GERALDINE MC LAUGHLIN
Buncrana
Summary
Dedicated, reliable, flexible, loyal hard worker with a vast knowledge of working with vulnerable people, a wide range of skills and a keen ability to learn.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Needs Assistant
St Orans NS
05.2021 - Current
- I ‘sub’ on a weekly basis in St Orans NS and have been doing so since May 2021. During this time, I have covered a maternity contract, job share contract and additional contracted hours for E.A.L students.
- I have experience in the following; preparation and tidying up of classroom, escorting pupils, working 1-1 with individuals who require extra assistance, assisting with personal care, assisting the teacher with supervision of pupils during breaks, recreation, assembly etc. record keeping and report writing and a range of other duties assigned by the principal or class teacher.
- I have also covered July provision in Scoil Iosagain working 1-1 with students with multiple and complex needs, escorting them on day trips, assisting with personal care and feeding and implementing their pecs schedule.
- The role of a special needs assistant can vary and hence I am flexible in my role and adaptable to different situations. I really enjoy this role and I feel I have gained valuable experience in working with children with additional needs.
Secretary
St Oran’s National School
Buncrana
09.2020 - 05.2021
- I covered a maternity contract as secretary in St Oran’s National School. In this role I was able to develop effective working relationships with staff and students. This role has also given me insight into the workings of the school and the day-to-day activities that occur for staff and pupils.
- I thoroughly enjoy working in the school. During this time, I completed my Special Needs Assistant course QQI Level 6 receiving a distinction.
Senior Support Worker
Apex Housing
L’Derry
07.2003 - 09.2020
- In my previous role as Senior Support worker, I worked in Foyle Valley House which was a scheme for homeless women with alcohol dependencies. In this role I used a client centred approach to meet their individual daily needs.
- Together with the client and liaising with outside agencies we used a multi disciplinary approach to devise the care plans ensuring they were client focused and working with the SMART objectives so that the client could achieve their needs. This role led me to be passionate about promoting the individual’s independence and self awareness and led me to develop good working relationships with the client.
- As senior support worker I was also responsible for overseeing the care plans of all the clients in the scheme to ensure they were client focused.
- I have completed a wide range of training within my years at Apex Housing to include child protection, GDPR, first aid, Level 5 Leadership and management in health and social care, care plan training, abuse of vulnerable adults to name a few.
Education
Distinction in Special Needs Assisting QQI Level 6 -
12.2020
Distinction in QCF Level 5 Leadership and Management - Health and Social Care
09.2015
HND - Health and Social Care
09.2003
Skills
- Dedicated professional
- Reliable
- Strong interpersonal communication
- Loyal
- Can work well on my own initiative or as part of a team
- Adaptable in job responsibilities
- Health and Safety trained including First Aid, moving and handling, infection control and dealing with challenging behaviour
Timeline
Special Needs Assistant
St Orans NS
05.2021 - Current
Secretary
St Oran’s National School
09.2020 - 05.2021
Senior Support Worker
Apex Housing
07.2003 - 09.2020