Saima Abbas

I am a highly motivated individual who always works to the best of my abilities and to the highest standards. I enjoy a challenge and am always extremely eager and willing to learn new skills, develop on my performance and expand my knowledge. I am highly organised, friendly, and approachable.

I am a flexible, hardworking and a self-motivated person. Being able to work as part of a team but also having the ability to use my own initiative. I am a meticulous organiser and can assimilate and analyse information quickly, and have the necessary written skills, enjoying both practical and academic learning.

I am an excellent communicator, being confident in my ability to discuss difficult topics or issues in an empathetic manner to limit the extent of distress, and to also ensure that decisions reached are in the best interests of the service user in question. I am a methodical and organised person and endeavour to record information in a timely, concise, and coherent manner. This has helped me to organise information on my caseloads, ensure that I was up to date and allowed me to prioritise my workload to enable me to meet any set deadlines.

My degree in Public Services and work experience, as a Domestic Violence Support Worker, has given me the experience and the ability to liaise with agencies, governmental and non-governmental I understand the importance of assessing risk accurately and of signposting to relevant agencies, and to be aware of early intervention. I can identify any other contributory factors such as, mental illness, drug or alcohol misuse which may have an impact on the victim and children. As well as gathering information from my own observations, I can obtain the views of other professionals who may be involved with the family such as children services, adult safeguarding services, health, education, police and other professionals, either Statutory or Voluntary, to establish if there are any concerns.

In all areas of work with victims it is important that all professionals work together to support families and safeguard children. This information then enables me to devise an appropriate safety plan. I have supported victims to access legal advice for injunctions, child contact issues, prohibited steps orders, residency orders, occupational orders, divorce, and property disputes.

I am also aware of the MARAC referral process and have attended the MARAC meeting. I welcome diversity as; I work in an area that has a high population of Black and Minority Ethnic Communities. I feel I have a good value base and knowledge of promoting equality and inclusion and reducing risk.

I always aim to reduce, undermine or eliminate discrimination and oppression, specifically in terms of challenging sexism, racism, ageism, and disablism, and other forms of discrimination, encountered by vulnerable members of society.

Full-time Benefit and Debt Adviser - The Oaks Money Advice Centre at The Blackburn Foodbank - Blackburn

(2022-01)

To provide high quality benefit and debt advice to clients via face to face, telephone and digital channels. I support clients to maximise their income and minimise their expenditures working alongside Blackburn Foodbank to ensure clients move out of food crisis.

• Prepare client's case files ready to process the relevant debt options available to the client
• Support clients by applying for benefits, attending assessments and attending court with them
• Carry out file reviews alongside the Operational Manager
• Support the Operational Manager and the Foodbanks Trustee to collect data to submit for FCA requirements needed for the debt service
• Manage own caseload, diary and manage the referrals to support colleagues with their work load
• Support new advisers via shadowing debt and benefit appointments
• Provide one to one support to input client data into the centres recording systems
• Support new advisers through the processes required to work within a debt and benefit service ensuring the correct procedures are followed
• Have excellent knowledge of the current benefit system, debt process and accessing all available grants and fundings nationally and locally
• Communicate with clients in Urdu and Punjabi if they require translating, as fluent in both languages
• Identify clients vulnerabilities and access the support for clients
• Attend local schools to speak to parents and create awareness of the benefit and debt support available to them
• Completed level four debt advice training through Community Advice Centre

Full-time NHS Call handler with Deputy Responsibilities - Cordant People - Homebased

(2021-05 - 2021-11)

Handle large volume of calls to members of the public, contacting them in connection to international travel and T3 isolation protocols regarding government enforced quarantine and isolation periods. Ensure daily follow up calls and using a in house database to update their personal records. In addition to this provide exceptional customer service.

• Communicate with service users in Urdu or Punjabi if they require translating, as fluent in both Languages
• Provide assistance to the Team leader as a deputy, ensuring support is provided to staff and all protocols are met i.e. absence, attendance, updates on a daily basis while managing own role within the organisation

Full-time Covid Tester - First 4 Recruitment - Accrington

(2021-04 - 2021-05)

Prepare stations and perform the throat and nasal swab testing procedure in line with current clinical standards, while adhering to hygiene, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

• Efficiently deliver the daily tasks and testing plan, including packing up samples, stock management, completing testing administration and procedures in line with expectations
• Maintain high presentation standards and understand legal obligations for the site
• Comply with all safety rules and procedures to always ensure the safety of colleagues

Part-time Sales Assistant - AVS RETAIL LTD - Southport

(2016-04 - 2021-05)

Assist customers to find what they want and answer queries regarding products. Good with numbers as used modern computerised equipment and specialist retailing software.

• Trained to be fully aware of security issues and following correct procedures concerning stock in relation to shoplifting, leakage and theft
• Ensure that the store was well presented as able to maintain high standards of display & visual merchandising
• Ready and able to work individually or within a team environment
• Always smartly dressed, articulate and presentable

Full-time Technical Support/Customer Services - HGS Limited - Preston

(2018-08 - 2018-10)

Provide first-line support to customers who had issues with their internet connections. The procedure included running tests to deduce the fault, through a special program.

• Authenticate routers, book an engineer if required
• Provide first-hand customer services which included an element of sales and processing refunds
• Log and action customer complaints and follow them through within an allocated timescale
• Escalate complaints to management if required

Full-time Domestic Violence Support Worker - Changing Lives - Blackburn

(2017-11 - 2018-08)

Support Standard and Medium risk domestic abuse victims. Carry an allocated case load, support victims who were experiencing domestic abuse. Work in a multidisciplinary team, safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

• Support them to reduce risk, formulate safety plans, action plans, advocate for them or promote and encourage self-advocacy
• Ensure the appropriate agencies were aware and to make referral to their services
• Prioritise workload and ensure that notes and reports were to a high standard
• Gain a clear and excellent understanding of domestic abuse to have empathy for the victims and an understanding of how domestic abuse affected the victim and children

Voluntary Role - Women's Centre - Blackburn

(2009-01 - 2009-03)

Maintain all records up to date of courses, appointments for centre visitors. Answer telephone and face to face requests accurately and appropriately. Support service users individually and in a variety of courses.

• Responsible for own time management and record keeping
• Fully aware and understood confidentiality and the protection of vulnerable adults
• Approachable regardless of ethnic origin, culture, religion

Home Visitor Volunteer - Home Start - Blackburn

(2008-03 - 2009-02)

Support families through home visiting to assist in improving family life, accessing information for families where needed. Approachable and available for early intervention in the event of a crisis within a family. Provide parents with support and advice, on the importance of routine and boundaries, providing the necessary skills to help get their child into i.e. bedtime routine.

• Share pertinent information with a co-ordinator relevant to the supporting families
• Ensure balancing confidentiality of a family with the well-being of a child within that family
• Be approachable, have a caring approach

Degree - Public Services