Laura Avis
Tonbridge,Kent
Summary
Empathetic Assistant Social Worker with talent for building trusting relationships and managing complex case loads. Skilled in crisis intervention and developing personalised care plans, contributing to improved client outcomes. Proven ability to work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams to support vulnerable individuals and families. Offering strong interpersonal and communication skills to engage effectively with diverse communities. Knowledgeable about basic social work principles and compassionate in approach. Ready to use and develop empathy, active listening, and problem-solving skills.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
8002
8002
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Assistant social worker
Kent County Council
Tonbridge, Kent
10.2016 - Current
- Enhanced client trust by maintaining confidentiality and respect in all interactions.
- Working with Disabled Young people aged 16-25 to support their transtition into adult services
- Established supportive relationships with clients through empathetic communication.
- Devised effective care plans for improved wellbeing of service users.
- Assisted senior social workers in complex case management, facilitating timely resolution.
- Supported families, reducing instances of crisis situations.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive client care.
- Improved client life quality with regular home visits and assessments.
- Coordinated with community resources, enhancing support for individuals and families.
- Implemented interventions under supervision, preventing escalation of issues.
- Maintained an up-to-date knowledge of policies and procedures for effective service provision.
- Responded calmly to manage crises and emergency situations.
- Safeguarded client information with strict adherence to privacy and data security policies.
- Advocated on behalf of service users to protect their best interests.
- Established and maintained professional relationships to offer objective guidance and support.
- Worked with community organisations to create access to resources and assistance to meet client varying needs.
Community assistant
Habinteg Housing Association
Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
06.2012 - 09.2016
- Enhanced community involvement by conducting awareness campaigns.
- Promoted healthy lifestyles for improved overall health of the community.
- Supported a housing unit to improve tenants' independence, and help them sustain their tenancies after having a traumatic brain injury.
- Supported adults in regaining some independence, as the nature of their injuries has caused brain damage. This can present very challenging behaviour, with aggressive outbursts, learning difficulties, frustration, and a lack of understanding about appropriate behaviour and language.
- Complete a needs and risk assessment, along with a support plan, that are reviewed regularly. Each support plan is different and bespoke according to the tenants' needs, but some of the things I do are budget plans, benefits claims, social services referrals, occupational therapist referrals, setting up utility accounts, and value for money on services, daily routines (housework, personal care). With some tenants, we look at returning to work and voluntary work opportunities, arrangement of carers, or day services.
Youth Centre Manager
Bromley Youth Service
Orpington, Bromley
08.1998 - 03.2011
- Improved community relations by implementing youth outreach programmes.
- Managing an advice and information youth centre with six members of staff, based in one of the highest levels of deprivation within the Borough of Bromley, with some very challenging young people, a high level of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET), low-income families, and a high percentage coming from the Gypsy/Traveller community.
- Within this role I had to complete an annual needs analysis of the local area to identify the local needs to enable me to implement any projects, resources, or partnerships that move towards meeting these needs. Within the centre we used a number of methods to assess the young person's individual needs including what was the common assessment framework (CAF), observations, and discussions with the young person, parents and other professionals if appropriate.
- Developed positive relationships with local schools to enhance student participation in centre activities.
- Ensured safe and inclusive environment for all attendees, fostering a sense of belonging.
- Coordinated staff schedules, ensuring optimal service delivery during peak hours.
- Collaborated with local authorities for the development of youth empowerment initiatives.
- Implemented new activity programmes, enhancing the appeal of the centre to a wider demographic.
- Promoted healthy lifestyle choices amongst youth through engaging workshops and seminars.
- Facilitated regular staff meetings for improved communication across different teams within the organisation.
- Managed budget allocation for various departments within the centre ensuring efficient use of funds.
- Established working relationships with other service providers, boards and funding bodies to discuss solutions to tackle industry problems.
Education
HNC Youth and Community Studies - Social Care
Greenwich University
LondonYouth and Community Work -
City and Guilds of London Institute
BromleyGNVQ - Health and Social Care
Charles Darwin School
WesterhamGCSEs - English
Charles Darwin School
BromleySkills
- Care planning
- Case management
- Child protection knowledge
- Behavioural support strategies
- Disability awareness training
- Multi-Agency working knowledge
- Safeguarding vulnerable groups
- Advocacy and empowerment
- Adaptability in stressful situations
- Active listening competence
- Strong interpersonal communication
- Clear written communication
- Record keeping accuracy
- Mental capacity act understanding
- Professional boundaries maintenance
- Trauma informed approach
- Person-Centred practice
Affiliations
- I enjoy going out for long walks with my Dog and spending quality time with my young family
Timeline
Assistant social worker
Kent County Council
10.2016 - Current
Community assistant
Habinteg Housing Association
06.2012 - 09.2016
Youth Centre Manager
Bromley Youth Service
08.1998 - 03.2011
HNC Youth and Community Studies - Social Care
Greenwich University
Youth and Community Work -
City and Guilds of London Institute
GNVQ - Health and Social Care
Charles Darwin School
GCSEs - English
Charles Darwin School
Similar Profiles
Ben MooreBen Moore
Occupational therapy assistant at Kent County CouncilOccupational therapy assistant at Kent County Council
Matthew GroganMatthew Grogan
Part Time Administrator at Kent County CouncilPart Time Administrator at Kent County Council
Lissa ThomasonLissa Thomason
Foster carer at Kent County CouncilFoster carer at Kent County Council