Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Jain Downing

Welshpool,Powys
Jain Downing

Summary

I am a results-driven, ambitious and competitive business leader focused on transformative leadership and continuous improvement to drive growth and maximise profits. I am tenacious and ready to take on challenging role, meet goals and surpass expectations.

I am a motivational leader with record of success in social services environments. I have a history of maintaining efficiency and high employee satisfaction with responsive management style.

I consider myself an encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and boost performance.

I am a successful manager equipped to plan, lead and optimise operations for changing landscapes. Accomplished in developing services deemed as outstanding in 2020 Ofsted inspection, delivering above-expected results while streamlining operations. Ambitious to affect change and bring results in new environment.

Overview

29
years of professional experience

Work history

Relative Strength CIC
Welshpool, Powys

Director
08.2023 - Current

Job overview

  • Formulated business plans to increase growth and minimise cost for company.
  • Managed daily operations by overseeing financials, key performance indicators and employee performance.
  • Implemented company policies and legal guidelines.
  • Identified and resolved operational issues impacting productivity, performance or profitability.
  • Put in place clear controls for financial administration and business management.
  • Monitored operations to assess and highlight results.
  • Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth.
  • Established strong rapport with stakeholders to enhance business credibility.
  • Maintained organisational compliance with applicable legislation and regulations.
  • Served as official representative of organisation to public groups or government agencies.
  • Monitored success and progress of employees and provided additional assistance in areas requiring improvement.
  • Created training needs assessments to identify skills and knowledge gaps.
  • Implemented innovative training methods through simulations, role-plays and gamification to maximise overall employee engagement.
  • Optimised quality of training content by incorporating input from subject matter experts.
  • Assessed instructional effectiveness, analysing data to determine impact of training on company KPIs.
  • Engaged professionals in industry-specific knowledge, techniques and methodologies.
  • Produced training and supportive materials tailored to organisational needs.
  • Tracked impact of training programmes against pre-established metrics.
  • Championed goal setting and instilled culture of ongoing professional development to motivate workforce.
  • Adapted session delivery to meet specific needs of professional learners within different environments.
  • Updated and modified training syllabus to stay ahead of industry developments and maintain relevancy.
  • Planned training schedules, prepared materials and booked necessary rooms and facilities.
  • Investigated needs of and threats to organisations in various industries.
  • Implemented research findings and client feedback to improve programme material and delivery.
  • Developed soft skills by providing training in time-management, problem-solving, and effective communication.

Telford & Wrekin Council
Telford, West Midlands

Family Group Conference Team Lead
07.2017 - 12.2023

Job overview

  • Addressed customer issues with compassion and professionalism, ensuring swift, successful resolution.
  • Applied expertise in team leadership to address productivity and performance issues, motivating staff to achieve KPIs.
  • Upskilled staff through targeted training opportunities, enhancing team capabilities.
  • Conducted audits and risk assessments to achieve regulatory compliance.
  • Planned and managed resources and budget to support and deliver objectives.
  • Developed strong teams by skilfully recruiting, orienting and training loyal, hard-working employees.
  • Established strong rapport with stakeholders to enhance business credibility.
  • Identified and resolved operational issues impacting productivity, performance or profitability.
  • Maintained organisational compliance with applicable legislation and regulations.
  • Monitored operations to assess and highlight results.
  • Served as official representative of organisation to public groups or government agencies.
  • Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth.
  • Established budgets based on historical, current and forecasted business data.
  • Created and led successful business culture focused on performance.
  • Directed day-to-day work of 6 employees and motivated teams to exceed objectives.
  • Set strategic plans to govern functioning of public sector operations.
  • Provided regular supervision, systemic debrief, and APPD to staff members to support, develop and nurture the team.
  • Project development, embedding into wider children service provision, and management, working within set budgets.
  • Recruitment, selection and training of new team members.
  • providing a solution focused approach to performance issues within the team.
  • Referral generation, liaising with stakeholders and other services to promote service.
  • Audits and quality assurance.
  • Development and delivery of training to key partners both internal and external, in relation to family group conferencing, mediation and advocacy.
  • Membership and attendance of various panels to represent service, including legal forums, to provide information and guidance.
  • Providing annual reports based on quarterly summaries.


Dudley MBC
Dudley, West Midlands

Family Group Conference Service Coordinator
08.2009 - 07.2017

Job overview

Same duties as Telford and Wrekin.

Acorns Children's Hospice
Walsall, West Midlands

Sibling Support Worker
01.2004 - 04.2009

Job overview

  • Provide pre and post bereavement support to the siblings of life limited children
  • Develop and deliver sibling support groups
  • Provide individual face to face bereavement counselling
  • Develop and deliver training in regards to bereavement awareness
  • Support and provide group supervision to team of volunteers
  • Coordinate volunteer activity in relation to group sessions
  • Liaise with other agencies to promote the service
  • Provide intensive support at time of bereavement.

Wolverhampton City Council
Wolverhampton, West Midlands

Cluster Coordinator (youth service)
04.1999 - 01.2004

Job overview

  • Upheld stringent policies, procedures to maintain consistent workplace standards.
  • Maintained expenditure reports detailing breakdown of costs spent on supplies, equipment and services.
  • Directed administrative activities to maintain robust reporting and document management standards.
  • Controlled expenditure to cut costs and achieve financial targets.
  • Management of cluster of 3 youth centres and outreach service
  • Development of program of activities
  • Coordination of youth groups
  • Risk assessment, health and safety
  • Recruitment, and training of sessional youth workers
  • Report writing
  • Curriculum delivery
  • Liaising with partner agencies
  • Ensuring Safeguarding and child protection procedures were implemented by all employees
  • Multi agency working
  • Specialist program development
  • Performance management
  • Audits and data management

Wolverhampton City Council
Wolverhampton, West Midlands

Sessional Youth Worker
04.1997 - 04.1999

Job overview

  • Built trusting rapport, mentoring specific young people in diverse subjects and interests.
  • Built and maintained positive relationships with young clients from ages 11- 18 through youth club and outreach activities to achieve the best outcomes for the young people I worked with.
  • Approached youth challenges with empathy and mentored individuals in critical thinking and problem-solving.
  • Encouraged participation and engagement in planned activities.
  • Role modelled positive behaviour and interpersonal skills.
  • Supported youth workers in organising and carrying out classroom or outdoor activities.
  • Organised inclusive sporting activities, encouraging teamwork and collaboration.
  • Provided comprehensive assistance in multi-disciplinary environment.
  • Produced high-quality materials such as arts and crafts and other media and music for individual and group sessions, maximising opportunities to understand and meet youth needs.
  • Helped young children to develop critical life skills through educational play.
  • Directed activities to promote growth in mental, emotional and educational areas.
  • Helped with coordination and supervision of youth activities and delivered positive interventions.
  • Maintained awareness of child protection issues and established procedures.
  • Safeguarded young people in line with national guidelines.
  • Created and ran specialist projects focused on improving welfare and outcomes for young people.
  • Facilitated targeted group sessions, encouraging group members to share experiences and offer mutual support for enhanced outcomes.

Tettenhall College
Wolverhampton, West Midlands

Reprographics Assistant
11.1994 - 08.1996

Job overview

  • Facilitated and processed incoming calls and emails, distributing relevant information to necessary departments.
  • Produced and distributed monthly reports using Excel knowledge, enabling improved business analysis.
  • Offered excellent customer service to colleagues and external representatives, maintaining company reputation.
  • Managed queries in person, by phone and via email with exceptional customer care.
  • Provided dependable administrative support to senior staff, enabling them to freely handle high-importance tasks.
  • Monitored office inventory supplies, re-ordering for service provisions.
  • Cultivated and deepened relationships with customers by providing exceptional service.
  • Produced printed resources for teaching staff.
  • served customers in stationary shop.
  • carried out stocktaker and carried out basic accounts and inventory.

Education

Arden University
Coventry

Bachelor of Science from Psychology
01/2022

University of Birmingham
Birmingham

Diploma of Higher Education from Community, Play and Youth Studies
09/2000 - 03/2003

Dudley College of Technology
Dudley

Certificate of Higher Education from Education and Training
01/2015 - 09/2015

West Midlands Open College Network
Wolverhampton

Level 3 from Mediation
04/2015 - 04/2015

University of Birmingham
Birmingham

Certificate of Higher Education from Enabling Others, Practice Assessors Award
01/2012 - 07/2012

Family Rights Group
London

Level 3 from Family Group Conference Coordination
09/2009 - 09/2009

Cruse Bereavement services
Birmingham

GCSEs from Bereavement Counselling Skills
04/2006 - 05/2006

Old Hall Street Adult Education
Wolverhampton

A-Levels from Bookkeeping and Accounts
09/1995 - 03/1996

Stafford College
Stafford

A-Levels from Craft, Design and Practice
09/1986 - 07/1987

Stafford College
Stafford

GCSEs from Art
09/1986 - 07/1987

Stafford College
Stafford

GCSEs from English Language
09/1985 - 07/1986

Smestow School
Wolverhampton

GCSEs from History
09/1983 - 07/1985

Smestow School
Wolverhampton

GCSEs from Biology
09/1983 - 07/1985

Smestow School
Wolverhampton

GCSEs from Music
09/1983 - 07/1985

Triple P Parenting
Australia

Level 4 from Group Triple P Parenting
01/2010 - 02/2010

Triple P Parenting
Australia

Level 4 from Group Teen Triple P Parenting
01/2015 - 02/2015

Wolverhampton City Council
Wolverhampton

GCSEs from Skills To Fostering
10.2015 - 10.2015

Skills

  • Business development
  • Recruiting and hiring
  • Employee management
  • Business administration
  • Project budgeting
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Strategies and goals
  • Business planning
  • Daily operations
  • Staff development
  • Rules and regulations
  • Customer service
  • Motivational mentor
  • Emotional support abilities
  • Effective caseload management
  • Harm prevention techniques
  • UK Child Protection legislation
  • Effective leadership
  • Goal setting session coordination
  • Counselling experience
  • Behavioural interventions expertise
  • Interactive classes
  • Lesson planning
  • Academic performance reporting
  • Group tutoring
  • Zoom tutoring
  • Creativity
  • Student-centred learning
  • Conflict resolution
  • Self-motivated

Timeline

Director

Relative Strength CIC
08.2023 - Current

Family Group Conference Team Lead

Telford & Wrekin Council
07.2017 - 12.2023

Wolverhampton City Council

GCSEs from Skills To Fostering
10.2015 - 10.2015

Family Group Conference Service Coordinator

Dudley MBC
08.2009 - 07.2017

Sibling Support Worker

Acorns Children's Hospice
01.2004 - 04.2009

Cluster Coordinator (youth service)

Wolverhampton City Council
04.1999 - 01.2004

Sessional Youth Worker

Wolverhampton City Council
04.1997 - 04.1999

Reprographics Assistant

Tettenhall College
11.1994 - 08.1996

Arden University

Bachelor of Science from Psychology
01/2022

University of Birmingham

Diploma of Higher Education from Community, Play and Youth Studies
09/2000 - 03/2003

Dudley College of Technology

Certificate of Higher Education from Education and Training
01/2015 - 09/2015

West Midlands Open College Network

Level 3 from Mediation
04/2015 - 04/2015

University of Birmingham

Certificate of Higher Education from Enabling Others, Practice Assessors Award
01/2012 - 07/2012

Family Rights Group

Level 3 from Family Group Conference Coordination
09/2009 - 09/2009

Cruse Bereavement services

GCSEs from Bereavement Counselling Skills
04/2006 - 05/2006

Old Hall Street Adult Education

A-Levels from Bookkeeping and Accounts
09/1995 - 03/1996

Stafford College

A-Levels from Craft, Design and Practice
09/1986 - 07/1987

Stafford College

GCSEs from Art
09/1986 - 07/1987

Stafford College

GCSEs from English Language
09/1985 - 07/1986

Smestow School

GCSEs from History
09/1983 - 07/1985

Smestow School

GCSEs from Biology
09/1983 - 07/1985

Smestow School

GCSEs from Music
09/1983 - 07/1985

Triple P Parenting

Level 4 from Group Triple P Parenting
01/2010 - 02/2010

Triple P Parenting

Level 4 from Group Teen Triple P Parenting
01/2015 - 02/2015
Jain Downing