Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Certification
References
Timeline
Generic
Leah Picariello

Leah Picariello

Salford

Summary

Compassionate, understanding and approachable with three+ years of experience with SHOUT voluntary crisis organisation. I am enthusiastic about helping both people and animals. Skilled in supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds in challenging situations. Trained in handling self-harm, effectively addressing suicidal thoughts, and maintaining composure under pressure. I've experienced supporting others who have been through trauma, such as friends, family and SHOUT. I have first hand knowledge and experience with the struggles and the stigmas attached to trauma and the effects that follow, which has aided in learning how to approach different situations, and how the approach differentiates dependant on the individual.

Overview

1
1
Certification
8
8
years of professional experience

Work History

Crisis Staff

SHOUT Crisis Text Line
10.2022 - 05.2025
  • Extensive online training with examinations and regular top up training, plus three years experience on the platform.
  • Gaining experience with individuals of all ages (mostly teens and children) with ADHD, Autism, AuDHD, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and much more. It gave me a great insight on methods to aid neurodivergent texters and those struggling with their mental health.
  • Creating a non-judgemental, safe and open environment.
  • Experience using a complex online platform.
  • Regularly checking in with staff for advice, support and to report the need for emergency services.
  • Communicating with other volunteers after hard conversations to help each other decompress.
  • Regularly offered to have high pressure, very difficult and risky conversations transferred to me as I stay very calm and easily come up with solutions.
  • I worked both day and night shifts - primarily focusing on night shifts as the number of texters increased dramatically which caused staff shortness in the early hours. The night shift tended to be a lot more conversations on suicide in particular, I am confident dealing with high pressure situations, creating safety plans and de-escalating, so I was a good fit for the night shifts.
  • Following safeguarding and duty of care guidelines.
  • Supporting parents struggling with neurodivergent and/or children struggling with their mental health.
  • Promptly flagging alarming conversations to ensure the emergency services are dispatched as soon as possible.
  • Providing safety and emergency advice for self-harm.
  • Sharing grounding techniques and coping mechanisms.
  • De-escalation and safety plans.
  • Monitored and assessed risks to devise mitigation strategies swiftly.
  • Facilitated communication between teams during high-pressure situations.

Animal and Service User Care

PossAbilities/Cherwell Wellbeing Hub
Heywood
01.2017 - 01.2018
  • Working with teens and adults with a range of learning and physical disabilities alongside behavioural issues.
  • Caring for a range of animals and improving their environment and quality of life.
  • Getting service users involved with animal care to improve confidence and create routine.
  • Ensuring safety of both service users and animals at all times ensuring to meet duty of care and following safeguarding protocols.
  • Being friendly and approachable which helped to develop and maintain relationships, grow respect and allowed the service user to feel safe with me.
  • Reporting issues to manager when needed, especially issues regarding safeguarding.
  • Provided daily care and feeding of animals in a safe environment.
  • Monitored animal health and behaviour, reporting any changes promptly.
  • Coordinated activities to ensure optimal welfare for service users and animals.

Education

Level 2 - Counselling Skills

The Learning Curve Group

Level 3 - Counselling Skills

The Learning Curve Group

GCSEs -

Hollingworth Business & Enterprise College

HNC - Animal Management

Hopwood Hall College

HND - Animal Management

Hopwood Hall College

A/S Level - Critical Thinking

Hollingworth Business & Enterprise College

Level 3 - Art & Design

The Oldham College

Certification

  • HM Government Prevent Aware Course Certificate
  • A Guide to Professional Boundaries Certificate
  • Introductory Safeguarding in Education
  • Best Practice in Safeguarding Children, Young People & Adults

References

  • Damian Kenny, Manager, PossAbilities/Cherwell Wellbeing Hub, Cherwell Ave, Damian.kenny@possabilities.org.uk
  • MacDermott, Support Service Co-ordinator, SHOUT, Coaching5plus@giveusashout.org

Timeline

Crisis Staff

SHOUT Crisis Text Line
10.2022 - 05.2025

Animal and Service User Care

PossAbilities/Cherwell Wellbeing Hub
01.2017 - 01.2018

Level 2 - Counselling Skills

The Learning Curve Group

Level 3 - Counselling Skills

The Learning Curve Group

GCSEs -

Hollingworth Business & Enterprise College

HNC - Animal Management

Hopwood Hall College

HND - Animal Management

Hopwood Hall College

A/S Level - Critical Thinking

Hollingworth Business & Enterprise College

Level 3 - Art & Design

The Oldham College

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Leah Picariello