Mara Smart
Buckhaven,Fife
Summary
Experienced in family support with focus on early intervention. Capable of developing and implementing plans to improve family dynamics and child development. Skilled in building trusting relationships and working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to achieve positive outcomes.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
2012
2012
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Family Worker
The Yard
Edinburgh, Edinburgh
08.2025 - Current
- Providing up-to-date information and signposting to relevant support.
- Acting as a reliable contact for families needing extra help.
- Delivering support sessions (structured and informal) that connect parents and carers.
- Helping develop processes to understand and meet families’ needs.
- Working with the Service Manager and external partners to design and deliver appropriate support.
- Encouraging family feedback and participation in service development.
- Maintaining accurate records of support provided.
- Making referrals to other organisations when needed.
- Reporting any personal changes affecting employment or safeguarding requirements.
- Building relationships with service members.
Pupil support assistant
Fife Council
Fife, Fife
01.2022 - Current
- Experience working with children from age 2 years to 18 years with varying minimal support to challenging and complex needs.
- Support children and young people, individually, in small groups or in class settings, especially those identified as requiring additional support.
- Assist in implementing specialist support programmes (e.g., speech & language, physiotherapy, OT) and help with pupil mobility or personal care requirements (e.g., toileting, medication, moving & handling) as trained.
- Contribute to planning, review and record-keeping for individual pupil plans, liaising with teachers, parents/carers and partner agencies.
- Use specialist equipment or communication methods to support pupils with significant needs (e.g., ICT access, assistive technology, BSL)
- Support inclusive school environments by helping pupils access lessons, classroom activities, outings, clubs and other school experiences.
Residential care worker
Fife Council
Glenrothes, Fife
06.2022 - 01.2025
- Supporting young people from age 2 years to 18 years with life limiting conditions and complex needs.
- Provide high-quality care and support for children and young people within a safe, nurturing residential environment.
- Build trusting, therapeutic relationships to promote emotional wellbeing, self-esteem and positive behaviour.
- Contribute to individual care plans and daily routines, supporting each child’s education, health and personal development.
- Work collaboratively with families, schools, health professionals and external agencies to meet identified needs.
- Maintain accurate care records, reports and documentation in line with organisational and legal requirements.
- Promote children’s rights, safeguarding, and trauma-informed practice in all aspects of care.
- Support young people in developing life skills, independence and positive relationships.
- Assist with household tasks such as meal preparation and maintaining a comfortable, homely environment.
- Demonstrate flexibility by working shifts, including evenings, weekends and sleep-ins, to ensure consistent support.
Education
Certificate of Higher Education - Business Management
Fife College
Kirkcaldy, Fife 08.2025 -
Scottish Qualifications Certificate - Business and Accounting
Clydebank College
Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire 08.2011 - 06.2012
Scottish Qualifications Certificate - Counselling
Fife College
KirkcaldyScottish Qualifications Certificate - Cake Baking and Decorating
Fife College
KirkcaldySkills
- Supportive and compassionate
- Calm under pressure
- Problem-solving
- Communication skills
- Public speaking
- Resourcefulness
- Autism spectrum understanding
- Non-Verbal learning disability awareness
- Trauma counselling experience
Affiliations
- Community activism - Improving my community by organising success events.
- Baking and crafting - Anything creative I like to give a try
- Theatre and live music - community ran to large scale events
Accomplishments
Raising over £20,000 for charity in memory of a family member.
Successfully bringing back a bonfire and fireworks display for over 12,000 people.
Raising my family.
Timeline
Family Worker
The Yard
08.2025 - Current
Certificate of Higher Education - Business Management
Fife College
08.2025 -
Residential care worker
Fife Council
06.2022 - 01.2025
Pupil support assistant
Fife Council
01.2022 - Current
Scottish Qualifications Certificate - Business and Accounting
Clydebank College
08.2011 - 06.2012
Scottish Qualifications Certificate - Counselling
Fife College
Scottish Qualifications Certificate - Cake Baking and Decorating
Fife College