Janice Wickins

I enjoy every aspect of Hospitality; I like to see happy customers that return for another epic dining experience. I am passionate about my work and will give 100% in each task. Also catering and arranging functions for family and friends.

My life experiences and current employment with vulnerable children and previous experience with vulnerable adults makes me an excellent candidate for this position. I currently work with young children who have experienced traumas within their life. My role is to be a supportive person to these young people and enable them to build a relationship with someone they trust.

I am in the process of completing a life story book in which I am required to creatively work with the family and child to produce a story for the child to understand the reason why they are in care. I have two children whom I have supported through adolescence and through some challenging life experiences. I believe this will enable me to empathize and comprehend the difficulties faced by adolescents and cope with the challenges which may arise.

I am customer focused and understand the needs of others. I work with customers in a professional manner and will endeavor to implement solutions and challenge for change for the customer. I have attended meetings where I have recommended the best course of action to meet a customer’s needs.

These recommendations are shared with professionals who support the family whilst allowing the customer to make decisions based upon information gathered. I am trustworthy professional who works well with within a team. I am willing to share my opinions and decisions whilst considering the opinions of others.

I work well within a team and adjust well to new situations and welcome new challenges. I am flexible and have shown this through my commitment to working additional hours, evenings and weekends. Although familiar with housing, benefits and routes to employment for young people this is an area in which I am keen to develop.

I am proactive and willing to undertake any relevant training to improve personal development and strive to improve own practice. I am familiar with the importance of The Children Act 1989 and The Children Leaving Care Act 2000 and understand the impact being placed in care can have on a child. I am willing to support them through the challenges they may face and empower the individuals to make changes.

I am accountable for the work I undertake and endeavor to work within timescale. Through seeking a better outcome for customers I hope to create solutions and challenge the way things are done. I believe it is important to prioritize the needs of others to improve customer service.

I look forward to a new challenge as I believe I am excellent candidate for the position.

Waitressing - Various bars/restaurants; Crown caterers

(1987)

Employment History – 1987 to Date casual as and when needed.

• Waitressing in various bars/restaurants.
• Crown caterers VIP events. / V festival/ Carlton club/Guildhall/Twickenham VIP lounge.
• Silver service
• Plate service.
• Health and Hygiene certificate held.
• Setting up tables and clearing.

Essex County Council

(2009-02)

Visiting clients’ homes, public buildings and contact Centre’s to supervise contact with parents and children. Prior to this taking place I have to carry out a risk assessment and ensure that contact is carried out according to Departmental procedures. Contact can be an emotional time for parents who may have just had their children removed from the family home so I ensure that I deal sympathetically with the situation by making sure the family is given time together where they can interact with each other.

Receptionist/Telephonist/Administrator - Essex County Council/Legal and Registration/Coroner’s office

(2008-01 - 2009-12)

As receptionist I was the first point of contact for everyone who visited the Coroner’s Office. One of my responsibilities was to make sure all visitors signed in and out of the visitor’s book. This was necessary to all visitors to the building could be accounted for in the case of a fire or emergency.

Many professionals and members of the public attended the building during the course of the day to either attend an inquest or collect paperwork for funerals or legal matters. I always showed respect to each caller and helped with their enquiries to the best of my ability especially as their visit may be to deal with the death of a close family member. I used Word, Excel and used the in-house database called Terms to update personal information.

Receptionist/Telephonist/Administrator - Learning and Skills Council

(2006-02 - 2008-01)

I worked in the reception area meeting and greeting clients from all areas of education. The reception switchboard was extremely busy and I had to ensure that calls were answered promptly and connected to the relevant person or section. I assisted in organizing events and fun days for learners by collating packs for the itinerary and making sure all learners had the information they needed for the event.

I also organized transport for those learners who did not have their own transport to travel by themselves.

Head receptionist - CDAS - Drug and Alcohol Unit

(2005-02 - 2006-02)

This was a very demanding role where I had to use my strong customer service skills to communicate and negotiate with clients. My role as head receptionist required me to deal with people who were visiting the unit because of their addition. Once they had booked into the clinic they would see a doctor and give me the paperwork to deal with after their appointment was finished.

I would then arrange for them to receive their medication and book an appointment with a counsellor for them. This was a sensitive role and required many skills, such as customer services and, tact and diplomacy. Due to the nature of the role, it was essential that any personal information was stored securely.

Canon Palmer RC – Benton Road Seven Kings (1976 - 1981)