Sruthi Raju
Edinburgh,United Kingdom
Summary
Behaviour-focused support practitioner with experience working one-to-one and in small groups with children aged 4–12, including those with autism, ADHD, SEMH needs, selective mutism, and communication differences. Supported by a postgraduate background in psychology, applied behavioural research experience, and supervised clinical exposure. Demonstrates a structured, reflective approach to behavioural support, with strong skills in observation, accurate documentation, safeguarding, and consistency of care. Currently seeking opportunities to further develop practical experience in Applied Behaviour Analysis, supporting children through structured, evidence-based behavioural interventions within clinical and educational settings.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Childcare Support Practitioner
Gingerbread Childcare
Edinburgh, Midlothian
02.2025 - 01.2026
- Provide structured one-to-one and small-group support for children aged 3–12, including children with autism, ADHD, SEMH needs, selective mutism, and learning difficulties.
- Deliver structured one-to-one intervention-style sessions focused on engagement, behaviour, emotional regulation, and communication.
- Use play-based and activity-led approaches to support learning, engagement, and skill development appropriate to each child’s developmental level.
- Encourage independence and self-help skills, supporting children to complete tasks with reduced prompting over time.
- Implement individual behaviour and support strategies agreed by senior staff, ensuring consistency across sessions and environments.
- Use positive reinforcement, clear instructions, modelling, and prompting to encourage engagement, skill acquisition, and appropriate behaviour.
- Support children to manage challenging behaviour and emotional dysregulation using calm, predictable, and consistent approaches.
- Observe and accurately record behavioural responses, triggers, and progress, contributing to behaviour logs, incident reports, and daily records.
- Work collaboratively with parents and carers, early years practitioners, teachers, and Care Inspectorate staff to ensure continuity of support.
- Maintain high standards of safeguarding, risk awareness, and child wellbeing in line with organisational policies.
Meaningful Activity Volunteer
NHS Lothian
Edinburgh, Midlothian
09.2024 - 01.2026
- Supported patients across Elderly Medicine, Stroke, Acute Medicine, and Dementia & Clinical Neuroscience wards, including individuals with learning disabilities, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, hearing impairments, and cognitive difficulties.
- Delivered one-to-one meaningful activity sessions, adapting engagement based on attention, communication ability, mood, and cognitive needs.
- Facilitated structured activities such as painting, games, music, quizzes, and reminiscence using photographs, supporting emotional wellbeing and cognitive stimulation.
- Practised behavioural observation and critical evaluation, identifying distress or unmet needs and reporting concerns appropriately to ward staff.
- Supported mobility and physical engagement, including supervised walks and assisting wheelchair users with staff consent.
- Assisted patients with daily practical tasks, including completing menu cards and supporting choice-making and independence.
Neuroscience Researcher
NeuroKeep
Elora, Canada
03.2023 - 07.2023
- Conducted research on neuropsychological topics including memory, stress, and brain training, contributing to reviews and evidence summaries.
- Developed psychoeducational blogs and social media content to translate neuroscience into accessible information for the public.
- Reviewed and analysed academic articles using structured literature review methods, identifying key themes and findings to inform psychoeducational content.
- Strengthened skills in data analysis, narrative writing, literature review, critical appraisal, and science communication.
- Supported the organisation’s mission to make neuroscience knowledge practical and accessible to help people improve brain health and wellbeing.
- Contributed to bridging the gap between academic research and public understanding, demonstrating the applied value of neuropsychology.
- Remote
Student Researcher
MSc Dissertation, University of Stirling
Stirling
01.2023 - 09.2023
- Conducted behavioural research exploring how social presence (human and conspecific) affects communication and behavioural responses, using both human-relevant behavioural frameworks and animal observation models.
- Collected and analysed behavioural data from repeated observations, focusing on observable actions, communication patterns, and changes in behaviour across different social contexts.
- Applied Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) to examine behavioural patterns while accounting for individual differences and environmental factors.
- Completed a systematic literature review on social communication and behaviour, linking findings from human behavioural psychology with comparable patterns observed in animal behaviour research.
- Managed and organised behavioural datasets using structured data management and thematic coding, ensuring consistency and accuracy in analysis.
- Produced clear scientific reports that translated behavioural findings into meaningful interpretations relevant to understanding communication, attention, and social behaviour.
- Developed strong skills in objective behavioural observation, analytical reasoning, and accurate data recording, directly transferable to ABA-informed behavioural monitoring and progress tracking.
Clinical Psychology Intern
The Soulful Mind
07.2020 - 12.2020
- Conducted case history taking and supported mental status examinations (MSEs) as part of supervised training.
- Participated in case discussions on psychiatric and developmental disorders, strengthening skills in clinical reasoning.
- Attended structured sessions on psychological assessments, clinical skills, ethics in practice, and foundations of CBT.
- Improved ability to observe, collect, and document clinical information under supervision.
Education
MSc - Psychology
University of Stirling
Scotland 01.2022 - 01.2023
BSc - Visual Media
Amrita University
India 01.2018 - 01.2021
A Levels - undefined
St. George HSS
KeralaSkills
- Behaviour observation, monitoring, and accurate recording
- Implementing behaviour and support strategies set by senior staff
- Positive reinforcement, prompting, modelling, and consistency
- Supporting communication, play, social interaction, and engagement
- Encouraging independence and self-help skills
- Managing emotional dysregulation and challenging behaviour
- Delivering structured sessions and routine-based support
- Safeguarding, risk awareness, and child protection
- Clear verbal and written feedback to senior staff and parents
- Reflective practice and openness to supervision
Certification
- Diabetes Management Training – delivered by NHS nurses at Gingerbread After School Club (2025)
- Safeguarding & Child Protection Training – LAYC (Lothian Association of Youth Clubs), Edinburgh (2025)
- First Aid Training – First Stop (2025)
- ZSA Suicide Awareness Training – Zero Suicide Alliance (2025)
- Interact-ABI-lity: Communicating with People with Acquired Brain Injury – Social Brain Toolkit (2025)
- Safeguarding Children Level 3 – CPD Accredited (2024)
- Diploma in Neuropsychology – CPD Accredited (2021)
- Neuropsychology Certification – Indian Council for Professional Education Mission (3-month course)
- PVG Certified – Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme, Scotland
- Registered with Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
REFERENCES
Available upon request.
Timeline
Childcare Support Practitioner
Gingerbread Childcare
02.2025 - 01.2026
Meaningful Activity Volunteer
NHS Lothian
09.2024 - 01.2026
Neuroscience Researcher
NeuroKeep
03.2023 - 07.2023
Student Researcher
MSc Dissertation, University of Stirling
01.2023 - 09.2023
MSc - Psychology
University of Stirling
01.2022 - 01.2023
Clinical Psychology Intern
The Soulful Mind
07.2020 - 12.2020
BSc - Visual Media
Amrita University
01.2018 - 01.2021
A Levels - undefined
St. George HSS