Shannon Beacham
Poole,Dorset
Summary
Compassionate, reliable and highly skilled professional with extensive experience across the social care and education sectors. Strong background in safeguarding, promoting the welfare of children and young people, and supporting positive outcomes through a child-centred approach. Experienced in building effective relationships with young people, families and multi-agency professionals, with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Committed to creating inclusive, supportive environments that enable young people to thrive both personally and academically. Demonstrates strong understanding of diversity, equality and social inclusion, alongside proven ability to manage challenging behaviour constructively. Brings professionalism, resilience and creativity to inspiring engagement, raising aspirations and helping young people achieve their full potential.
Overview
11
11
years of post-secondary education
18
18
years of professional experience
Work history
Family Court Advisor
CAFCASS
, Hampshire & Dorset
10.2022 - Current
- Build positive relationships with children, young people, and families, ensuring their voices are heard throughout proceedings.
- Work collaboratively with multi-agency professionals to gather information and support safeguarding outcomes.
- Undertake risk assessments and analyse complex family circumstances, including domestic abuse and child welfare concerns.
- Complete direct work with children using age-appropriate communication and tailored interventions.
- Prepare high-quality, evidence-based court reports with clear recommendations focused on the child's best interests.
- Provide confident oral evidence in Family Court and respond professionally to challenge.
- Manage complex caseload, prioritising tasks and meeting court deadlines.
- Make safeguarding referrals, escalate concerns appropriately, and apply relevant legislation, policy, and procedures.
- Demonstrate resilience, professionalism, empathy, and strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Maintain confidentiality and uphold highest standards of child-centred practice.
School Social Worker
Lakeside School, Hampshire County Council
Chandler's Ford, Hampshire
01.2017 - 10.2022
- Supported pupils with social emotional and mental health needs, including Autism and ADHD.
- Assisted new pupil transitions through pre-start visits for entrants.
- Carried out early help assessments, coordinating support with families for consistency.
- Chaired and participated in EHCP review meetings.
- Prepared and facilitated creative programmes of direct and group work with pupils covering self-esteem, emotions, exam stress.
- Supported pupils visiting colleges, applying for college places and in their post-16 transition.
- Managed pupils attending alternative provision maintaining safe practice and quality assurance.
- Made child protection referrals and provided family support. Maintained accurate records.
- Oversaw school-wide implementation of 'My Concern', child protection information management system.
- Delivered safeguarding and mental health training to staff team.
- Developed staff induction programme for new starters across roles.
- Served as practice educator for student social workers during placements.
- Prepared and presented reports for multi-agency meetings and review forums.
Assistant Head of School (Pastoral)
Coppice Spring School
Basingstoke, Hampshire
09.2014 - 01.2017
- Supported the transition of the school through its conversion to a sponsored academy.
- Lead on safeguarding and attendance, and pupil wellbeing.
- Chaired, and participated in, EHCP review meetings.
- Managed a team of Teaching Assistants.
- Communicated with parents to address student issues related to behaviour, attendance and academic challenges.
- Led on re-engagement plans for pupils who refused to attend school, developing creative plans to meet their educational needs such as the use of alternative provision, work experience, 1:1 tutoring and online tutoring.
School Social Worker
Grangeside School, Hampshire County Council
Basingstoke, Hampshire
06.2013 - 09.2014
- Supported pupils with social emotional and mental health needs, including Autism and ADHD.
- Assisted new pupil transitions through pre-start visits for entrants.
- Carried out early help assessments, coordinating support with families for consistency.
- Chaired and participated in EHCP review meetings.
- Prepared and facilitated creative programmes of direct and group work with pupils covering self-esteem, emotions, exam stress.
- Supported pupils visiting colleges, applying for college places and in their post-16 transition.
- Managed pupils attending alternative provision maintaining safe practice and quality assurance.
- Made child protection referrals and provided family support. Maintained accurate records.
- Delivered safeguarding and mental health training to the staff team.
- Developed a staff induction programme for new starters across roles.
- Served as practice educator for student social workers during placements.
- Prepared and presented reports for multi-agency meetings and review forums.
Residential Worker
Hillcrest Care
Slinfold, West Sussex
11.2012 - 06.2013
- Created positive, safe routines for the children who resided in the home.
- Supported the children to access and engage with their education.
- Undertook risk assessments, and contributed to care plans.
- Prepared and presented reports for statutory multi-agency meetings.
Young Persons Project Worker
A2 Dominion
Winchester
03.2012 - 10.2012
- Processing new referrals and undertaking initial assessments.
- Assessing risk and developing support plans with young people.
- Supporting young people to access work, education and employment.
- Sign-posting other services such as counselling and advocacy.
- Supporting young people when attending court and undertaking prison visits.
- Liaising with other relevant agencies such as Social Services, Police, Probation and CAMHs.
- In this role I provided emotional and practical support to disadvantaged and vulnerable young people in a supported living environment.
Student Social Worker
Lakeside School
Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh
09.2011 - 03.2012
- Undertaking Common Assessment Frameworks, taking the role of lead professional and co-ordinating the support in place for the child and their family.
- Preparing and facilitating creative programmes of Direct Work and Group Work with pupils.
- Making child protection referrals and providing parenting support.
- Prepared and presenting reports to statutory multi-agency meetings such as Child Protection Conferences, Planning Meetings and Children Looked After Placement Reviews.
- In this specialist secondary school for boys with emotional, behavioural and social difficulties I worked with pupils in a way which promoted their growth, development and independence. I managed the School Social Worker's office, supporting pupils as they required it and overseeing the pastoral care within the school.
Project Worker
New Forest Floating Support, Stonham
Woolston, Southampton
07.2011 - 10.2011
- Undertaking assessments for service provision which incorporated clients' support and safety needs in addition to identifying their strengths, skills and interests, and developing support plans derived from these assessments.
- Providing support around sustaining tenancies, budgeting, applying for community care grants, finding employment and applying for further education.
- I provided housing-related support to adults with various support needs around areas including learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health problems and substance misuse.
Student Social Worker
Domestic Abuse Services, Stonham
Woolston, Southampton
03.2011 - 07.2011
- Undertaking assessments and care plans for new referrals, conducting and reviewing risk assessments.
- Supporting clients in an empowering way to identify and work towards their goals all the while promoting the safety of themselves and their children.
- Co-ordinating support from other agencies who are well-equipped to offer specialist advice and services.
- I provided emotional and practical support to victims of domestic abuse, and their families, within a refuge and out in the community.
Support Worker (Adults with Learning Disabilities)
TQTwentyOne
Colden Common, Winchester
11.2010 - 07.2011
Support Worker (Adults with Autism)
Caretech
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
11.2008 - 08.2010
Education
BSc (Hons) - Psychology with History
University of Gloucestershire
09.2005 - 06.2008
MSc - Social Work
University of Southampton
10.2010 - 07.2012
A-Levels - Information and Communication Technology (B), Psychology (B), English (C)
Truro College
Cornwall 09.2003 - 06.2005
GCSEs - English (A); Maths (B); Science (AA); History (B), Drama (B), German (B); Religious Studies (B); ICT
Richard Lander School
Truro, Cornwall 09.1998 - 06.2003
Skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Honest and reliable, adaptable and flexible
- Strong, broad experience within Social Care and Education
- Able to creatively engage young people
- Able to stay calm when under pressure
- Able to deal with challenging behaviour
- Understanding of social diversity issues
- Excellent computer skills
- Full clean driving licence
Affiliations
- Running, paddleboarding, reading, cycling, hiking, travel
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Family Court Advisor
CAFCASS
10.2022 - Current
School Social Worker
Lakeside School, Hampshire County Council
01.2017 - 10.2022
Assistant Head of School (Pastoral)
Coppice Spring School
09.2014 - 01.2017
School Social Worker
Grangeside School, Hampshire County Council
06.2013 - 09.2014
Residential Worker
Hillcrest Care
11.2012 - 06.2013
Young Persons Project Worker
A2 Dominion
03.2012 - 10.2012
Student Social Worker
Lakeside School
09.2011 - 03.2012
Project Worker
New Forest Floating Support, Stonham
07.2011 - 10.2011
Student Social Worker
Domestic Abuse Services, Stonham
03.2011 - 07.2011
Support Worker (Adults with Learning Disabilities)
TQTwentyOne
11.2010 - 07.2011
MSc - Social Work
University of Southampton
10.2010 - 07.2012
Support Worker (Adults with Autism)
Caretech
11.2008 - 08.2010
BSc (Hons) - Psychology with History
University of Gloucestershire
09.2005 - 06.2008
A-Levels - Information and Communication Technology (B), Psychology (B), English (C)
Truro College
09.2003 - 06.2005
GCSEs - English (A); Maths (B); Science (AA); History (B), Drama (B), German (B); Religious Studies (B); ICT
Richard Lander School
09.1998 - 06.2003