Gemma Blackford

I have experience as a support worker working with many different people who are vulnerable . 

I have experience of working with people who are homeless and have also worked with adults who are suffering with addictions issues and supporting people into rehab 

Also have experience of working in gp surgeries and managing my own caseloads and working with other proffessionals and raising safeguarding when needed 

I feel very passionate about supporting people and believe that everybody deserves a chance 

I currently work as a social prescriber for the nhs . This role includes supporting people with social issues that they may have such as mental health and housing issues and building confidence in a surgery setting. This has involved managing my own case load and building professional relationships with other services

Work experience
Recovery Worker
Turning point 
Bury St Edmunds 
Supporting adults in Recovery from addiction issues . Supporting them with rehab applications and  reduction plans as well as housing issues and supporting with benefits and life skills also attending MDT meetings when needed and safeguarding meetings when needed 
Support Worker
Pivotal - Bournemouth
October 2018 to October 2021
Supporting adults with mental health issues and addiction issues with everyday life skills and supporting the clients with applying for benefits and supporting them with appointments and engaging with other teams such as probation and drug and alcohol specialists

Support worker
Willowbeech - Bournemouth
July 2013 to October 2018
Supporting four adults who are on the autistic spectrum in a residential setting .Supporting the young adults with personal care and daily living skills as well as organising activities and attending meetings when necessary

Team Leader
Lifeways Community Care - Bournemouth
June 2015 to February 2016
Supporting a team of staff to support two men with learning difficulties

Support worker
Willowbeech - Bournemouth
2009 to July 2013
Supporting adults with learning difficulties and challenging behaviour move from hospital unit settings into their own homes. My role includes being a lead with health and safety and providing the rota for the team. My role also includes support with personal care, daily living skill, access to the community, budgeting, supporting with cooking and cleaning.
Senior Support Worker
Solar Care
2006 to 2009
Supporting adults with learning difficulties, physical difficulties and challenging behaviour to live their lives the way that they want to. My role included supporting the team to provide the support by providing supervisions .Also to organise rotas for the service and be a keyworker to one of the residents and build up good relationships with the resident’s families and organise and attend hospital and any other appointments where input would be necessary

Senior Support Worker
Mencap
2002 to 2006
Supporting Adults in a residential setting with learning difficulties and physical difficulties to support the person with everyday living and life skills as well as completing supervisions and inducting new members of staff

Education

Basildon Community Centre
1998 to 2001

Thorpe Bay High School and sixth form - Essex, UK
 

9 GCSE’S 
NVQ LEVEL THREE IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 
BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE STAGE 1 
First Aid 

Health and Safety 

Substance misuse