Aims Cuttingo

I have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology (BSc) and I am currently working towards my online distance learning Master’s in the Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health (MSc) at King’s College London. This course is enabling me to work full-time alongside my studies. I am thoroughly enjoying the course, and as a student I am aware of recent developments in research in relation to mental health.

Between Spring 2020 and Summer 2022 I lived in London, where I worked as a Health Care Assistant in a 16-bed CYPMHS Inpatient unit for teens aged 13-18. The patients suffering from: mood & anxiety disorders; behavioural & conduct disorders; personality & attachment disorders; eating disorders; psychotic disorders; deliberate self-harm & suicide ideation; ASC and ADHD. The position was both emotionally and physically tough whilst being hugely rewarding. I gained knowledge and experience working with patients in a clinical setting and I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the wider multidisciplinary team, which I had access to every week in ward round. Every day was different and came with it's own unique challenges but it has strengthened my desire to work with children and provide support and care to those most in need. During my role as a HCA I gained competence in the use of NHS administrative software such as: RiO, Uylesses, HealthRoaster, ESR, NHS mail etc.

I am currently a Freelance Specialist Assessor working independently for The Archbishop’s School in Kent where I carried out my training earlier this year. Through my role as an assessor, I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of students administering, scoring and interpreting psychometric tests in an educational setting. I have gained experience in assisting senior members of the team by writing up reports following testing, incorporating a background of the individual, standardized scores and my interpretations and recommendations. This certificate has enabled me to become a registered Test-User for the BPS. Additionally I have completed my CPT3A certification, and have taken responsibility to assess the pupils in year 9 at Archbishops school over the summer term and apply for their access arrangements ready for their year 10 GCSE examinations. 

Prior to my role as a HCA, I worked as an SEN 1:1 TA in the early years provision of a primary school in Camden. I had a similar role in 3 different schools between 2018 and 2022. Throughout my role as a TA, I have worked with a range of children aged 3-17 with varying SEND needs both in and out of lesson. Through working within the education system, I have attended meetings with Educational Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, senior leadership teams, parents, foster carers and other agencies to discuss the targets, development and progression of individual pupils. I am now confident in my ability to use my initiative and experience to put forward new ideas and suggestions, as well as listen to the advice of professionals to implement new strategies to help support a young person.

I have experience dealing with children in a heightened state, most significantly in my recent job position where restraint was used regularly. However, whilst working as a TA I supported 16-year-old twins who had recently been separated from the rest of their family and placed into foster care. The twins were placed into year 11 of a mainstream school and struggled day-to-day. Following outbursts of anger, altercations with other pupils and general concern for their wellbeing they were removed from lessons and taught ‘functional skills’ by me, in order to transition them into a similar course at college.

In addition, I have worked with severe autism in early years and due to communication barriers, I have become very good at spotting changes in behaviour, patterns of behaviour and thus I can effectively identify triggers. I am a calm, approachable individual who can build a rapport with young people quickly. I can adapt to different needs and can be subjective. I pride myself in being able to provide comfort, a safe space, and clear boundaries in order for a child to deescalate and carry on with their day.

Finally, I have experience handling important, confidential documents. I have witnessed and contributed to the process of daily progress reports, ward round minutes, annual reviews etc. I have read through multiple Care Plans and Educational Health Care Plans (EHCPs) and have also assisted the SENCo in making sure all the correct information was inputted into the school SEND register. I am therefore able to pay close attention to detail, highlight relevant information and enter data correctly.

I would love the opportunity to work within a new team as I believe I can contribute an enthusiastic, youthful mind. Furthermore, I am seeking a position which can help me to progress in my career, giving me the opportunity to use my skills and initiative within a new team with new and exciting responsibilities.

I am currently a Freelance Specialist Assessor working independently for The Archbishop’s School in Kent where I carried out my training earlier this year. This involves administering, scoring and interpreting psychometric tests in an educational setting. This certificate has enabled me to become a registered Test-User for the BPS. 

HCA at a CAMHS inpatient unit. 

 

I have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology (BSc) and I am currently working towards my online distance learning Master’s in the Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health (MSc) at King’s College London. This course is enabling me to work full-time alongside my studies. I am thoroughly enjoying the course, and as a student I am aware of recent developments in research in relation to mental health. This course will be completed by Spring next year.