Shirley Kamau

I have worked at Cineworld as a team member while studying for my Social Work BA degree. Thought my time there I have:

• Communicated effectively with a wide range of customers.
• Worked collaboratively as part of a team.
• Managed challenging situations, including conflicts, distressed customers and complaints.
• Demonstrated reliability, time management and professionalism.

Thought this role, I have developed strong transferable skills aligned with social work practice. such as empathetic communication, building rapport with individuals from diverse backgrounds, conflict resolution and effective team work.

For my 90-day placement, I expressed a keen interest in adult's mental health and forensic work. This led me to a placement in a Low Secure Mental Health Hospital. Throughout my placement I have:

• Undertook comprehensive assessments such as financial capacity and initial social work CPA assessments.
• Contributed to the development of care plans within a multidisciplinary team.
• Applied relevant legislation such as the Mental Health Act 1983 in day-to-day practice.
• Participated in ward rounds, CPA meetings, Tribunals and Manager's Panels.
• Managed a caseload under supervision- prioritising urgent tasks and picking up work across the team.

This placement has strengthened my awareness of safeguarding, my ability to apply social work theory in practice, risk assess and work collaboratively within a highly qualified multidisciplinary team.

For my 80-day placement, I supported adults with complex needs, including homelessness, mental health difficulties and substance misuse within a residential hostel setting. Throughout this placement I have:

• Built trusting relationships with individuals who often disengaged from services using a person-centred and trauma-informed approach.
• Worked collaboratively with external agencies such as probation, outreach teams and health services to coordinate support.
• Promoted service user independence by supporting access to housing, benefits and substance misuse support.
• Managed challenging situations including conflict and crisis using de-escalation techniques and my professional judgment.

This placement enhanced my ability to respond flexibly to complex and unpredictable situations. I adapted my approach to meet the diverse needs of vulnerable adults and developed confidence in delivering non-judgemental practice.