Katie Wallis
Portsmouth,Hampshire
Summary
Compassionate and dedicate youth support professional with experience working alongside children, young people and families facing a range of social, emotional and behavioural challenges. Skilled in building positive relationships, providing practical and emotional support, and helping individuals overcome barriers to achieve their goals. Strong understanding of safeguarding, mentoring, advocacy and multi-agency working. A resilient and empathetic communicator, bringing patience, understanding and a person centred approach to supporting young people towards greater independence, confidence and positive outcomes.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Attendance Mentor
Ark Charter Academy
Portsmouth
2024.01 - 2026.06
- Provided consistent support to students and families to improve school attendance, using a proactive and solution-focused approach to overcome barriers.
- Built and maintained positive relationships with parents, carers, and external stakeholders, acting as a reliable and approachable point of contact.
- Managed sensitive conversations with professionalism and empathy, ensuring individuals felt listened to while working towards clear outcomes.
- Used strong communication and interpersonal skills to influence engagement and encourage positive change.
- Produced detailed daily reports, maintaining accurate and up-to-date records to track progress and inform next steps.
- Completed end point assessments and gathered stakeholder feedback, using this information to evaluate effectiveness and improve support strategies.
- Balanced a high workload and competing priorities, demonstrating organisation, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure.
- Used Microsoft Office and data systems confidently to monitor attendance, analyse trends, and support decision-making.
- Delivered a high standard of service by responding promptly to queries and maintaining clear, professional communication at all times.
- Improved emotional resilience in mentees through mindfulness training exercises.
- Collaborated with parents or guardians to ensure consistent support structures at home and school.
- Motivated proactive behaviour with ongoing encouragement and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Fostered personal growth in mentees with regular one-on-one coaching sessions.
SEN behaviour support
Redwood Park Academy
Portsmouth
2020.09 - 2024.01
- Delivered consistent, person-centred support to young people with a range of SEN and SEMH needs, building trust and positive relationships through clear communication and empathy.
- Acted as a key point of contact for parents and carers, handling sensitive conversations with professionalism, patience, and a solution-focused approach.
- Used strong problem-solving skills to de-escalate challenging situations quickly and effectively, ensuring a calm and safe environment.
- Managed attendance concerns by proactively engaging with families, identifying barriers, and implementing tailored strategies to improve outcomes.
- Maintained accurate records and used data systems (including Microsoft Office) to monitor progress and inform decision-making.
- Worked collaboratively with staff and external professionals, demonstrating teamwork, adaptability, and a commitment to high-quality service.
- Balanced multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, showing resilience, organisation, and attention to detail.
Pupil and family support worker
the Harbour school
2018.01 - 2020.08
- Supported pupils in a fast-paced alternative education setting, responding to a wide range of needs with flexibility, professionalism, and a calm approach.
- Took initiative in managing day-to-day challenges, making quick decisions to support positive outcomes and keep situations on track.
- Developed strong communication skills by working with pupils who may struggle to express themselves, ensuring they felt understood and supported.
- Handled high-pressure situations confidently, using initiative and emotional awareness to reduce conflict and maintain a positive environment.
- Worked closely within a team to deliver consistent support, demonstrating reliability and a strong work ethic.
- Adapted communication styles depending on the individual, a key skill in providing an inclusive and responsive service.
- Completed administrative tasks and recorded key information accurately, showing organisation and attention to detail.
Education
NVQ - Leisure and Tourism
South Downs College
2001.09 - 2004.06
Supporting Teaching and Learning
Lewisham College
2010.01 - 2013.01
GCSE'S - Religious education
Purbrook Park school
1998.09 - 2001.06
GCSE - Maths, English
Dhekelia Education Centre
2016.01 - 2017.01
Skills
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving
- Calm under pressure
- Building relationships
- Learning support session planning
Certification
Thrive practitioner
Safeguarding
Personal information
- Driver's License: Cars
- Eligible to work in the UK: Yes
- Highest level of education: GCSE or equivalent
- Industry: Education support staff
Timeline
Attendance Mentor
Ark Charter Academy
2024.01 - 2026.06
SEN behaviour support
Redwood Park Academy
2020.09 - 2024.01
Pupil and family support worker
the Harbour school
2018.01 - 2020.08
GCSE - Maths, English
Dhekelia Education Centre
2016.01 - 2017.01
Supporting Teaching and Learning
Lewisham College
2010.01 - 2013.01
NVQ - Leisure and Tourism
South Downs College
2001.09 - 2004.06
GCSE'S - Religious education
Purbrook Park school
1998.09 - 2001.06