Manager at Upwards Care Solutions (2026-05 – Present)
Manage the day-to-day operation of supported accommodation services for vulnerable young people aged 16–18, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). Provide leadership and guidance to staff to ensure young people receive safe, consistent and person-centred support.
- Oversee safeguarding concerns, incidents, missing episodes and other risks, ensuring concerns are appropriately recorded, escalated and followed up.
- Lead and participate in risk management meetings and strategy meetings with social workers, local authorities and other professionals.
- Attend and contribute to matching meetings to help ensure young people are placed in suitable accommodation based on their individual needs, risks and circumstances.
- Complete and oversee quality assurance checks with local authorities, reviewing records, support plans, risk assessments, daily records and other service documentation.
- Monitor the quality of staff practice and ensure staff are working in line with policies, procedures, safeguarding requirements and the Statement of Purpose.
- Conduct staff interviews as part of the recruitment process and contribute to assessing candidates for suitability to work with vulnerable young people.
- Complete and oversee staff supervisions, probation reviews and performance monitoring.
- Support new staff through inductions, ensuring they understand their role, safeguarding responsibilities, service expectations and policies.
- Organise and manage staff rotas to ensure appropriate staffing levels and continuity of support.
- Identify staff training needs and support the delivery and completion of staff training.
- Work closely with social workers, local authorities, health professionals, education providers, families and other agencies.
- Monitor support plans and risk assessments to ensure they reflect young people's current needs, risks and progress.
- Support staff to promote independence and help young people develop skills for adulthood and independent living.
- Ensure accurate and timely recording of incidents, safeguarding concerns, professional communications and young people's progress.
- Promote a culture of safeguarding, accountability, continuous improvement and high-quality practice across the service.
Team Leader at Upwards Care Solutions (2025-07 – 2026-05)
Led and supported staff working with vulnerable young people aged 16–18, including UASC. Provided day-to-day guidance to staff and supported them to maintain high standards of practice.
- Completed staff supervisions, performance monitoring and appraisals and provided feedback where improvements were required.
- Supported the recruitment process, including participating in staff interviews and helping to assess candidates.
- Supported new staff with inductions and ensured they understood safeguarding procedures, policies and their responsibilities.
- Assisted with staff rota planning and ensured appropriate staffing arrangements were in place.
- Supported staff with safeguarding concerns, incidents, missing episodes and challenging situations.
- Monitored support plans, risk assessments, daily records and incident reports to ensure documentation was accurate and up to date.
- Completed quality assurance checks and worked with local authorities to ensure required standards were maintained.
- Supported preparation for local authority monitoring visits and responded to actions identified through quality checks.
- Attended and contributed to LAC reviews, PEP meetings, pathway planning meetings, risk meetings and other multi-agency meetings.
- Worked closely with social workers, local authorities, health professionals, education providers and other agencies.
- Supported young people to develop independence skills, including budgeting, cooking, cleaning, laundry, education, employment and preparing for adulthood.
- Escalated safeguarding and practice concerns appropriately and ensured actions were followed through.
- Promoted positive staff practice and supported continuous improvement within the service.
Support Coordinator at Upwards Care Solutions (2024-12 – 2025-06)
Coordinated support for vulnerable young people aged 16–18, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC).
- Supported young people with age assessments and provided support around cultural, emotional, medical and placement needs.
- Led staff supervisions, appraisals and performance monitoring to support high-quality service delivery.
- Attended and contributed to LAC reviews, PEP meetings, pathway planning meetings and multi-agency meetings.
- Oversaw support planning, risk assessments and day-to-day operational needs.
- Ensured safeguarding practices were followed and that incidents and concerns were appropriately managed and escalated.
- Maintained high-quality reports, risk plans, progress updates and professional documentation for local authorities.
- Liaised with social workers, families, education providers, health professionals and other agencies.
- Supported staff to provide consistent and person-centred support.
- Promoted independence and helped young people develop the skills needed for adulthood and independent living.
Support Worker at Upwards Care Solutions (2022-10 – 2024-12)
Supported vulnerable young people aged 16–18 in supported accommodation in partnership with local authorities.
- Supported young people with their individual support plans, risk assessments and personal goals.
- Promoted independence by teaching essential life skills, including cooking, laundry, budgeting, shopping and maintaining accommodation.
- Supported young people with health appointments, education, employment, daily routines and emotional wellbeing.
- Responded appropriately to safeguarding concerns, incidents and missing episodes.
- Maintained accurate case notes, incident reports and other professional documentation.
- Provided emotional support through active listening, relationship-building and person-centred support.
- Liaised with social workers, families, housing providers and other professionals.
- Advocated for young people's needs and promoted their safety, welfare and rights.
- Supported young people to make positive choices and prepare for independent living.
Aspirant Nurse / Healthcare Support at Lambourn Grove Elderly Assessment Unit, St Albans (2020-10 – 2022-08)
- Monitored and recorded clinical observations and reported changes in patients' conditions.
- Supported medication administration and ensured medicines were provided safely and on time.
- Communicated with families and provided reassurance and appropriate guidance.
- Worked closely with nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals.
- Supported patients with daily living activities, including feeding, washing, personal hygiene and mobility.
- Carried out basic medical tests under instruction.
- Attended team meetings and contributed to discussions about patient care.
- Used de-escalation strategies to support patients who were distressed or anxious.
- Maintained accurate records and followed safeguarding and confidentiality requirements.
Healthcare Assistant at Lambourn Grove Elderly Assessment Unit, St Albans (2019-04 – 2020-09)
- Provided personal care, feeding and mobility support.
- Conducted vital signs and weight checks and maintained accurate records.
- Supported patients to take part in meaningful activities.
- Worked collaboratively with families, carers and nursing staff.
- Promoted dignity, respect and person-centred care.
- Followed safeguarding procedures and reported concerns appropriately.
