Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
References
Timeline
Generic

PAULA GROOME

Pevensey,East Sussex

Summary

As a motivated registered professional Social Worker I have over 30 years of experience working in statutory and charitable services. I am seeking work in Adult Social Care and am confident in my skills and knowledge relevant to working in the community, hospital and palliative care settings at an experienced level.

My area of practice has predominantly involved working with adults. I also possess knowledge of working with children and families and believe these skills are transferrable. I am passionate about developing and facilitating programs to support communities in need. I believe collaboration and analysis strengthens strategic partnerships. I advocate for clients to advance change for communities in need. I have a comprehensive knowledge of social justice issues and systems affecting marginalised communities.

I am a qualified Practice Teacher and value the opportunity of sharing knowledge as this provides reciprocal development experiences. I am proficient in maintaining timely and accurate records, including case notes, progress reports, treatment plans and adhere to general data protection regulations.

I am motivated Social Worker with extensive experience in Adult Protection, leading and directing enquiries assessing risk and applying the safeguarding principles of empowerment, prevention, proportionality, protection, partnership and accountability.

I have extensive experience in social care management and achieve dedication and loyalty from team members through effective supervision, support and development. I consider myself to motivational and approachable.

My experience covers community, acute and palliative care services across statutory and charitable organisations. As a registered professional social worker I ensure my knowledge of policy and legislation is current and includes direction of health and social care.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience
2010
2010
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Palliative care social worker

St Wilfrid's hospice
Eastbourne, East Sussex
02.2024 - Current
  • Devised methods of stress reduction for patients and carers, leading to enhanced wellbeing and productivity.
  • Liaised with community resources for provision of statutory support services.
  • Collaborated with medical professionals to develop personalised end-of-life care plans.
  • Streamlined communication for seamless service delivery amongst interdisciplinary healthcare team.
  • Developed culturally sensitive interventions-promoted inclusivity in palliative care provision.
  • Delivered empathetic palliative care by conducting regular meetings with patients and their families.
  • Provided grief support to bereaved family members, fostering emotional healing.
  • Conducted thorough social and psychological assessments, ensuring holistic approach to care.
  • Supported families during loss adjustment period, resulted in healthier grieving processes.
  • Ensured ethical practices whilst maintaining confidentiality in sensitive situations.
  • Advocated rights of the terminally ill, resulting in improved quality of life towards end stages.
  • Assessed patient needs, making appropriate referrals for additional services.
  • Maintained comprehensive case files, aiding efficient service delivery and reporting processes.
  • Cultivated holistic approach to palliative care from social work perspectives.
  • Advocated for clients and families to access necessary care
  • Used paper and computerised case recording systems to track casework and patient data.
  • Maintained updated knowledge of Mental Capacity Act and associated capacity-specific assessments.
  • Facilitated referrals to external agencies to address complex financial, legal or housing issues.

Locum Social Worker

Brighton & Hove Health & Adult Social Care
Brighton, Brighton and Hove
02.2022 - 01.2024
  • Safeguarding triage. Worked as part of busy team applying safeguarding policy and legislation in response to concerns raised.
  • This required speedy decision making using clear application of policy, identifying risk and protective measures. Lead Enquiry Officer role to undertake statutory safeguarding enquiries, working in partnership with adult at risk and statutory agencies including police, health, housing, and care providers to minimise risk of harm.
  • West Locality Team. Worked as part of an adult assessment team undertaking Care Act assessments, reviews, and safeguarding. Assessed social care needs, advised care and support plans and submitted funding applications to panel. Continuing Healthcare duty role to monitor incoming work and triage.
  • Targeted Reviews. Tasked with focussing on overdue reviews of need.
  • This role entailed working on overdue reviews of Direct Payments services. Purpose was to balance needs of person and simultaneously recoup surplus funds accrued in DP accounts. I also took on responsibility of triaging incoming Continuing Healthcare Review requests. Most of these cases were for people who had been Fast Track funded due to being considered end of life or with rapidly deteriorating health condition. These were identified by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) as potentially no longer eligible for health funding and potential for local authority funding responsibility.

Senior Social Worker

St Michael's hospice
St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex
07.2021 - 12.2021
  • Worked as part of inter-disciplinary team supporting patients and their families/carers in community and hospice setting diagnosed with life limiting illnesses.
  • Compiled and managed case records and progress reports, employing meticulous attention to detail and strict confidentiality.
  • Built and maintained working relationships with community organisations, social agencies and voluntary groups including statutory and voluntary to improve services and develop new services.
  • Provided ongoing training, support and mentorship to Social Workers through induction, performance management and supervision, maximising overall team effectiveness.
  • As Lead Safeguarding Officer acted as first point of call for interdisciplinary colleagues in all safeguarding concerns within organisation. Priority was to prevent/reduce risk of immediate harm and refer concerns on to statutory agencies. Monitoring of safeguarding activity, reporting to Senior Management Team and identifying trends, remedies and areas for service development.
  • Monitored clients' progress by maintaining regular contact, ensuring consistent care and adequate access to resources.
  • Acted as facilitator between clients in need and community services including health and social and voluntary through effective case management.
  • Helped clients pinpoint emotions underlying personal and relational conflicts.
  • Collaborated with social services, referral sources, and other professionals, including specialist health care, education and bereavement services and to meet patient and family needs.
  • Conducted holistic assessments based treatment and desired outcomes of needs for individuals.
  • Explained medical care options to help families make informed healthcare decisions.

Practice Manager

East Sussex County Council
Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex
03.2020 - 06.2021
  • Led and managed Adult Social Care team through emergency amendments Care Act 2014 in response to Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Supported team to implement and adhere to Discharge to Assess policy.
  • Contributed to and led daily situation report meetings, including acute Trust, Clinical Commissioning Groups and Adult Social Care.
  • Ensured team were provided with necessary equipment and support to adapt to working remotely whilst maintaining social work values and good practice.
  • Received and responded to complaints raised regarding service.
  • Participated and contributed to senior management meetings within Local Authority and partner agencies to ensure high standards were achieved and patient flow was efficient and timely.
  • Received and managed complex safeguarding enquiries in line with key principles of safeguarding, empowerment, prevention, protection, partnership and accountability.

Practice Manager

East Sussex County Council
Eastbourne, East Sussex
05.2011 - 03.2020
  • Developed Integrated service comprised of Adult Social Care and Registered Nurse assessors to undertake Continuing Healthcare (CHC) screening through checklist applications, eligibility assessments and funded nursing care contributions (FNC).
  • Contributed and participated in senior management forums to influence service delivery as part of whole social care system.
  • Responded to safeguarding concerns, analysed risk and led decision making on safeguarding enquiries. Worked in partnership with police, health, education and social care providers. Person centred, acknowledging individual's desired outcomes.
  • Implemented integrated duty system achieving objectives of partner agencies in recognition of respective key performance indicators and person centred outcomes for clients.
  • Led team through change and transition, supported service and individual development.

Practice Manager, Community Learning Disability Team (west)

East Sussex County Council
  • Team manager. Safeguarding Enquiry Manager, leading team undertaking Care Act 2014 assessments, Case management and carers support services.

Senior Practitioner, Community Learning Disability Team (peripatetic)

East Sussex County Council
01.2005 - 01.2008
  • Supervising team, undertaking complex case work, assessments and safeguarding enquiries under Care Act.

Senior Practitioner

Eastbourne District General Hospital
Eastbourne
01.2005 - 01.2008
  • Supervising team, undertaking complex case work, assessments and safeguarding enquiries under Care Act.

Social Worker

Hastings & Rother Community Assessment Team (adults)
01.2001 - 01.2005
  • Complex case management, NHSCCA assessments of need, safeguarding Adults at risk, carers assessments.

Community Support worker

East Sussex
01.1994
  • Adults with Learning Disabilities, Mental health services.

Education

Diploma of Higher Education - Social Work

Sussex University
Brighton

Diploma of Higher Education - Social Work

Sussex University
Brighton

Diploma of Higher Education - Post Qualifying SW Award

Sussex & Surrey Post Qualifying Consortium
Brighton

Diploma of Higher Education - Social Work

Brighton and Sussex Universities
Brighton

Diploma of Higher Education - Social Work

Universities of Brighton & Sussex
Brighton

A-Levels - Humanities

Eastbourne College of Arts And Technology
Eastbourne

GCSE - undefined

Bishop Bell Secondary School
Eastbourne, East Sussex

Skills

  • Engaging leadership style
  • Record management
  • Knowledge and adherence GDPR
  • Effective Case management
  • Policy implementation
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Risk analysis
  • Referrals and networking
  • Efficient under pressure
  • Multidisciplinary team collaboration
  • Compassionate
  • Analytical thinking

Affiliations

  • I enjoy participating in amateur dramatic productions, both on stage and in supporting back stage roles! I love music, the arts, and I'm an avid reader of crime and fantasy novels. I find that immersing myself in nature, enjoying life outdoors provides opportunity to effectively balance my professional and personal life, and develop skills for emotional wellbeing and resilience.

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Palliative care social worker

St Wilfrid's hospice
02.2024 - Current

Locum Social Worker

Brighton & Hove Health & Adult Social Care
02.2022 - 01.2024

Senior Social Worker

St Michael's hospice
07.2021 - 12.2021

Practice Manager

East Sussex County Council
03.2020 - 06.2021

Practice Manager

East Sussex County Council
05.2011 - 03.2020

Senior Practitioner, Community Learning Disability Team (peripatetic)

East Sussex County Council
01.2005 - 01.2008

Senior Practitioner

Eastbourne District General Hospital
01.2005 - 01.2008

Social Worker

Hastings & Rother Community Assessment Team (adults)
01.2001 - 01.2005

Community Support worker

01.1994

Practice Manager, Community Learning Disability Team (west)

East Sussex County Council

Diploma of Higher Education - Social Work

Sussex University

Diploma of Higher Education - Post Qualifying SW Award

Sussex & Surrey Post Qualifying Consortium

Diploma of Higher Education - Social Work

Brighton and Sussex Universities

Diploma of Higher Education - Social Work

Universities of Brighton & Sussex

A-Levels - Humanities

Eastbourne College of Arts And Technology

GCSE - undefined

Bishop Bell Secondary School

Diploma of Higher Education - Social Work

Sussex University
PAULA GROOME