Kim Dennison
Anlaby
Summary
I am an experienced social worker, registered with Social Work England. I currently work in a local authority fostering team. I have been employed within fostering services and the training of foster parents for over 18 years. I am passionate about fostering and providing permanency for children to enable them to have a sense of safety, security, continuity, identity and belonging.
I am conscientious, loyal, hardworking, enthusiastic, and motivated, I pride myself with a high standard of work. I am personable, approachable and demonstrate respect, empathy and kindness in my work and build effective relationships which are key to successful outcomes. I respect diversity and inclusivity, and difference when understanding individuals, cultures and communities. I am experienced in working to deadlines and in pressured situations,
I am a compassionate and respectful person with strong communication skills and a proven ability to build relationships when working with adults and children. I communicate effectively in written, presentation and electronic formats and have good report writing and I.T skills. I am a supportive team member as well as being self-motivated and working independently. I am in excellent health; I have a clean driving license and my own car. I have a current DBS with East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
10052
10052
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Fostering Social Worker
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
2023.11 - 2024.11
- Fostering social worker in the recruitment and assessment team.
- Responsible for monitoring and responding to initial fostering enquiries.
- Undertake initial assessments and viability assessments, working within tight timescales and court deadlines.
- Complete fostering assessments both Form F and Form C
- Build up positive relationships with applicants and families I am working with and use professional curiosity, active listening, and empathy to build up trust
- Established trustful relationships with foster parents to facilitate open communication.
- Organise, plan and complete assessments and reports to meet deadlines and court timescales
- Support and advocate for temporary approved carers
- Support marketing and recruitment events in promoting fostering
- Developed and regularly deliver the Skills to Foster Training
- Attend panel to present assessments and reports
- Use supervision to reflect, analyse and discuss any changes or alternative approaches
- Established trustful relationships with clients to facilitate open communication.
Social Worker (Community Mental Health Team)
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
2023.02 - 2023.11
- Worked with complex cases, where I planned and provided effective range of assessment and interventions for adults, their families, and carers, who were impacted by mental health difficulties and issues
- Completed care and support assessments, reviews, mental capacity assessments and risk assessments
- Completed daily case notes and ensured accurate recording on to both local authority and NHS electronic recording systems
- Worked collaboratively with social care and health colleagues and external agencies, such as housing, department of work and pensions, GP’s, and employers
- Regularly set up and arranged multi-agency meetings
- Undertook duty on a rota basis, responding calmly to manage crisis and emergency situations.
- Supervised and supported care officers.
Social Worker (Children Looked After Team)
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
2022.07 - 2023.02
- Experience and knowledge of statutory requirements for Children Looked After
- Undertaking of statutory visits / completion of Personal Education Plans / Care Plans / assessments of need/3-month summaries
- Direct work with children using strength-based approach
- Monitoring of children’s welfare
- Working with families to promote family time
- Worked closely with foster parents, schools, health, and other professionals
- Acted as an advocate for the well-being and development of children and ensured children’s voices were heard
- Arranged and attended multi-disciplinary meetings and reviews
- Worked within tight timescales and court deadlines
- Completed Special guardianship reports
Social Work Apprenticeship (Fostering Team)
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
2019.09 - 2022.07
- Maintaining regular supervision and support of foster carers
- Completed foster carer annual review reports, home safety checks, pet assessments, safer caring plans
- Completed unannounced visits
- Represented, advocated for and supported foster carers in a range of meetings
- Completed referrals to emotional well-being team in arranging specific support/therapy for foster parents and children
- Supported foster parents with Training and Development Standards
- Completed development plans
- Form F assessments
- Special guardianship reports
- Contributed to matching process of children with foster parents, taking into account culture, gender, ethnicity and disability
Fostering Development Officer (Fostering Team)
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
2005.01 - 2019.09
- Planning and organising, implementing, and monitoring of all foster carer training and development activities
- Assessor and internal verifier and involved in delivery of QCF Level 3 Diploma for the Children’s and Young People’s workforce (QCF) to foster parents and residential staff
- Developed and established a training programme to link with the Department of Education training and development standards for foster carers
- Regularly liaised with other training organisation’s e.g., fostering Network, Coram BAAF and Department of Education
- Implemented and facilitated support workshops for the Training standards workbook
- Contributed directly to the OFSTED fostering inspections regarding all training matters
- Foster Panel member of 12 years, involved in the assessment, approval and reviewing of all local authority foster carers
Assessor / Internal Verifier in Early Years Care and Education
East Riding College
1998.01 - 2005.01
- Responsible for co-coordinating NVQ programme
- Supported, assessed and advised work-based assessors undertaking their assessor award
- Carried out internal verification and standardisation meetings
- Managed external verifier visits and quality assurance activities
- Provided constructive feedback after assessments, fostering an environment of continuous learning amongst candidates.
- Advocated for high standards in assessments, promoting fairness and equality within the organisation.
Nursery Nurse and Nursery Manager
Southgate Nursery and Kids Club
Hessle, East Riding of Yorkshire
1987.08 - 1998.01
- Responsible for day to day running of nursery and out of school club, catering for up to 50 children and employing 15 staff
- Responsible for recruitment, selection, supervision, training, and development of all staff.
- Delivered high-quality childcare by maintaining a safe, clean and nurturing environment.
- Developed trusting relationships with children, parents and staff.
- Provided detailed daily reports to parents regarding their child's day, ensuring transparency and trust.
- Maintained comprehensive records of each child's progress; noted developments at regular intervals.
- Attended safeguarding and multi-agency meetings
- Maintaining and monitoring of all data and administration procedures
Education
Degree - Social work
University of Lincoln
2019.09 - 2022.07
Level 3 Diploma - Therapeutic Parenting
Inspire Training
Parent Group Leader Training Award - Talking Teens
The Centre of Emotional Health
Parent Group Leader Training Award - Family Links
The Centre For Emotional Health
Certificate - Social Care
University of Lincoln
2009.09 - 2011.06
D34 Internal Verifiers Award -
East Riding College
D32/D33 Assessor Award -
Prospect Training
City and Guilds 331 - Family and Community Care
Hull College of Further Education
1985.09 - 1987.06
References
Available on request
Timeline
Fostering Social Worker
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
2023.11 - 2024.11
Social Worker (Community Mental Health Team)
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
2023.02 - 2023.11
Social Worker (Children Looked After Team)
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
2022.07 - 2023.02
Social Work Apprenticeship (Fostering Team)
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
2019.09 - 2022.07
Degree - Social work
University of Lincoln
2019.09 - 2022.07
Certificate - Social Care
University of Lincoln
2009.09 - 2011.06
Fostering Development Officer (Fostering Team)
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
2005.01 - 2019.09
Assessor / Internal Verifier in Early Years Care and Education
East Riding College
1998.01 - 2005.01
Nursery Nurse and Nursery Manager
Southgate Nursery and Kids Club
1987.08 - 1998.01
City and Guilds 331 - Family and Community Care
Hull College of Further Education
1985.09 - 1987.06
Level 3 Diploma - Therapeutic Parenting
Inspire Training
Parent Group Leader Training Award - Talking Teens
The Centre of Emotional Health
Parent Group Leader Training Award - Family Links
The Centre For Emotional Health
D34 Internal Verifiers Award -
East Riding College
D32/D33 Assessor Award -
Prospect Training