Jenna Cottam
Wigan,Lancashire
Summary
Compassionate Senior Social Worker experienced in child protection and social policy advocacy. Achieved significant improvements in client outcomes through tailored support plans and community outreach programmes that enhanced service accessibility and engagement. Focused on delivering consistent, high-quality care while fostering positive team dynamics and streamlining processes for better service delivery.
Overview
7
7
years of post-secondary education
22
22
years of professional experience
Work history
Senior social worker
Wigan Council
Wigan, Greater Manchester
2026.03 - Current
- Handled complex caseloads and achieved positive outcomes for clients.
- Implemented child protection measures, safeguarding children at risk of harm.
- Facilitated counselling sessions to alleviate emotional distress amongst service users.
- Developed personalised care plans, leading to increased client satisfaction.
- Advocated effectively on behalf of vulnerable individuals, ensuring their rights were upheld.
- Prepared detailed case reports that positively influenced decision-making processes in court hearings.
- Provided crisis intervention services during emergencies, preventing further deterioration of situations.
- Coordinated multi-disciplinary team meetings, improving communication and collaboration amongst professionals.
- Collaborated with other professionals in health and social care to coordinate holistic support.
- Responded calmly to manage crises and emergency situations.
- Enhanced community integration by implementing effective social care plans.
- Conducted home visits to assess needs and provide appropriate assistance.
- Evaluated and addressed individual client needs and concerns through targeted assessments.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge about welfare legislation changes, ensuring compliance in practice.
- Advised families on available resources and benefits helping them navigate the welfare system effectively.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals, resulting in improved patient care.
- Built strong relationships with local authorities for the betterment of service delivery.
- Exercised professional judgement to implement interventions and make tough decisions.
- Maintained accurate, up-to-date and confidential files in line with reporting standards.
- Managed assigned caseload documentation in alignment with regulatory requirements and standards.
- Worked with community organisations to create access to resources and assistance to meet client varying needs.
- Attended regular training and supervision workshops for improved service user support.
- Adhered to safeguarding principles to protect service users from risk.
- Maintained confidential case documentation in line with data protection regulations.
- Established and maintained professional relationships to offer objective guidance and support.
- Offered trauma-informed resources and care options for clients undergoing crises.
Social worker
Salford City Council
Salford
2022.05 - 2026.03
- Managed complex cases involving mental health and substance misuse issues, resulting in improved living conditions for service users.
- Provided crisis intervention during high-stress situations, ensuring immediate support was delivered.
- Enhanced service user well-being through targeted emotional support and practical advice.
- Established trustful relationships with clients to facilitate open communication.
- Advocated on behalf of service users to protect their best interests.
- Coordinated with multi-disciplinary teams to create comprehensive care plans.
- Assessed client needs for appropriate referral to specialist services.
- Guided clients through application processes for governmental assistance.
- Encouraged clients to develop independent living skills through tailored support plans. and positive well-being when working with vulnerable adults and children.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions, enhancing interpersonal skills amongst participants.
- Decreased instances of family conflict through mediation and conflict resolution techniques.
- Responded calmly to manage crises and emergency situations.
- Collaborated with other professionals in health and social care to coordinate holistic support.
- Maintained accurate, up-to-date and confidential files in line with reporting standards.
- Safeguarded client information with strict adherence to privacy and data security policies.
- Adhered to safeguarding principles to protect service users from risk.
- Maintained up-to-date case records for accurate documentation of progress or concerns.
- Exercised professional judgement to implement interventions and make tough decisions.
- Oversaw multiple social work cases simultaneously, directing assessments, conducting interviews and recommending best courses of action.
- Established strategic partnerships within local community, broadening service provision opportunities for clients.
- Maintained confidential case documentation in line with data protection regulations.
- Attended regular training and supervision workshops for improved service user support.
- Prepared reports for legal action and provided evidence in court.
- Reported on case progress, updates and interventions in alignment with regulatory standards.
- Worked with community organisations to create access to resources and assistance to meet client varying needs.
- Conducted thorough assessments of client socio-economic status which helped tailor more effective aid interventions.
- Established and maintained professional relationships to offer objective guidance and support.
- Promoted independence and positive well-being when working with vulnerable adults and children.
- Attended regular training and supervision workshops for improved service user support.
- Oversaw multiple social work cases simultaneously, directing assessments, conducting interviews and recommending best courses of action.
- Maintained confidential case documentation in line with data protection regulations.
- Prepared reports for legal action and provided evidence in court.
Social Care Officer
Wigan Council
Wigan
2015.06 - 2022.03
- Developed personalised care plans to meet specific needs of each individual.
- Safeguarded elderly residents under care, meeting individual health and wellbeing needs.
- Improved patient comfort by providing personal care and attention.
- Delivered mental support resulting in improved emotional well-being of patients.
- Built and maintained helping relationships with elderly residents and their families.
- Created friendly environment with active listening and empathetic communication.
- Encouraged independence amongst residents, boosting self-confidence.
- Facilitated social activities to boost patient morale.
- Coordinated recreational activities which resulted in increased resident participation.
- Arranged transport for hospital visits or outings, facilitating access to needed services.
- Collaborated with medical staff to ensure comprehensive patient care.
- Maintained confidentiality of patient records in line with data protection regulations.
- Established daily priorities and coordinated general daily tasks to maintain smooth-running operations.
- Engaged with local communities to identify social care needs and promote available services. to promote social awareness and care.
- Applied holistic approach to social services, maintaining long-term well-being of elderly residents.
- Demonstrated leadership in social service cases, managing ethical issues and taking decisive actions.
- Built trustful relationships through consistent reliability and professionalism.
- Maintained clean living spaces, contributing to a healthy environment.
- Reviewed elderly residents' ability to take care of themselves and planned appropriate support.
Family support worker
Wigan Council
Wigan, Greater Manchester
2004.10 - 2015.06
- Coordinated community resources for comprehensive family support.
- Assisted families in navigating the welfare system; secured appropriate benefits.
- Advocated on behalf of clients, resolving issues promptly.
- Provided emotional support for improved family dynamics.
- Established trust with clients to enhance communication.
- Facilitated group sessions to improve parenting skills.
- Assessed needs of families for better service provision.
- Improved children's behaviour by implementing structure and routine.
- Liaised closely with social services to safeguard at-risk children.
- Promoted healthy relationships amongst family members through mediation.
- Supported and advised parents regarding various issues and signposted additional services.
- Engaged with children and families using creative strategies and a professional approach.
- Maintained accurate chronological records of work with families using software.
- Managed complex caseload of vulnerable families through strategic prioritisation.
- Developed integral relations with families and external agencies for holistic service delivery.
- Coordinated structured and intensive support through interventions.
- Evaluated needs through common assessment framework, prescribed screening tools and models of engagement.
- Assessed client circumstances to determine specific needs. to develop targeted support programmes.
- Developed tailored action plans whilst prioritising pressing concerns.
- Listened to clients' current struggles to signpost relevant support.
- Assisted service users to obtain and access community resources.
- Offered practical daily living advice, including financial planning, housing support and legal guidance.
- Liaised with external and internal professionals to provide holistic support.
- Monitored client progress and adapted support programmes to meet changing needs.
- Helped service users to gain ability to function independently in society.
- Reported child abuse in accordance with legal standards of mandatory reporters.
- Remained calm and poised in difficult, stressful or escalating situations, helping to comfort individuals.
- Worked closely with schools; improved child attendance rates.
- Dealt with crisis situations calmly, ensuring safety of all involved parties.
- Streamlined referral process to speed up access to necessary services.
- Conducted home visits, ensuring a safe environment for children.
- Mentored parents in managing challenging behaviours; fostered positive changes.
- Promoted community integration by providing extensive physical, emotional and social support.
- Empowered individuals to lead normal, healthy lives by delivering professional and emotional care.
- Provided written and electronic reports of conducted work adhering to policies and procedures.
- Worked in multidisciplinary teams to prevent issues escalating and reducing the need for statutory intervention.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams for effective care planning.
- Maintained detailed case notes, aiding in decision making processes.
- Identified and communicated extra support options available to clients. to maximise clients' growth opportunities.
- Accompanied families to appointments with counsellors for support, legal aid workers and doctor appointments.
- Assessed clients and documented information for records and analysis.
- Monitored client progress and adapted support programmes to meet changing needs.
- Helped service users to gain ability to function independently in society.
- Identified and communicated extra support options available to clients. to maximise clients' growth opportunities.
Education
BSC in Social Work - Social work
University of Salford
Salford 2019.10 - 2022.05
NVQ Level 3 - Health and Social care
Wigan council
Wigan 2017.06 - 2018.07
NVQ Level 3 - Child care and Education
Wigan Council
Wigan 2004.03 - 2005.03
Advanced Diploma in sports therapy - Sports therapy
Wigan and Leigh College
Wigan 2002.09 - 2003.06
BTEC DIPLOMA IN SPORTS SCIENCE - Sports Science
Wigan and Leigh College
Wigan 2000.09 - 2002.06
Skills
- Child protection expertise
- Child protection knowledge
- Child welfare and protective services
- Crisis Intervention
- Case management expertise
- Complex case management
- Care plan development
- Legislation compliance
- Legislation compliance familiarity
- Documentation accuracy
- Report-writing
- Safeguarding knowledge
- Understanding of disability rights
- Profound disability rights understanding
- Holistic approach application
- Trauma-informed care
- Intervention planning
- Mental health understanding
- Substance abuse treatment knowledge
- Community resource knowledge
- Community resource navigation
- Community Outreach
- Family systems theory proficiency
- Family systems theory expertise
- Family support advocacy
- Social policy advocacy
- Vulnerable populations advocacy
- Experience with home visits
- Behavioural observation and analysis
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Multidisciplinary teamwork
- Team player
- Administrative coordination
- Social services software mastery
- Knowledge of human behaviour
- Patient assessment
- End-of-life support
- Geriatric support
- Domestic violence response
- Domestic violence protocol familiarity
- De-escalation techniques
- Resilience and stress management
- Crisis Intervention
- Task-centred practice
- Active listening
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Interpersonal sensitivity
- Professional empathy
- Empathetic
- Inclusive practice
- Solution-focused therapy
- Structural family therapy
- LAC reviews
- Safeguarding knowledge
- Active listening
- Confidential record-keeping
- Strengths-based practice
- Problem-solving model
- Adoption court processes
- Solution-focused therapy
- Structural family therapy
- Report-writing
- Community referrals
- Empathetic
- Mental health support
- Inclusive practice
- LAC reviews
Affiliations
- Gym, Swimming, Walking, Beauty socialising
Timeline
Senior social worker
Wigan Council
2026.03 - Current
Social worker
Salford City Council
2022.05 - 2026.03
BSC in Social Work - Social work
University of Salford
2019.10 - 2022.05
NVQ Level 3 - Health and Social care
Wigan council
2017.06 - 2018.07
Social Care Officer
Wigan Council
2015.06 - 2022.03
Family support worker
Wigan Council
2004.10 - 2015.06
NVQ Level 3 - Child care and Education
Wigan Council
2004.03 - 2005.03
Advanced Diploma in sports therapy - Sports therapy
Wigan and Leigh College
2002.09 - 2003.06
BTEC DIPLOMA IN SPORTS SCIENCE - Sports Science
Wigan and Leigh College
2000.09 - 2002.06