - 2014.04
Bachelor of Business Administration - Business Management
Romanian-American University
2011.09 - 2014.06
A-Levels - Hydrography and Meteorology Specialist
Valeriu D. Cotea
2007.09 - 2011.06