Linda Mills
Shrewsbury,UK
Summary
Dedicated professional with extensive experience in social care education and administration. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and skilled in call center operations, customer service, and behavioral management. Experienced in supporting children transitioning out of care, with a strong understanding of safeguarding procedures and attachment disorders. Committed to advancing child advocacy initiatives and enhancing educational support systems for special needs students.
Takes on challenging new role harnessing interpersonal skills, collaboration and problem-solving. Driven to deliver high-quality service and consistent results.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
18
18
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Tutor
Physis Quantum care-Whitchurch
Whitchurch, Shropshire
2022.09 - Current
- I started off as a HLTA combining my skills learnt in the social care with my skills obtained as a Teaching assistant in different settings throughout my career. Then promoted to Tutor.
- Assisted young people in preparing for and achieving G.C.S.E. qualifications in PSHE by providing tailored support and resources.
- Delivered PSHE subject focusing on key values, relationships, self-esteem, and learning tools to support growth into adulthood; implemented QLP programme for 6 months while assisting with administration duties.
- Guided students in mastering BTEC level 2 home cooking skills through practical lessons and constructive feedback, enhancing their culinary competencies.
- Adapted teaching style for individual learning capabilities.
- Assisted students in essay writing and report structuring skills, improving overall grades.
- Ensured students grasped subject matter fully through continuous assessment techniques.
- Collaborated with parents and teachers, aligning tutoring approaches with school curriculum.
- Developed study schedules to improve time management and optimise exam preparation for students.
- Enhanced student comprehension by utilising interactive teaching methods.
- Assessed student progress regularly, implementing tailored strategies for improvement.
- Provided detailed feedback with constructive suggestions to improve academic performance.
- Fostered a positive learning environment to enhance student focus.
- Maintained records of each student's progress, identifying areas needing further improvement.
- Relocated from the care team for Physis to work in our school, having the opportunity to continue working with our amazing young people. In addition to working with a company I have learnt so much from and grown with.
Foster carer
Liverpool local authority
Liverpool , Lancashire
2022.03 - 2025.12
- Maintained a safe and nurturing living environment, promoting a sense of security.
- Provided emotional support to children in foster care, resulting in improved mental well-being.
- Fostered resilience in children through regular counselling sessions, boosting emotional strength.
- Advocated for social, emotional and educational stability of children with complex emotional and behavioural needs.
- Delivered consistent care whilst managing challenging behaviour to ensure stability within the household.
- Encouraged positive behaviours through structured routine and clear boundaries, fostering personal growth.
- Facilitated open lines of communication with social workers, leading to more effective care plans.
- Worked closely with other professionals involved in child's welfare; improving collaborative efforts towards child’s well-being.
- Liaised with external and internal professionals to provide holistic support.
- Tracked and recorded child's progress for review by social services team, contributing to overall care strategy.
- Collaborated with supervising social worker and reviewing officers for optimal care.
- Coordinated with school staff regarding child's progress, enhancing academic performance.
- Assisted children with homework assignments; supporting their academic endeavours.
- Organised weekly educational activities for enhanced learning and development.
- Arranged social activities to boost confidence levels and encourage interaction with peers.
- Navigated complex emotional situations with empathy and patience, aiding in conflict resolution.
- Established clear boundaries and implemented effective discipline strategies to promote positive behaviour.
- Facilitated further skill development by providing effective mentoring in life skills.
- Logged significant events throughout placement and contributed to reviews, case conferences and court hearings.
- Adhered strictly to safeguarding protocols; ensuring safety at all times.
- Liaised with external and internal professionals to provide holistic support.
Senior Therapeutic children's support worker
Physis Quantum-Whitchurch
Whitchurch, Shropshire
2018.01 - 2022.08
- worked with age 11 to 18 years old. CSC setting. in a highly therapeutic provision. following lots of therapeutic training.
- Provided emotional support to distressed children, offering comfort and stability during challenging situations.
- Facilitated active participation in group activities, enhancing teamwork and social skills among children.
- Improved self-confidence in children by consistently providing positive reinforcement and encouragement.
- Established trust with children by maintaining open and honest communication channels.
- Delivered exceptional care for children, ensuring their physical and emotional well-being at all times.
- Provided medical assistance to children, ensuring their health and wellness at all times.
- Assured the safety of the kids during outdoor activities to prevent any injuries or accidents.
- Promoted hygiene among kids with regular hand-washing sessions and cleanliness drives at the facility.
- Supervised meal times efficiently, ensuring balanced diet intake among all kids under care.
- Collaborated effectively with colleagues for smooth operations within the childcare setting.
- Attended professional development courses periodically to remain updated on the the latest childcare trends.
- Used excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage and interact with individuals in need.
- Delivered high-quality reports on time, underlining commitment to meeting organisational goals.
- Quickly learned and applied new skills to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Maintained strict confidentiality whilst handling sensitive information for report compilation.
- Empowered individuals to pursue hobbies and leisure activities such as shopping and creative activities.
- Maintained strict confidentiality whilst handling sensitive information for report compilation.
dispatcher/administrator/planner
ISS Technical services
Stoke-on-Trent
2016.07 - 2018.01
- Ensured seamless operations by coordinating dispatch schedules.
- Managed two teams of engineers across multiple postcodes and planned their routes for completion of required work.
- :Liaising with teams to plan in all the work and achieve urgent SLA times and respond to urgent call-outs.
- Organised logistics to optimise delivery routes., resulting in optimised routes and faster service.
- Coordinated emergency situations to minimise service disruptions and maintain client satisfaction.
- Planned and assisted engineers nationwide to ensure timely service delivery for clients.
- :As it is my job to offer good service for our engineers, at the same time making sure our clients receive excellent response to emergencies and are left happy with the service we provided.
- Streamlined communication for quicker response times.
- Prioritised tasks to ensure timely efficiency
- Managed high volumes of incoming calls efficiently. of inbound calls calmly under pressure.
- :Answering the phone throughout the day to provide information and guidance to our engineers.
- Fostered positive relationships with drivers and customers for smooth transactions.
- :My job involved a lot of problem problem-solving thinking on my feet at that given time to come up with workable solutions that I am faced with on a daily basis.
- :Provided emotional support to engineers during challenging situations to maintain morale and productivity.
- :At times I supported engineers who could be quite rude and non-compliant of what was expected with regards to our company ethos, so it is imperative I adopt a non judgemental calm attitude, in order to achieve a positive outcome.
- :Provided administrative duties for my team leader to update any records and to provide information of target achievements and update notes for work carried out.
- :We also carried out purchase orders to suppliers so the engineers may obtain the materials they need. I also liaise with 2 team leaders for the engineers to update them on progress and to manage the engineers' workload. Provide a wide range of skills within the role at ISS.
Work Experience skills acquired working with SEN children
Various schools
Chester, Cheshire
2006.09 - 2015.07
- Provided one-to-one support in classroom for young boy with behaviour difficulties, facilitating learning and promoting positive choices daily while liaising with outside agencies and parents.
- Collaborated with team members to enhance communication and support. Also supported other children within the school. I also ran a homework club. coordinated and trained the mediation program we had in school to support behaviour within the school, to offer support to children who need it.
- In addition a thinking for learning intervention to support children with limited vocabulary and literacy skills.
- Supporting Children with a range of challenges to overcome to reintegrate from a unit into being able to access the mainstream classes.
- Developing social skills and understanding of self and the world around them, helping them to follow school rules and ethos by setting out clear boundaries and providing routine and structure into their lives.
- Liaising with parents and outside agencies to develop and monitor the progress of each child in our care.
- Implemented a nurturing learning environment that simplified lessons.
- I worked in a behaviour unit with several young boys. part of my day was to play football or any games they wished as a reward for doing well, helping them throughout the day.
- Supported secondary school children in making informed choices, implementing IEP targets, enhancing social skills, and managing reward systems, while attending meetings with social workers and relevant governing bodies.
- Provided assistance to children in care homes to help them engage in clubs and support groups, helping them to access clubs and support groups.
- Conducted individual home studies to implement Azdan qualification effectively. implementing Azdan qualification which includes a wide range of skills.
- Supporting year 11 students in their transition from school to college placements by investigating options and arranging meetings.
- Motivated children to pursue aspirations and build confidence, instilling a sense of well-being to enhance self-esteem and self-belief.
- Arranged practical sessions on a 1 day a week project, for our children to experience college life and gain skills to qualify for future courses.
- Assisted children during weekend shifts to strengthen relationships and support their life choices. helping and supporting the children within the home setting, which allowed me to build bonds in order to support them in life choices.
- I often took the children out at weekends to football matches, cinema, bowling or any activity they chose as a reward for progressing and achieving within themselves.
Administration
Bollicini Restaurant
Chester, Cheshire
2005.09 - 2006.07
- Managed payroll administration, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of employee payments.
- Coordinated payroll processes to ensure employees received correct compensation.
- Assisted in benefits administration, providing employees with comprehensive information.
- Executed assigned duties to achieve targets with precision. to deliver on targets with accuracy and efficiency.
- Implemented new skills to enhance operational efficiency. and productivity by acquiring new skills.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Resolved customer issues effectively to enhance satisfaction levels. by resolving issues.
- Used Microsoft Word and other software tools to create documents and clear communications.
Equestrian hand
Equestrian Hunting Stable Hand Lord Snowden stables Moulton North Yorkshire
, north yorkshire
1994.10 - 1995.09
- Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Quickly learned and applied new skills to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
Supervisor/ Assistant Manager
Disney Stores
Liverpool & Cheltenham
1991.08 - 1994.10
- Oversaw daily operations to ensure smooth workflow to increase productivity.
- Managed inventory to prevent shortages and excess stock.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly, enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Promoted a safe work environment by enforcing strict adherence to safety regulations.
- Delegated tasks appropriately; achieved balanced workload among team members.
- Provided constructive feedback to staff for improved performance levels.
- Facilitated monthly training sessions for enhanced staff performance.
- Assisted in the recruitment process for hiring quality staff members.
- Mitigated workplace conflicts through effective communication and negotiation.
- Encouraged open dialogue amongst team members, promoted an inclusive work environment.
- Tracked employee attendance to uphold workplace discipline records for maintaining discipline within the team.
- Identified potential risks and mitigated them through proactive measures.
concession manager
Top shop
Chester & Liverpool
1987.10 - 1990.06
- Managed inventory levels effectively to minimise out-of-stock situations.
- Promoted seasonal items or discounts effectively stimulating increased revenue.
- Consistently met personal sales goals whilst providing excellent customer service.
- Assisted customers with product selection, leading to improved customer satisfaction.
- Handled returns or exchanges professionally maintaining high level of customer satisfaction.
- Handled customer complaints in a professional manner, resolving issues promptly.
- Operated till accurately to ensure smooth checkout process.
- Performed price checks for customers with accuracy ensuring trust and credibility.
- Assisted in annual stocktaking activities, contributing to accurate inventory records.
- Maintained clean and organised store shelves for a pleasant shopping environment.
- Participated actively in staff meetings encouraging team spirit and cohesion.
- Followed company policies and guidelines strictly maintaining standards of operation.
Education
Diploma of Higher Education - social care
Shrewsbury Colleges Group
Shrewsbury, Shropshire 2019.04 - 2020.04
NVQ Level 3 - Teaching Assistant
Cheshire west college
west chechire 2006.10 - 2008.07
Certificate of Higher Education - Councelling
CPCAB
Cheshire 2012.09 - 2012.12
work based training
Physis care
Whitchurch 2018.01 - 2026.07
Certificate of Higher Education - Equestrian trainee
St Helens College
St. Helens 1986.09 - 1987.07
city & Guilds - various
Halewood comprehensive
Liverpool 1985.09 - 1986.07
GCSEs - School Qualifications
Halewood Comprehensive
Liverpool 1980.09 - 1985.06
Skills
Dispatching and administration
Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
Teaching support and customer care
Call center operations
Merchandising strategies
Mental health awareness
Filing and documentation
Customer service excellence
Social care expertise
Patience and resilience
Behavioural management techniques
Multimedia use for teaching
Use of interactive whiteboards
Meeting sen needs
experianced in LAC meetings such as PEP, CLAC, Care plan, liasoning with outside agencies supporting children to transisition out of care
Student assessment techniques
Learning styles adaptability
Special education experience
Safeguarding
Transitional support
Personal Education Plan (PEP) reviews
Student progress report writing
Clear communication
Behavioural de-escalation strategies
First Aid trained
Family dynamics understanding
Continued professional development
Child advocacy
Experience with adhd management
Nutritional planning for children
Therapeutic parenting techniques
Understanding of safeguarding procedures
Basic counselling techniques
Certification in fostering regulations
Attachment theory knowledge
Resilience in stressful situations
Understanding of attachment disorders
Proficiency in record keeping
Non-Judgemental attitude
Feedback delivery
Calm under pressure
Problem-solving
Communication skills
Resourcefulness
Certification
- Award in introduction to counselling skills. CPCAB West Cheshire College. January 2012.
- Induction Course to Support Children In Care, In the Home setting. ( Care Council For Wales) May 2012.
- Safer Food handler Food and Hygiene certificate Level 2. 3/4/2026
- Attachment And Trauma (Therapeutic crisis intervention). 10/3/2015.
- Safeguarding for children. 18/01/2026
Affiliations
- Paddle boarding,
- Walking fun outdoor days out.
- family
Timeline
Tutor
Physis Quantum care-Whitchurch
2022.09 - Current
Foster carer
Liverpool local authority
2022.03 - 2025.12
Diploma of Higher Education - social care
Shrewsbury Colleges Group
2019.04 - 2020.04
work based training
Physis care
2018.01 - 2026.07
Senior Therapeutic children's support worker
Physis Quantum-Whitchurch
2018.01 - 2022.08
dispatcher/administrator/planner
ISS Technical services
2016.07 - 2018.01
Certificate of Higher Education - Councelling
CPCAB
2012.09 - 2012.12
NVQ Level 3 - Teaching Assistant
Cheshire west college
2006.10 - 2008.07
Work Experience skills acquired working with SEN children
Various schools
2006.09 - 2015.07
Administration
Bollicini Restaurant
2005.09 - 2006.07
Equestrian hand
Equestrian Hunting Stable Hand Lord Snowden stables Moulton North Yorkshire
1994.10 - 1995.09
Supervisor/ Assistant Manager
Disney Stores
1991.08 - 1994.10
concession manager
Top shop
1987.10 - 1990.06
Certificate of Higher Education - Equestrian trainee
St Helens College
1986.09 - 1987.07
city & Guilds - various
Halewood comprehensive
1985.09 - 1986.07
GCSEs - School Qualifications
Halewood Comprehensive
1980.09 - 1985.06