Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Hobbies and Interests
Timeline
Generic

Terri Mills

Templecombe,Somerset

Summary

I am a highly motivated and compassionate individual with extensive experience supporting children and young people with neurodevelopmental and emotional needs, including autism, ADHD, and SEMH. My professional background in specialist education settings, alongside leadership roles, has equipped me with strong skills in behaviour management, delivering targeted interventions, and working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to support positive outcomes.

I have experience contributing to assessment and support processes through detailed observation, report writing, and the development of individualised support plans. I am confident in building strong, trusting relationships with clients and families, and in applying psychological knowledge to support emotional wellbeing and development.

In addition to my professional experience, my personal experience as a parent of an autistic child has deepened my understanding of neurodiversity and strengthened my empathy, adaptability, and commitment to person-centred care.

I took an 11 year career break to raise my own family, during this time, I remained actively engaged in my community by supporting families and their infants, promoting secure attachment, guiding feeding practices, and offering emotional support during the transition into parenthood. I also served as Chairperson of my children's school PTFA for five years, where I developed strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills while working collaboratively with staff, parents, and the wider community.

I am now looking to refocus on my personal and professional ambitions and having now returned to employment, I am eager to build on my previous qualifications and experience, and I am particularly motivated to progress into an Assistant Psychologist role as a meaningful next step in my career.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education

Work history

SEMH Teaching Assistant

Marchant Holliday School
North Cheriton, Somerset
2025.11 - Current
  • Supported pupils with SEMH needs to improve emotional wellbeing, behaviour, and academic attainment.
  • Delivered tailored 1:1 and small group interventions to meet individual learning and developmental needs.
  • Contributed to planning, implementation, and evaluation of learning activities and individual support plans (e.g. EHCP targets).
  • Applied effective behaviour management strategies to promote positive engagement and a safe learning environment.
  • Monitored and recorded pupil progress, contributing to reports for reviews, assessments, and transitions.
  • Worked collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, including teachers, therapists, and external professionals.
  • Adapted teaching approaches and resources to support diverse needs.
  • Covered whole-class teaching when required, ensuring continuity and quality of learning.

Team Lead

The Priory Group
Frome, Somerset
2014.01 - 2014.09
  • Support young people with neurodiversity, identifying social, emotional and educational needs.
  • Plan, prepare, supervise and review routines and activities for students.
  • Use recorded observations to inform team practice, formal assessments, care plans and case reviews.
  • Lead a staff team in delivering therapeutic care to students as well as ensuring high standards of care and policies are followed.
  • Responsible for staff deployment, rostering, supervisions and appraisals.
  • Administer medication and manage money.
  • Assist multidisciplinary team by contributing to assessments, care plans, review meetings, behaviour support plans.
  • Liaise with families and represent students wishes where necessary and appropriate.

Assistant Team Manager

Cambian Education
Shillingstone, Dorset
2011.01 - 2012.10
  • Supporting young people with neurodiversity and additional behavioural difficulties.
  • Plan, prepare, supervise and review routines and activities for students.
  • Use recorded observations to inform team practice, formal assessments, care plans and case reviews.
  • Responsible for staff deployment, rostering, supervisions and appraisals.
  • Administer medication and manage money.
  • Liaise with families and represent students wishes where necessary and appropriate.

Team Lead and Research Assistant

The Honeypot Charity
New Forest, Hampshire
2007.07 - 2011.01
  • Lead respite breaks for young carers and disadvantaged children or young mums and their babies.
  • Responsible for maintaining high standards of care, boundaries and rules, promoting the welfare of the children and protecting them from harm.
  • Produce and maintain accurate records.
  • Assist with research carried out in conjunction with the University of Bath looking at the effects of respite care on children's self-esteem as well as looking at attachment bonds between young carers and those they care for.

Teaching Assistant and SEN 1:1

Gillingham Primary School
Gillingham, Dorset
2009.09 - 2010.12
  • 1:1 with a 6-year-old who had never attended school, was in foster care and had additional needs including an attachment disorder and anger and behaviour challenges.
  • 1:1 with 10-year-old with Autism and speech and language difficulties.
  • Supported in the Specialist base with 12 children, covering a wide range of neurodiversity.
  • Delivered training to TAs about autism and specific difficulties they may face in the classroom and how to aid their transition

Support Worker

NHS Oxford Clinic
Oxford, Oxfordshire
2007.09 - 2008.06
  • Working with 16 male patients on a rehabilitation ward, liaising with nurses and the wider care team including, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and psychiatrists.
  • Observed and monitor patients' behaviour, coping methods and risk patterns.
  • Review patient care interventions with the multi-disciplinary team and suggest actions that may help improve care pathways.
  • Support rehabilitative activities.
  • Assist with therapeutic interventions alongside the psychology team.

Care Assistant

The Mellowes
Gillingham, Dorset
2003.10 - 2007.05
  • Encouraged independence among patients whilst assisting them with tasks.
  • Documented reports on daily observations accurately, helping in keeping track of every resident's progress over time.
  • Collaborated with healthcare team for effective patient care delivery.
  • Helped with personal care tasks, promoting hygiene and cleanliness amongst patients.
  • Provided emotional support to patients, improving their mental wellbeing.

Education

MSc - Neuropsychology

University of Bristol
Bristol
2012.09 - 2013.09

BSc - Psychology

University of Bath
Bath
2005.09 - 2009.06

A-Levels -

Gillingham Comprehensive School
Gillingham, Dorset
2003.09 - 2005.06

GCSEs -

Gillingham Comprehensive School
Gillingham, Dorset
2001.09 - 2003.06

NVQ Level 2 - Team Leading

Brockenhurst College
Brockenhurst
2008.09 - 2009.09

Skills

  • Empathy and compassion
  • Professional and reliable
  • Reflective and open to feedback
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to build rapport with clients
  • Active listening and empathetic engagement
  • Ability to communicate complex information clearly to clients and teams
  • Resilience when working in challenging situations
  • Cultural awareness and sensitivity
  • Team player
  • Proactive in driving tasks and projects through to completion

Hobbies and Interests

When I'm not working, you'll usually find me with a book in hand or a crochet hook at the ready, creating something colourful. I also sew, garden, and love to tackle ambitious home renovation projects. To keep myself young (or at least feeling it!), I've taken up street dance, which is as entertaining as it is energising! Music is a big part of my life, and I love going to concerts and festivals. I love being outdoors and making the most of nature, whether that's walking the dog, camping out in a field, or simply enjoying some fresh air. For me, being outside is the perfect way to recharge, stay active, and find a bit of peace and perspective.

On a quirkier side, I volunteer at my local hedgehog rescue — I've even completed a hedgehog first aid and rehabilitation course, so I'm officially qualified to care for prickly little patients! Above all, though, my happiest moments are spent with my extended family, who keep life busy, joyful, and full of laughter.

Timeline

SEMH Teaching Assistant

Marchant Holliday School
2025.11 - Current

Team Lead

The Priory Group
2014.01 - 2014.09

MSc - Neuropsychology

University of Bristol
2012.09 - 2013.09

Assistant Team Manager

Cambian Education
2011.01 - 2012.10

Teaching Assistant and SEN 1:1

Gillingham Primary School
2009.09 - 2010.12

NVQ Level 2 - Team Leading

Brockenhurst College
2008.09 - 2009.09

Support Worker

NHS Oxford Clinic
2007.09 - 2008.06

Team Lead and Research Assistant

The Honeypot Charity
2007.07 - 2011.01

BSc - Psychology

University of Bath
2005.09 - 2009.06

Care Assistant

The Mellowes
2003.10 - 2007.05

A-Levels -

Gillingham Comprehensive School
2003.09 - 2005.06

GCSEs -

Gillingham Comprehensive School
2001.09 - 2003.06
Terri Mills