Nicola Brace

My job role is in the Positive Intervention Academy within Whitecross High School. We work with students who find mainstream school challenging, and are at risk of suspension or permanent exclusion. Our aim is to work with parents, carers, students and sometimes outside agencies to develop and deliver strategies to overcome barriers to successful learning. This includes some of the points listed below -

• Providing safe and secure learning environments.
• Teaching academic lessons to students in small groups or on 1:1 basis.
• Supporting students in a mainstream setting whilst encouraging an appropriate level of independence and responsibility.
• Differentiating lesson content to meet individual student need.
• Mentoring - to improve self-esteem, behaviour and engagement in education.
• Delivering SEAL sessions adapted to individual need.
• Meeting with families and outside agencies.
• Working closely with SLT and Pastoral Leads to create and implement strategies and plans for students, to ensure they are well supported and are given every opportunity to succeed.
• Assisting with suspension and exclusion policies, by writing factual behaviour reports.
• Ensuring students that have been adversely affected by home life (domestic violence, lack of parental boundaries) have safe environments to enable them to thrive.
• Where appropriate, working closely with wider teaching staff to support students to re-integrate into mainstream school.
• Identifying students social, emotional, mental health and welfare needs and working towards developing social skills within school.
• Ensuring confidentiality at all times.
• Supporting our school ethos and working collaboratively with colleagues.
• Maintaining personal and professional development to meet changing demands.
• Monitoring students closely on a daily basis to provide extra support through difficult and challenges times.
• Being aware of Safeguarding policies and reporting any concerns promptly and effectively.

• Accurate Delivery of key information.
• Great communication skills through verbal dialogue, also demonstrating ability to listen and react accordingly.
• Actively involved with regular communication with immediate and wider teams.
• Attended various webinars and online learning presentations.
• Responded to all in coming emails.
• Worked with fundraisers to encourage them to achieve their objectives.
• To listen to and react accordingly to all situations, including very sensitive cases of childhood cancer.
• To respect confidentiality at all times.
• To ensure inclusive culture.
• To work with good knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Managed time effectively to meet deadlines.

• Encouraged each child to achieve their full potential whilst being aware of differing abilities within classes.
• Ensured that children had caring and stimulating environments to enable them to thrive.
• Liaised with class teachers with regards to lesson planning and feedback.
• Took sole responsibility whilst working with children where varieties of activities were available, facilitated and enabled them by providing appropriate levels of interaction.
• Attended courses for CPD.
• Took responsibility for displays and compilation and presentation of children's work.
• Provided flexibility and worked with children wherever needed within departments - sometimes working through break times.
• Maintained high personal standards of appearance and behaviour at all times.
• Set high standards with regards to punctuality.
• Attended relevant meetings and INSET days.
• Remained professional at all times and was aware of the need for pupil/parent/staff confidentiality.
• Shared responsibility for resources and equipment.
• Taught Movement and Dance sessions from Nursery to Year 2 and provided lesson planning and learning objectives, termly curriculum outlines and report writing.
• Provided after school dance club for Year 3 and 4 children.
• Provided cover in the school office in the absence of regular staff.

• Trained clients on one to one basis.
• Taught fitness in small groups, including circuit training and spin classes.
• Offered 8 week Nutrition and Weight Management Courses.
• Explained ways to measure exercise intensity for best results.
• Designed each class to match skill and learning levels of all participants.
• Suggested exercise modifications to individual students to avoid strain and injury.
• Corrected unsafe movements and suggested alternate exercises.
• Encouraged members to continue attending group fitness classes.

• Provided clerical support to Managing Director.

• Maintained detailed case notes, on Mosaic aiding in decision making processes.
• Adapted support where possible to increase service accessibility.
• Supported clients with rehabilitation and socialisation in community settings.
• Reported on clients' progress to evaluate service impact.
• Counselled clients through difficult times using approved and compassionate strategies.
• Highlighted additional support provisions to maximise clients' growth opportunities.
• Helped service users to gain ability to function independently in society.
• Monitored client progress and adapted support programmes to meet changing needs.
• Collaborated with external support providers to maintain good care continuity.
• Liaised with external and internal professionals to provide holistic support.
• Offered practical daily living advice, including financial planning, housing support and legal guidance.
• Assisted service users to obtain and access community resources.
• Listened to clients' current struggles to signpost relevant support.
• Developed tailored Early Help action plans with SMART actions to achieve impact and positive outcomes
• Established and maintained working relationships with families based on trust and non-judgement.
• Co facilitated Triple P Parenting Groups to families
• Met with children and parents for consultations, determining appropriate services and education tailored to individual needs.
• Increased youth participation in pro-social activities through collaboration with therapist assistants and community resources.
• Educated parents about mental health, providing support and education for assistance.
• Coordinated structured and intensive support through interventions.
• Escorted families to counsellor, legal aid workers and doctor appointments.
• Remained calm and poised in difficult, stressful or escalating situations, helping to comfort individuals.
• Managed complex caseload of vulnerable families through strategic prioritisation.
• Worked in multidisciplinary teams to prevent issues escalating and reducing need for statutory intervention.
• Mentored parents in managing challenging behaviours; fostered positive changes.
• Liaised closely with social services to safeguard at-risk children.
• Offered advice on budget management, reducing financial stress in households.
• Conducted home visits, ensuring a safe environment for children.
• Worked closely with schools; improved child attendance rates.
• Promoted healthy relationships amongst family members through mediation.
• Assisted families in navigating the welfare system; secured appropriate benefits.