Sarah Harris
BRIGHTON,EAST SUSSEX
Summary
Dedicated professional with extensive experience in SEND support and psychotherapy; knowledgeable in autism and ADHD strategies. Proficient in developing personalised lesson plans and employing effective behaviour management strategies. Committed to fostering inclusive learning environments that support diverse student needs, encourage curiosity and promote enjoyment of learning.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Home Help
Self-Employed
Brighton, Brighton and Hove
2016.04 - Current
- Assisted more than 25 elderly and disabled clients with daily tasks, improving their quality of life.
- Provided companionship and personal care services, fostering supportive environments.
- Maintained clean and comfortable living spaces through efficient service delivery.
Psychotherapist
Self-employed at Starling Therapy
Brighton, Brighton and Hove
2018.07 - 2025.11
- Performed client assessments and developed treatment plans.
- Proposed tailored treatment options and solutions to address client challenges.
- Supported clients in developing effective coping strategies for navigating life transitions.
- Cultivated empathetic therapeutic relationships to foster trust and open communication.
- Built trusting client rapport to create safe and welcoming clinical environment.
- Oversaw diverse caseload, achieving positive outcomes and high client satisfaction.
- Monitored therapeutic practices to evaluate effectiveness on clients.
- Documented patient progress and modified treatment plan as required.
- Maintained more than 130 confidential client records in accordance with legal requirements.
- Adhered to ethical guidelines whilst maintaining high standards of practice in psychotherapy.
- Participated in continuous professional development activities, keeping up-to-date with emerging theories and practices.
- Advocated on behalf of clients, promoting rights and autonomy.
Adult Education Teacher
Aspire Adult Education
Online, West Sussex
2021.03 - 2022.11
- Delivered counselling training workshops and seminars online to empower adult learners.
- Fostered inclusive learning environments, respecting all cultural backgrounds and experiences.
- Promoted lifelong learning attitudes by inspiring curiosity and self-motivation.
- Adapted teaching style to accommodate different learning preferences for optimal results.
- Provided personalised instruction and mentoring to over 30 students to align with individual strengths and abilities.
- Encouraged independent study habits, resulting in enhanced academic performance.
- Provided constructive feedback for each tutoring session to evaluate student performance and determine future needs.
- Sourced texts and relevant materials to adequately prepare for lessons and increase knowledge of academic study needs.
Nursing and Lab Assistant
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Brighton, Brighton and Hove
2011.10 - 2016.05
- Delivered high-quality patient care, enhancing comfort and satisfaction.
- Performed patient assessments, documented vital signs and reported changes to supervisors.
- Built rapport with patients through active listening and empathy, fostering open communication.
- Ensured clean and safe environment by adhering to hygiene standards and protocols.
- Obtained biological specimens for ordered tests and prepared for laboratory transport.
- Supported data security and patient privacy with adherence to confidentiality protocols.
Ambulance emergency medical technician
London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
London, London
2000.12 - 2011.10
- Responded to emergency calls, ensuring swift arrival at incident scenes.
- Used manual techniques and resuscitation devices to stabilise patient conditions.
- Handled stressful situations calmly; provided stable environment during crisis scenarios.
- Conducted basic diagnostic tests at scene of incident, aiding in fast treatment decisions.
- Enhanced patient comfort through empathetic care and support, contributing to overall patient satisfaction.
- Provided emotional support to patients' families, easing their distress during emergencies.
- Drove emergency vehicles with blue lights, ensuring compliance with driving policies.
- Performed routine checks on ambulance systems; secured optimal functionality at all times.
- Protected, promoted and safeguarded welfare for children and vulnerable adults.
- Administered medication to relieve patients' pain and discomfort.
Primary supply teacher
Agency
London, Outer London
2000.09 - 2000.11
- Enhanced student engagement by implementing creative lesson plans.
- Fostered positive learning environment, supporting student growth and development.
- Implemented behaviour management techniques to sustain positive learning environments across classrooms.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Adapted quickly to different year groups and classrooms, ensuring minimal disruption to students' learning experience
- Prepared daily lesson plans in line with national curriculum guidelines for improved knowledge retention.
- Documented daily student work to support lead teacher's planning and assessment.
Primary school teacher
Bracknell Forest Borough Council
Bracknell, Bracknell Forest
1993.09 - 2000.08
- Improved literacy levels by focusing on reading and writing skills.
- Collaborated with parents for improvement in students' academic performance.
- Utilised diverse teaching aids to improve student comprehension of various subjects.
- Designed interactive activities for better understanding of complex concepts.
- Integrated technology into lessons, making learning more interactive and fun.
- Fostered a positive learning environment by implementing creative teaching methods.
- Assessed student performance regularly, identifying areas needing improvement promptly.
- Facilitated extracurricular activities to support holistic development and engagement of pupils.
- Adapted teaching style according to individual student needs, fostering inclusive education.
- Developed lesson plans to engage students in the learning process.
- Adapted teaching materials to meet needs of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) students.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Provided reading instruction to special needs students.
- Encouraged personal development by motivating students to use mental and social capabilities.
- Safeguarded security of all students and intervened in cases of conflict between students.
- Prepared and delivered creative curriculum for children aged 4-11 in subjects including Maths and English.
- Identified SEN and gifted students to provide access to extra resources and services.
- Used behaviour management techniques to maintain positive learning environments.
- Identified students needing extra support and coordinated tailored teaching strategies.
- Helped children to reach full potential across multiple primary subjects using blend of modern and traditional teaching techniques.
- Evaluated student academic and social progress and used data to formulate achievable future targets.
- Created daily lesson plans targeted to current curriculum standards.
- Tutored students individually, improving attainment levels.
Education
Master of Science - Psychotherapy
University of Brighton
Brighton 2018.10 - 2020.05
Postgraduate Diploma of Higher Education - Psychodynamic Psychotherapeutic Counselling
University of Brighton
Brighton 2016.09 - 2018.05
Bachelor of Education - Education
University of Reading
Reading, England 1989.09 - 1993.06
Skills
- SEND support and tutoring
- Autism & ADHD knowledge & strategies
- Behaviour management
- Personalised lesson planning & learning styles adaptability
- Child psychology knowledge
- Patience, empathy & rapport building
Affiliations
- Genealogy
- Arts and Crafts
- Reading
- Hiking/Walking
- Animals and Nature
- French Language Learning
Timeline
Adult Education Teacher
Aspire Adult Education
2021.03 - 2022.11
Master of Science - Psychotherapy
University of Brighton
2018.10 - 2020.05
Psychotherapist
Self-employed at Starling Therapy
2018.07 - 2025.11
Postgraduate Diploma of Higher Education - Psychodynamic Psychotherapeutic Counselling
University of Brighton
2016.09 - 2018.05
Home Help
Self-Employed
2016.04 - Current
Nursing and Lab Assistant
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
2011.10 - 2016.05
Ambulance emergency medical technician
London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
2000.12 - 2011.10
Primary supply teacher
Agency
2000.09 - 2000.11
Primary school teacher
Bracknell Forest Borough Council
1993.09 - 2000.08
Bachelor of Education - Education
University of Reading
1989.09 - 1993.06