Louise Wylie
Larne,Mid and East Antrim
Summary
Dedicated professional with strong expertise in supporting children with Special Educational Needs, including autism and complex medical needs. Skilled in managing comprehensive referral processes and advocating for vital resources to enhance family wellbeing. Proven ability to lead teams effectively, ensuring high standards of care through strategic planning and clear communication. Strong knowledge of child welfare frameworks guides interventions for safe, inclusive outcomes. Proficient in case note writing and data management, supporting informed decision-making. First Aid trained, committed to ensuring safety and wellbeing in all environments.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Family support practitioner
Action For Children
Ballymena, Mid and East Antrim
08.2022 - Current
- Provided targeted support to families with additional and complex needs, tailoring interventions to individual circumstances and working collaboratively to promote resilience, stability, and positive family outcomes.
- Assessed family needs and secured appropriate external support, including charitable aid from BBC Children in Need Fund, Bryson Fund, Action for Children crisis funds, and local food banks—ensuring families accessed timely and comprehensive assistance tailored to their unique circumstances.
- Worked closely with the Senior Team to lead and coordinate Family Support services, fostering strong communication and shared goals to enhance outcomes for families across the service.
- Led case and care planning management, conducting comprehensive assessments, reviews, and risk evaluations to ensure responsive, safe, and outcome-driven support for families with complex needs.
- Led and actively contributed to multi-agency meetings, ensuring reflective and analytical practice.
- Managed complex cases in line with established protocols, undertaking thorough assessments, planning interventions, and leading reviews to drive positive, sustainable outcomes for families.
- Facilitated referrals to relevant support agencies, including health visitors, social services, Family Support Hub, and Autism NI—ensuring holistic assistance tailored to each family's unique needs through proactive coordination and trusted partnerships.
- Organised and facilitated off-site group outings for children with additional and complex needs, including visits to Sensory Kids and Honey Bees SEN sessions—creating enriching, accessible experiences that supported social development and sensory engagement in a safe, supportive environment.
- Delivered diverse home-based support visits for families with children under 4, providing emotional and practical parenting guidance, speech and language support (SLT), routine-building strategies, and behaviour management techniques.
- Planned, delivered, and facilitated tailored individual and group-based services, partnering with families to promote child development and resilience through strengths-based support.
Special educational needs assistant
Linn Primary School
Larne, Mid and East Antrim
09.2016 - 06.2022
- Delivered personal care tasks where needed, preserving dignity and respect at all times.
- Organised structured play activities during lunchtimes, fostering social skills amongst peers.
- Encouraged student independence through the promotion of self-help skills.
- Provided dedicated 1:1 support to a child with diabetes, supporting daily care needs and helping to manage their condition in close coordination with the child, family, and relevant health professionals..
- Supported children with autism and learning difficulties, delivering tailored interventions and inclusive care strategies.
- Adhered strictly to safeguarding policies, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of every child in care.
- Liaised regularly with parents and carers to keep them informed of student progress and any concerns or achievements.
- Contributed to Individual Education Plan reviews, helping set realistic targets for each student's development.
- Worked with students in small groups and 1:1 to provide additional support with activities and lessons, offering constructive feedback and advice to develop skills.
- Built trusting, respectful relationships with pupils through attentive listening and communication abilities.
- Took part in school training activities to advance knowledge in working with students with specific learning difficulties.
- Provided classroom cover by teaching children during staff absences, ensuring continuity of learning and maintaining a supportive, structured environment that adapted to children's individual needs.
- Worked effectively with fellow classroom assistants.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Early Childhood studies
Stranmillis University
Belfast 06.2012 - 06.2016
A-Levels - ICT
Larne High School
Larne, Mid and East Antrim 09.2010 - 06.2011
A-Levels - Health and Social Care
Larne High School
Larne, Mid and East Antrim 09.2010 - 06.2011
A-Levels - Business Studies
Larne High School
Larne, Mid and East Antrim 09.2010 - 06.2011
GCSEs - ICT
Larne High School
Larne, Mid and East Antrim 09.2008 - 06.2009
GCSEs - Double Award Business Studies
Larne High School
Larne 09.2008 - 06.2009
GCSEs - Maths
Larne High School
Larne, Mid and East Antrim 09.2008 - 06.2009
GCSEs - English
Larne High School
Larne 09.2008 - 06.2009
GCSEs - Double Award Science
Larne High School
Larne 09.2008 - 06.2009
GCSEs - Office Applications and Computers
Larne High School
Larne 09.2008 - 06.2009
Skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Strong expertise in supporting children with Special Educational Needs, including autism, learning difficulties, and complex medical needs
- Great at identifying and advocating for vital resources and services to improve the lives of families and their children
- Skilled in managing comprehensive referral processes, identifying needs and coordinating timely access to appropriate services
- Excellent at management systems and databases to accurately record, maintain, and retrieve case-related data
- Proven ability to confidently lead, direct, and supervise teams, ensuring efficient delivery of services through strategic planning, clear communication, and responsive management
- Solid knowledge of child welfare and safeguarding frameworks, used to assess needs, guide interventions, and support safe, inclusive outcomes for children and families
- Proficient in accurate and timely case note writing, documenting assessments, interventions, and outcomes in line with best practice and organisational procedures
- First Aid trained, equipped with the knowledge and practical skills to respond effectively to medical emergencies, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children, families, and colleagues
- Experienced in strengthening family resilience through tailored support plans, promoting emotional wellbeing and coping strategies in vulnerable households
Affiliations
- Deep love for animals, with 18 years of hands-on experience caring for horses.
- Mum of Two & Family Adventurer I'm a proud mum to two lively boys. Life's best moments are the messy, joyful ones—muddy boots, bedtime stories, and laughter around the dinner table. Family time is my happy place.
Timeline
Family support practitioner
Action For Children
08.2022 - Current
Special educational needs assistant
Linn Primary School
09.2016 - 06.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Early Childhood studies
Stranmillis University
06.2012 - 06.2016
A-Levels - ICT
Larne High School
09.2010 - 06.2011
A-Levels - Health and Social Care
Larne High School
09.2010 - 06.2011
A-Levels - Business Studies
Larne High School
09.2010 - 06.2011
GCSEs - ICT
Larne High School
09.2008 - 06.2009
GCSEs - Double Award Business Studies
Larne High School
09.2008 - 06.2009
GCSEs - Maths
Larne High School
09.2008 - 06.2009
GCSEs - English
Larne High School
09.2008 - 06.2009
GCSEs - Double Award Science
Larne High School
09.2008 - 06.2009
GCSEs - Office Applications and Computers
Larne High School
09.2008 - 06.2009
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