Hayley Smithson
Crawley,West Sussex
Summary
I am an experienced professional with a strong background in direct work with children, young people, and their parents/carers. Proficient in maintaining records and chronologies, assessment and intervention, and writing Detailed Assessments and Action Plans. Skilled in multi-agency working, understanding community support and the Local Offer, IT literacy including Word, and knowledge of Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies.
Compassionate Family Support Worker committed to achieving positive outcomes for diverse service users. Experienced in assessments, care planning and case recording for well-rounded support. Organised and flexible to meet changing job and client requirements.
Offering strong background in communication, empathy, and organisational skills. Knowledgeable about supporting families with diverse needs and creating safe, nurturing environment. Ready to use and develop listening, problem-solving, and teamwork skills in a Child and Family Worker role.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Family Support Worker
West Sussex County Council
Horsham, West Sussex
07.2024 - Current
- Liaised closely with social services to safeguard at-risk children.
- Assessed needs of families for better service provision.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams for effective planning to safeguard children/young people.
- Facilitated group sessions to improve parenting skills and family dynamics.
- Maintained detailed case notes, aiding in decision making processes.
- Facilitated TAF meetings.
- Attended training to ensure good practice.
- Adhered to guidance.
- Have a good understanding of Safeguarding and Child Protection.
- I am a Contextual Safeguarding Champion.
- Supported children/young people and their parent/carer.
- Referred children/young people and/or their parent/carer to other agencies for support.
- Conducted home visits, ensuring a safe environment for children.
- Offered advice on budget management, reducing financial stress in households.
- Improved children's behaviour by implementing structure and routine.
- Worked closely with other agencies.
- Worked closely with schools; improved child attendance rates.
Pre-School key person
Ready, Steady, Grow Pre-School
Crawley, West Sussex
10.2019 - 06.2024
- Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Planned age appropriate activities.
- Liaised with parent/carers and outside agencies.
- Attended TAF meetings.
- Attended staff meetings.
- Was a key-person for 12 children.
- Attended relevant training including Safeguarding, Inclusion and paediatric first aid.
- Facilitated parent/carer evenings.
- Followed policies and procedures.
- Quickly learned and applied new skills to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Supported team by demonstrating respect and willingness to help.
- Was a mentor for new members of staff.
- Offered a friendly service and handled challenging situations with ease.
- Cleaned work areas and equipment to maintain faultless hygiene standards.
- Increased customer satisfaction by resolving issues.
- Improved efficiency and productivity by acquiring new skills.
- Completed duties to deliver on targets with accuracy and efficiency.
- Displayed energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
Pre-School Manager
Dormans Pre-School
Crawley, West Sussex
02.2012 - 10.2019
- Established strong relationships with parents through regular interaction; enhanced trust and confidence in our services as a result.
- Implemented creative learning strategies, sparking curiosity and interest among children towards studies.
- Boosted children's cognitive development with interactive learning activities.
- Fostered a nurturing environment with implementation of child-centric policies and practices.
- Ensured compliance with all relevant education standards through constant monitoring and evaluation of teaching methods and curricula.
- Managed budget effectively whilst ensuring optimum utilisation of financial resources available for running the preschool smoothly.
- Managed a team of staff.
- Conducted regular staff meetings to foster an open communication culture within the institution.
- Coordinated parent-teacher meetings to enhance mutual understanding and collaboration towards child development.
- Streamlined administrative procedures for increased operational efficiency within the preschool.
- Organised school events to promote community engagement, fostering a sense of belonging amongst students and parents alike.
- Maintained detailed records on each child's progress to provide personalised attention as needed.
- Created an inclusive learning environment which catered to diverse needs of children; promoted equality amongst students consequently.
- Reviewed and adjusted school policies regularly, keeping them aligned with latest educational trends and regulations.
- Enhanced child safety by implementing stringent security measures across the preschool.
- Facilitated professional development workshops for staff members, leading to improved teaching techniques over time.
- Set up equipment and materials ahead of recreational activities.
- Prepared daily lessons to cover specific topics supporting children's educational, physical and social development.
- Created and maintained welcoming, safe and tidy space to promote children's development.
- Maintained records of children's daily activities, meals and medications administered.
- Helped children with personal hygiene needs and taught young children to independently complete care tasks.
- Engaged children in stimulating learning-based activities and games.
- Developed positive, trusting relationships with groups of young children.
- Observed children at play to monitor behaviour and social interactions, intervening in serious conflicts.
- Read stories and lead activities to help children build foundational learning skills.
- Supervised groups of up to 30 children.
- Advised parents on how to manage disruptive or unsocial behaviours at home.
- Role-modelled desired behaviours, habits and actions.
- Upheld reliable routines to minimise children's stress and anxiety.
Education
NVQ Level 3 - Children's Care, Learning and Development
CACHE
09.2008 - 11.2010
GCSEs -
The Holy Trinity School
Crawley, West Sussex 09.1994 - 07.1998
Skills
I have experience in completing direct work with children/young people and their parents/carers
I have experience in maintaining records and chronologies
I have experience in assessment and intervention and writing the Detailed Assessment and Action Plan
I have experience in multi-agency working
I have an understanding of support available within the community and in the Local Offer
I have a good understanding of Word and am IT literate
I have an understanding of Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies
Accomplishments
I have recently received recognition during a whole team meeting for my commitment to Contextual Safeguarding and positive outcomes met.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Family Support Worker
West Sussex County Council
07.2024 - Current
Pre-School key person
Ready, Steady, Grow Pre-School
10.2019 - 06.2024
Pre-School Manager
Dormans Pre-School
02.2012 - 10.2019
NVQ Level 3 - Children's Care, Learning and Development
CACHE
09.2008 - 11.2010
GCSEs -
The Holy Trinity School
09.1994 - 07.1998
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