Thozama Zicina

Registered Social Worker with experience in older people's community mental health, adult social care, safeguarding, and multidisciplinary working. Skilled in managing complex caseloads, undertaking comprehensive assessments, coordinating person-centred care, and supporting individuals with complex mental health needs. Experienced in applying the Mental Health Act 1983, the Care Act 2014, and safeguarding legislation to promote independence and improve outcomes for vulnerable adults.

Committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based practice while working collaboratively with service users, carers, healthcare professionals, and partner agencies.

Registered Mental Health / Social Work Practitioner - East London NHS Foundation Trust - Community Mental Health Team (Older People) & Inpatient Wards

(2023-09)

• Manage a defined caseload across both community and inpatient settings, delivering consistent, high-quality care aligned with professional standards and agreed objectives.
• Provide guidance, supervision and support to junior staff, students and new practitioners, contributing to their professional development.
• Ensure all work meets national targets, legal requirements and trust policies, including the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended), Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act and NICE guidelines.
• Uphold equality, diversity and person-centred values in all practice, ensuring services are responsive to local needs and individual preferences.
• Coordinate daily activities, prioritise workloads, and contribute to effective team organisation and workflow.
• Build trusting, collaborative relationships with service users, carers, families and multi-agency partners to ensure people are fully involved in their own care.
• Carry out comprehensive holistic assessments of needs, risks, strengths and circumstances for people with complex mental health conditions.
• Develop, implement and regularly review tailored care plans, adjusting approaches as people's needs change.
• Lead on safeguarding, identifying concerns promptly and implementing robust measures to protect vulnerable people from harm.
• Deliver trauma-informed support and crisis intervention, helping people manage acute episodes and maintain safety.
• Use accurate Mental Health Clustering to match people to the right level of support, and ensure smooth handovers between inpatient and community care.
• Support people during admission, acute treatment and recovery; contribute to discharge planning and safe transition back to community support.
• Conduct home visits, clinic reviews and outreach work; support people to maintain independence in their own homes.
• Work seamlessly with psychiatrists, nurses, OTs, GPs, housing teams, social care and voluntary services to deliver joined-up care.
• Provide information and guidance to families and carers, helping them understand conditions and access support.
• Support people with co-occurring needs including substance use, hoarding, housing instability and financial difficulties; make timely referrals to specialist services, housing support and community resources.
• Facilitate group work and peer support opportunities where appropriate.
• Maintain full, accurate, timely and confidential records, reports and documentation in line with data protection and trust standards.
• Reflect regularly on practice, attend supervision, and update knowledge and skills to deliver evidence-based care.

Assistant Social Worker - West Suffolk County Council - Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

(2022-07 - 2023-07)

• Held allocated case responsibility, delivering person-centred support under professional supervision, and working fully in line with council policies, procedures and legal requirements.
• Carried out asset-based assessments and reviews, identifying people's strengths, needs and existing support networks to shape appropriate care.
• Worked within budget frameworks to deliver value-for-money solutions that meet people's needs effectively.
• Provided clear, helpful advice on welfare benefits, financial support and funding options.
• Developed skills alongside Occupational Therapists to assess functional ability, focusing strongly on reablement and helping people maintain or regain independence.
• Advised on daily living equipment, home adaptations, assistive technology and digital care solutions.
• Designed, implemented and reviewed Short Term Enablement Plans, Support Plans and Personal Budgets, working creatively with people and carers using the Strengths-Led, Care and Compassion (SLCC) model to find flexible ways to meet needs.
• Supported individuals and families to make difficult decisions about their future, empowering them to lead the process wherever possible.
• Participated fully in team systems including duty rotas, buddying arrangements, and responding promptly to urgent or priority cases.
• Shared knowledge and good practice with colleagues, contributing to continuous team development.
• Attended regular supervision, team meetings and training to keep skills up to date.
• Built strong working relationships across health, housing, voluntary services and other agencies to deliver joined-up support.
• Developed trusted, respectful relationships with service users, acting as their advocate to ensure their voice and preferences were heard.
• Supported people experiencing anxiety, low mood or emotional distress, helping them navigate complex practical and personal challenges.
• Signposted and referred people to community groups, activities and local resources to help them stay connected and active in society.
• Provided information and guidance to families and carers to help them understand available support.
• Maintained accurate, timely and confidential case notes, assessment records and reports in line with data protection and council standards.

Master's Degree - Anglia Ruskin University (2021)

Bachelor of Arts - Public Health and Health Promotion - University of East London (2019)