Kieran Fretwell

During my assignment of area security officer, I was tasked with the day-to-day running of Job Centres in the Rotherham and Sheffield regions, my role included and was not limited to:

• Signing in visitors
• Guiding of customers to the correct areas
• Observing customers' behaviour and intervening, if necessary
• Responding to panic alarms
• Ensuring customers with ‘control measures’ are escorted to a screened interview room where I would then station myself outside the room in case of emergency.
• Preventing access to people who shouldn't enter or have been removed prior to entry.
• Attending First Aid incidents until DWP staff takeover.
• Using electronic equipment such as 2-way radios and Body Worn Cameras to protect myself, the DWP staff and my colleagues.

Due to the nature of business at the DWP, situations can escalate quickly An empathetic approach is needed, due to the discussions taking place being of a sensitive topic.

My duties involved the protection of high value premises across South Yorkshire day and night whilst lone working, through;

• A manned presence
• Patrolling
• Alarm priming and disarming
• CCTV monitoring
• Key holding
• Access and egress control
• Hourly signing of logbooks.
• This ensures that the sites are fully safe and secure in accordance with the client's assignment instructions.
• My most notable deployment included working in a team of 9 at a COVID 19 vaccination centre some of my many duties were;
• Guiding up to 2000 customers every day
• Checking customers' documents ensuring they are eligible for a vaccine.
• Effective communication with the team over 2-way radios to ensure the centre runs efficiently
• The signing in and out of NHS staff and volunteers

On one occasion, in the absence of a supervisor at a vaccination centre, I stepped up to coordinate the shift. Having worked at the site for an extended period, gained experience across all nine positions, and shadowed existing supervisors, I was well placed to support the team and ensure operations ran smoothly. My performance was later praised by the supervisor, who commended me for successfully managing the shift.

Prepared and baked food products in accordance with food safety and hygiene regulations, ensuring high standards of quality and presentation. Served customers in a fast-paced retail environment, processing transactions accurately using electronic tills and card payment systems. Maintained stock levels, followed procedures to prevent cross-contamination, and contributed to the cleanliness and organisation of the store through regular cleaning duties.

Accurately entered confidential data into computer systems while maintaining data protection and confidentiality standards.

• GDPR compliance and data confidentiality.
• Accurate data entry and administrative skills.
• Time management and target-driven working.
• Ability to learn new software and systems quickly.