Lavinia Durber
Lincolnshire
Summary
I am a caring, approachable, and motivated Health and Social Care graduate with experience supporting children and young people with SEND, SEMH, and complex needs across residential care, education, and community settings. I enjoy building positive relationships, helping individuals achieve their goals, and creating safe, supportive environments where they can thrive. With experience leading teams, mentoring colleagues, and working closely with families and professionals, I am committed to making a positive difference while continuing to learn and develop in my career.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Level 2 Residential Care Officer
Lincolnshire County Council
04.2026 - 07.2026
- Mentor new staff, provide supervision and shift leadership
- Develop and deliver ‘direct work' with children, supporting emotional regulation, life skills, and positive outcomes.
- Lead designated practice areas supporting professional development.
- Manage household routines/tasks
- Make informed decisions, take responsibility, lead handovers and debriefs
- In the absence of senior staff, assume full responsibility for the home, overseeing safety, staffing, and the well-being of children.
- Take on keyworking responsibilities, maintaining up-to-date working files
- Liaise with birth families, foster carers, social workers, schools, and other professionals
- Effectively plan shifts, adapting to changing needs and arising situations
- Work directly with children in residential care, providing personalised support and therapeutic approaches
Freelance PA
Honeycomb Companion
10.2025 - 04.2026
- Offer personalised services for individuals to complete tasks to make their day easier.
- Organisation & research used to start up my own business and manage my own workload.
Lead Residential Care Officer
Inspire Communities Trust
10.2023 - 10.2025
- Worked with 7–19 year olds with SEND and SEMH within an intervention service & short breaks service.
- Supported young people in achieving personal goals and developing life skills to promote independence and autonomy.
- Administered medication.
- Provided leadership and supervision to staff, ensuring high standards of care and staff training.
- Worked collaboratively with the manager and senior leadership team to maintain an effective service.
Care Assistant
Yarborough House
10.2021 - 05.2023
- Supported daily tasks in a fast-paced care home for residents with dementia, physical and learning disabilities, mental health needs, and addiction.
- Assisted with meal preparation, feeding, and personal care whilst maintaining dignity and well-being.
- Followed individual care plans and clinical assessments, including swallow assessments, completing accurate documentation
Special Needs Researcher
Grace Consulting
04.2021 - 11.2021
- Conducted detailed research regarding special needs and mental health conditions.
- Providing clients with information, strategies, and resources.
- Organised findings clearly and accurately, ensuring documentation was comprehensive and accessible.
Teaching Assistant
Greenwood Academy
09.2019 - 09.2020
- Supported children 1:1 and in small groups.
- Delivered person-centred learning approaches based on EHCPs.
- Attended SALT sessions and implemented activities.
- Planned and delivered interventions in phonics, academic catch-up, and pastoral support.
- Worked collaboratively with SENDCO, pastoral team, and teachers.
- Communicated effectively with parents, carers, and professionals.
- Applied safeguarding policies and procedures.
Teaching Assistant (Special School)
DRET
09.2017 - 09.2019
- Applied behaviour management strategies.
- Supported classes across ages 2–19.
- Utilised PECs, Makaton, and Proloquo2Go.
- Planned and led lunchtime clubs for PMLD students.
- Assisted in training and supporting student teachers.
- Contributed to the development of new IEPs.
Support Worker
County Care
08.2018 - 01.2019
- Supported individuals aged 13–65 in day centres and the community.
- Assisted with social activities, community access, and daily living tasks.
- Empowered service users to build independence, confidence, and life skills.
Education
Bachelor of Science (Hons) - Health and Social Care
University of Hull
01.2022 - 01.2023
Foundation Degree - Professional Healthcare
University Centre Grimsby
01.2020 - 01.2022
Level 2 - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Grimsby Institute
NVQ Level 3 - Specialist Teaching and Learning
First College
Level 2 Functional Skills - Maths and ICT
First College
NVQ Level 2 - Teaching and Learning
First College
Diploma Double Award - Health and Social Care
Grimsby Institute
GCSEs - English Language, English Literature, Core Science
BTEC - Business Studies
TRAINING
Level 4 Makaton Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Trauma Youth Mental Health First NAPPI PBS Buccal Midazolam PEG Gastronomy Effective & Meaningful 1:1’s Safe Administration of Medication Manual Handling First Aid Use of EpiPen Safeguarding PICA Clinical Skills (stoma, aseptic technique, vital signs, injections, insulin) Childhood Trauma Coaching
E-LEARNING
Neurodiversity, Domestic Abuse, Autism Awareness, COSHH, Adolescent Safeguarding, ACEs, Equality Diversity&Inclusion, Missing Children in Lincolnshire, L2 Food Hygiene, Child Protection, Online Safety, Prevent Duty, Anxiety, Asthma, Diabetes, OCD, Self-Harm Awareness, Zero Suicide Alliance, Stress Management, Fire Safety, Manual Handling, Health & Safety, Trauma-Informed Practice in Schools, Inter-Agency Safeguarding, Fire Safety, Information Assurance.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Level 2 Residential Care Officer
Lincolnshire County Council
04.2026 - 07.2026
Freelance PA
Honeycomb Companion
10.2025 - 04.2026
Lead Residential Care Officer
Inspire Communities Trust
10.2023 - 10.2025
Bachelor of Science (Hons) - Health and Social Care
University of Hull
01.2022 - 01.2023
Care Assistant
Yarborough House
10.2021 - 05.2023
Special Needs Researcher
Grace Consulting
04.2021 - 11.2021
Foundation Degree - Professional Healthcare
University Centre Grimsby
01.2020 - 01.2022
Teaching Assistant
Greenwood Academy
09.2019 - 09.2020
Support Worker
County Care
08.2018 - 01.2019
Teaching Assistant (Special School)
DRET
09.2017 - 09.2019
Level 2 - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Grimsby Institute
NVQ Level 3 - Specialist Teaching and Learning
First College
Level 2 Functional Skills - Maths and ICT
First College
Diploma Double Award - Health and Social Care
Grimsby Institute
GCSEs - English Language, English Literature, Core Science
BTEC - Business Studies
NVQ Level 2 - Teaching and Learning
First College