About Me

Throughout my personal and working life I have always taken a creative approach to problem solving, I am always energetic and eager to learn new skills, I have often been described as a natural leader and a people person. I have a steady source of motivation that drives me to do my best, I thrive on challenge and like to set myself new goals, for example running a local 10k. I believe I have excellent communication skills and enjoy meeting new people and exploring the knowledge and eperiences they have had.

Presenting

Experience

Specialist Areas

Employment History & Experience

Project Manager HMP New Hall - Wakefield June 2013 to May 2019 Wakefield  WF4 4XX   
In my previous role as project manager for action for children I was based at HMP New Hall, I'm am responsible for the management of the mother and baby unit and family support service within the prison.   
Children's Centre Manager Action For Children Wakefield - Wrenthorpe March 2010 to March 2013 phase 3 children's centre, Wrenthorpe, Wakefield.   
I was responsible for managing 3 children's centres and a team of staff across the Wakefield area, delivering a range of child and parent lead group work, sessions and activities, aimed at promoting best outcomes for families, young people and children.
Childrens Centre Manager Kirklees council - Birstall January 2008 to March 2010 Children's centres. Batley and Birstall.   
I was responsible for managing all aspects of the everyday running of a phase 1 and phase 2 children's centre and staff team, promoting best outcomes for children families and young people.
Family support co-ordinator Lifeline drug and alcohol service – Huddersfield and Dewsbury - Dewsbury July 2007 to January 2008
Responsible for establishing a comprehensive family support programme supporting team members to work with referred families who had a child young person or adult who had an addiction.
Senior family support worker Southgate Family Centre - Huddersfield July 1995 to July 2007 for Kirklees council.
I worked alongside social workers and other professionals creating comprehensive assessments, court reports, core assessments, supporting vulnerable families as well as individuals through the transition process and legal frameworks, focusing on the best outcomes for the child.

Languages Spoken

Experience & Qualifications

General Experience

My role with Action for Children managing the mother ∧ baby unit and family support service at HMP New Hall Wakefield where I worked closely with mothers and extended families from various backgrounds often experiencing complex care needs including mental health problems and drug and alcohol issues. Working in partnership with other agencies both within the prison and the wider community has been paramount in making sure we offer the best possible outcomes for the children and families who we work with. This has meant that I had to complete complex reports often for court as well as a range of other professionals General and more complex administration tasks were essential in order to support the project. 
In contrast to this I have also managed a Phase 2 Children's Centre which is in a high area of deprivation, vulnerability and unemployment with many families having complicated and complex needs, and thus required a high level of family support managed through the Children's Centre which enabled many of these families to receive early interventions within a universal setting promoting positive consistent outcomes, supported by excellent managerial skills and a strong team identity.   
I have had over 20 years experience within my field, this has ranged from managing teams, project management, comprehensive report writing for a variety sectors, producing detailed evaluations methods aimed at highlighting improvements in service delivery, alongside a full range of administration duties that supported my role. 
  I am always creative in my approach and would regard myself as solution focused. I am passionate about providing a quality service that adds value and supports clients to focus in core business activities.

Qualifications & Training

Post graduate in Managements and leadership National post qualifying in integrating centre leadership - Wolverhampton September 2008 to June 2009
BA Diploma Humanities and social science – Leeds University 2001.
Child Psychology - Bradford Collage 1995
NNEB – Kirklees Collage 1995

Other Information

Relevant Skills

kills  • Excellent communication skills  • Ability to work from my own initiative  • Ability to lead on reflective practice 

Interests & Hobbies

Reading, walking