Karin Buchanan-Jones

I am a competent and effective communicator with excellent interpersonal skills. I am capable of working on my own initiative and within a team and have experience of supervising staff on a daily basis. I am able to adapt to new ideas and situations and have the ability to get on with people from all walks of life, in particular children. I have superb organizational and administrative skills.

Foster Carer - Self-employed

(2023-09)

As a foster carer, I provide a safe, nurturing and stable home environment for a young child, supporting her emotional, social and developmental needs. My role involves working closely with social workers, health professionals, nurseries and other agencies, attending meetings and reviews, maintaining accurate records, and promoting positive behaviour and learning through play and routine. As a parent carer for my adult son, who has additional needs, I provide ongoing practical and emotional support, advocate on his behalf, assist him in accessing services and appointments, and encourage his independence while ensuring his wellbeing and safety.

Midday Assistant - Runwell Primary School

(2019-11 - 2023-11)

Working 1:1 at lunchtime with a child with additional needs and severe trauma, assisting his development both in the dining hall and out on the playground. Working with Yr 1&2 children supervising lunches and packed lunches, supervising playground activities, dealing with behaviour issues in line with the behaviour policy, administering first aid, recording of incidents, tidying up.

Receptionist - Industry

(2017-09 - 2019-03)

• Liaising with customers both face to face and over the phone, including booking appointments and dealing with cash and card transactions
• Inputting client information onto the computerised system, stock control and cashing up at the end of the day
• Serving teas and coffees, tidying up and helping with cleaning as and when required

LSA - Wickford Junior School

(2015-09 - 2017-07)

• Working with individual and small groups of children under the direction of teaching staff
• The provision of skilled support to pupils with severe learning; behavioral; communication; social, sensory or physical difficulties
• The support to pupils' learning in line with the National Curriculum, code of practice, school policies and procedures
• Classroom administration, keeping children's records up to date and assisting at 'out of school' activities – both social and educational

LSA - Castledon School

(2013-01 - 2015-05)

• Working with individual and small groups of children under the direction of teaching staff
• The provision of skilled support to pupils with severe learning; behavioral; communication; social, sensory or physical difficulties
• The support to pupils' learning in line with the National Curriculum, code of practice, school policies and procedures
• Classroom administration, keeping children's records up to date and assisting at 'out of school' activities – both social and educational

Midday Supervisor - Ghyllgrove Infant's School

(2007-01 - 2012-11)

• Supervising staff whilst ensuring children are safe and well
• The administration of first aid as and when required
• Keeping a close eye on pupils' eating and behavior inside the building and outside in the playground and taking the necessary steps to deal with and report misdemeanors

Learning Support Assistant - Ghyllgrove Infant's School

(2007-01 - 2007-07)

• One to one additional support in helping with autism and learning difficulties

Telephonist/Receptionist - Allders Department Store

(2000-01 - 2003-12)

• Customer and client liaison, including; answering the switchboard, transferring calls and operating the tannoy system for internal staff and customer call outs
• Writing and sending memos, operating the fax machine and music system and filing

RSA 1 and 2 Typing, RSA 1 Office Practice - Basildon College (1981-01 - 1983-12)

O Level - Commerce - Basildon College (1981-01 - 1983-12)

O Level - English - Billericay School (1976-01 - 1981-12)

GCSE Grade 1 - English, Maths, German - Billericay School (1976-01 - 1981-12)

GCSE Grade 2 - History, Geography, French - Billericay School (1976-01 - 1981-12)