Paula Leslie

Compassionate support professional with over 20 years' experience across education, charity and community settings. I bring extensive professional experience alongside personal insight into emotional wellbeing challenges, bereavement and recovery. Skilled in building trusting relationships, emotional support, active listening, safeguarding and helping people access appropriate information and support.

I am committed to recovery-focused, person-centred support that promotes dignity, hope and inclusion.

Teaching Assistant & Pastoral Support at Harris Primary Academy Crystal Palace (2020-10 – Present)

• Building trusting relationships with children to help them feel safe, valued and confident.
• Supporting children experiencing anxiety, grief and emotional difficulties.
• Using trauma-informed approaches to support emotional regulation and behaviour.
• Providing one-to-one and small-group support.
• Supporting children with SEND including Autism (ASD), ADHD and additional learning needs.
• Helping children manage their emotions and encouraging positive behaviour.
• Using calm approaches to de-escalate challenging behaviour and distress.
• Adapting learning and communication to meet individual children's needs.
• Working closely with teachers, SENCOs and safeguarding leads as part of the school team, and communicating with parents and carers when appropriate.
• Maintaining safeguarding records and supporting children's wellbeing.
• Providing specialist one-to-one support for a child with Type 1 Diabetes, including blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration.
• Encouraging children's independence, confidence and self-esteem.

Administration Officer (Helpline, Information Service & Administration) at SpeakAbility Charity (1999-10 – 2015-09)

• Answered a national helpline, providing a patient and supportive first point of contact for adults with aphasia and other speech, language and communication difficulties, as well as their families and carers.
• Provided an information service, responding to enquiries and helping people find clear, relevant information about communication difficulties and available support.
• Used active listening and calm communication with callers who could be distressed, anxious, frustrated, isolated or finding it difficult to express themselves.
• Provided reassurance and practical information while allowing callers time to communicate at their own pace and feel heard and understood.
• Signposted callers to relevant NHS services, speech and language therapy, social care, local groups and community support.
• Handled sensitive and confidential enquiries appropriately and maintained accurate records.
• Combined helpline and information-service responsibilities with administration, helping support the day-to-day work of the charity.
• Worked collaboratively with charity colleagues and volunteers.

Operations Coordinator at CPHL (2015-10 – 2017-04)

• Coordinated daily office activities, administration and scheduling.
• Supported the smooth running of a busy office and developed strong organisational skills.

Cashier & Mortgage Administrator at Bradford & Bingley (1996-06 – 1999-09)

• Delivered customer service and handled confidential financial information.
• Worked accurately within structured banking procedures.

Childcare Assistant (Youth Training Scheme) at Sunbeam Day Nursery & Whitehorse Manor Primary School (1991-09 – 1993-07)

• Completed a two-year childcare training programme in nursery and primary school settings.
• Developed knowledge of child development, play-based learning and children's emotional development.

City & Guilds Childcare & Education in Childcare & Education

GCSEs in English and Mathematics