Linda Walton
Crewe,United Kingdom
Summary
Throughout my life I have had a strong interest in using my strengths and skills to assist and support others - for instance giving support to pupils in the resourced provision at my secondary school during my sixth form free time and as a volunteer play assistant at Countess of Chester hospital.
This desire led me to to a successful and fulfilling teaching career, encompassing SENDCo and Inclusion roles. Together with my respite family support experience this culminated in committing the last 12 years to fostering.
A compassionate and motivated individual with a strong desire to help children and families in need and can offer strong interpersonal skills, patience, and empathy.
The Start for Life Portage Practitioner role will enable me to transfer and further develop my skills and benefit more families in the future.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Foster carer
Cheshire East Council
, Cheshire
2014.08 - Current
- Twelve years fostering experience supporting a great number of challenging and complex placements. 75% of placements being under 5 years old.
- Helping children feel safe and supported in a stable, nurturing environment, during a challenging time in their lives
- Provide day-to-day care and activities to support children's health, education, and social-emotional wellbeing, working towards the developmental milestones.
- Attending meetings regarding the child's welfare and advocating on behalf of the child to have their wishes, feelings and needs heard.
- Working together with Nurseries and schools to ensure any barriers to educational progress are addressed.
- Supporting continued relationships with family through family time contact sessions.
- Managed confidential information, maintained accurate records, and contributed to reports and assessments, documenting evidence for future life story work.
Volunteer Family Befriender
Autism Networks
Crewe, Cheshire East
2001.02 - 2014.08
- Funded by National Autistic Society to provide respite support, every weekend and school holiday, for a family with 2 children with SEND - both girls having autism and learning disabilities.
- Began supporting when the girls were 2 years and 4 years old - supporting mum with activities or giving her time for herself. As the girls grew, my role developed to specifically work with the youngest girl. Providing complete personal care and facilitating activities both in the home and out in the community for sensory stimulation and exploring/developing her interests.
Primary and EYFS Teacher
Hungerford Primary (now Hungerford Academy)
Crewe, Cheshire East
2000.09 - 2014.08
- 2010-2014 EYFS/Nursery teacher including OFSTED inspection
- 2008 Completed training and became an Every Child a Reader teacher, specialising in reading recovery.
- 2005 Became SENDCo while continuing class teacher role (SENDCo 2005-2014)
- 2003 Teaching Year 1 and 2 students
- 2000 Began my job as the Support teacher, working across all year groups from nursery to year 6 supporting SEND children individually, in groups and also providing class cover for PPA and staff absence.
- During this time I was also R.E. co-ordinator, providing a whole-school curriculum lead and staff development training
- Well respected by colleagues and elected to serve as Teacher representative on school Governing Body
Education
Professional Development Training for Fostering Standards
Cheshire East/Foster4 Training
2021.09 -
Accredited Reading Recovery/ECaR Teacher -
Reading Recovery National Network/ Institute of Education
2008.09 - 2009.07
Working with Children and Young People with A.S.D.
University of Liverpool
Liverpool 2000.03 - 2000.11
Bachelor of Education (Hons) - Primary Education
De Montfort University
Bedford 1994.09 - 1998.07
Skills
- Experience of working with and supporting children, particularly Early years and those with SEND
- Clear knowledge and experience of safeguarding and child protection procedures
- Recognised experience of OFSTED inspections, including under EYFS framework
- Working knowledge and understanding of factors impacting on child development
- Significant experience working with parents, through both my teaching and fostering positions
- Continuing experience of multi-agency working and co-production
- Proactive in personal ongoing training and professional development
Timeline
Professional Development Training for Fostering Standards
Cheshire East/Foster4 Training
2021.09 -
Foster carer
Cheshire East Council
2014.08 - Current
Accredited Reading Recovery/ECaR Teacher -
Reading Recovery National Network/ Institute of Education
2008.09 - 2009.07
Volunteer Family Befriender
Autism Networks
2001.02 - 2014.08
Primary and EYFS Teacher
Hungerford Primary (now Hungerford Academy)
2000.09 - 2014.08
Working with Children and Young People with A.S.D.
University of Liverpool
2000.03 - 2000.11
Bachelor of Education (Hons) - Primary Education
De Montfort University
1994.09 - 1998.07