Susanna Balzini

Compassionate and dedicated Family Support Worker and BA (Hons) Children and Family Studies graduate with First-Class Honours, with experience supporting children, parents and vulnerable individuals across family assessment, education, domestic abuse and care settings. Experienced in assessing parental capacity, monitoring children's wellbeing, supporting safeguarding and child protection processes, managing challenging behaviour, and providing practical and emotional support to families. Specialist training includes child and young people's mental health, attachment-informed practice, safeguarding, child exploitation, Prevent, domestic abuse and behaviour management.

Confident building trusting relationships with children, parents and professionals while maintaining professional boundaries, confidentiality and accurate records.

Group Facilitator – VOICE Project - Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service (NDAS) - Northamptonshire

(2024-08)

• Facilitate group support sessions for people affected by domestic abuse, providing emotional and practical support.
• Create a safe, respectful and supportive environment using active listening and empathetic communication.
• Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality when supporting individuals experiencing vulnerability.

Family Home-Visiting Volunteer - Home-Start South Leicestershire - South Leicestershire

(2024-08)

• Provide practical and emotional support to families within their homes and local community.
• Support family engagement through the Playful Family Project and community-based activities.
• Build positive relationships with parents and children using a non-judgemental and family-centred approach.

Family Support Worker - Blue Springs Family Assessment Centre

(2023-02 - 2023-10)

• Observed and monitored parent-child interactions and parental capacity within a family assessment setting.
• Contributed to assessing parents' ability to safely meet children's needs and provide appropriate care.
• Maintained objective, professional observations of family dynamics and parenting practices.
• Provided evidence-based observations and feedback to support safeguarding and child protection interventions.
• Developed professional relationships with families while maintaining appropriate boundaries and a child-centred approach.

SEN Teaching Assistant - Degree 6 Agency

(2021-01 - 2022-12)

• Provided individualised educational, emotional and practical support to pupils with complex special educational needs.
• Supported children's participation, wellbeing and learning while responding appropriately to individual needs.
• Applied safeguarding procedures when working with vulnerable children and used calm, consistent approaches to behavioural and emotional needs.
• Worked collaboratively with teaching staff and other professionals to support children's development and wellbeing.

SEN Teaching Assistant - Isebrook School

(2021-09 - 2021-10)

• Prepared tailored learning resources and implemented individualised learning activities under teacher supervision.
• Supported pupils presenting with challenging behaviours, following individual support plans and risk assessments.
• Monitored children's progress and behaviour and maintained accurate records.
• Shared relevant information with teachers, parents and Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs).

Care Learning Support Worker - Alderwood LLA

(2018-03 - 2020-06)

• Provided person-centred support with daily living activities, including personal care, dressing and mealtimes.
• Supported individuals experiencing anxiety by developing practical coping strategies tailored to their needs.
• Managed severe challenging behaviour using safe and appropriate approaches.
• Administered medication in accordance with relevant procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Supported individuals to access therapy, community activities, day trips and outdoor learning.

Customer Service Manager - Acqua di Rosa

(2009-09 - 2017-10)

• Managed front-of-house operations and supervised a large hospitality team in a busy customer-facing environment.
• Developed strong communication, organisation and problem-solving skills while working under pressure.
• Acted as an Italian-English interpreter and translator when required.

Social Theatre Project Facilitator - Teatro L'Artimbanco - Italy

(2014-10 - 2016-06)

• Designed and delivered arts-based social intervention projects for individuals with additional needs and people recovering from substance misuse.
• Adapted creative activities to individual needs to encourage participation, communication and social interaction.

Summer Camps Assistant - Campi Solari - Ponteginori, Italy

(2014-06 - 2015-08)

• Supported teaching staff in delivering indoor and outdoor recreational activities for children and young people, promoting safe and inclusive participation.

Nanny & Learning Support - Private Household - Rome, Italy

(2012-09 - 2014-04)

• Provided individualised care and learning support for children with learning disabilities, supporting fine motor development and emotional wellbeing.

BA (Hons) - Children and Family Studies - University of Bedfordshire (2022-10 - 2026-07)

Foundation Course - Systemic Family Therapy - NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust (2022-06 - 2022-06)

Level 2 Certificate - Understanding Children & Young People's Mental Health - Lincoln College (2022-02 - 2022-02)

Diploma - Goldsmith and Industrial Design - Institute of Fine Arts G. Carducci (2000-01 - 2005-12)