Lily Thompson

I have recently completed a social work masters degree. I have acquired skills to work with children and families to improve their outcomes. I have insight into theories and legislation that underpin my work. 

Having lived & worked in London Boroughs where families experience a high level of benefit dependency & where child poverty is three times higher than the national average, has given me first-hand experience of the challenges some families face. Understanding these children's' life experiences has ignited my ambition to continue my work with young people and families. 

In previous roles my practice was underpinned by legislation such as The Children's Act, Keeping Children Safe in Education & Working Together to Safeguard Children. I also support the implementation of UNICEF's Rights Respecting School, championing children's rights. In January 2024, I completed PAN London threshold training, this developed my understanding of significant harm indicators. 

I enjoy building relationships with children, listening to their wishes and feelings is something I believe I thrive at. Creating & tailoring resources means a child or young person's views can be successfully obtained and shared appropriately. I have a toolkit of inclusive resources and regularly take time explore and update them depending on the young person I am supporting. 

Completing in-depth assessments to understand risk and area of support for children is something I have done when on placement as a student social worker and as a early help and safeguarding officer, I have experienced in completing Child and Family Assessment and Early Help  Assessments. 

Keeping in-depth records is vital when working as a safeguarding practitioner, I am an organised individual who is able to keep detailed case notes and log them in a timely manner. I communicate well verbally and in written form. I can work with colleagues at all levels of seniority. 

My understanding, non-judgmental and caring attitude alongside my professional, assertive and self motivated character, I believe contributes to me being able to provide outstanding safeguarding practice. I am willing and able to work flexibly to meet the needs of children and families. 
 

Student Social Worker London Borough of Redbridge- Community Social Work Team (October 2023- May 2024)

Duties include:

• Holding cases subject to child in need and child protection plans in relation to various issues including:

Substance misuse, mental health issues, domestic abuse, disability, CCE, CSE and neglect. 

• Co ordinating multi agency intervention and being the lead professional.
• Attending and contributing to strategy meetings.
• Creating and completing inclusive direct work with children to understand their experiences.
• Responding to disclosures in line with safeguarding policy and legislation.
• Analysing information to support my practice, understand Service Users experiences and tailoring intervention to family’s unique needs.
• Building relationships with parents and young people to achieve positive outcomes.
• Assess the risk posed to families and provide interventions to manage it. 
• Escalating concerns to management.
• Ensure all case recordings are logged and up to date.
• Act as the lead professional for CIN & CP cases.
• Attend supervision to seek guidance, reflect on practice and any biases that may impact upon my work.
• Apply social work theory and legislation to inform my practice.

Safeguarding Officer/ Student Social Worker at St Paul’s Way Foundation School (September 2020- October 2023)- 

Duties Include:

• To be responsible for the school case load of CP, CIN & Early Help.
• Lead on safeguarding concerns and make necessary referrals to statutory and non-statutory services.
• Provide practical and tailored support to families that require intervention.
• Complete direct work with children to obtain their wishes and feelings at act as an advocate when necessary.
• To create and provide staff CPD on Safeguarding and relevant legislation such as Keeping Children Safe in Education.
• Ensure staff are aware of the school’s child protection policy and that it is adhered to.
• Create and implement interventions with young people
• Complete direct work with students. 
• Lead on TAF/TAC cases.
• Sign post families to local services.
• Attend multi agency meetings.
• Complete Early Help Assessment.
• Complete home visits. 
• Support students who are classed as persistently absent. 
• Prepare reports for Governors, audits and Ofsted. 
• Support the Pastoral & Senior Leadership team with behaviour management.
• Induct new members of staff in regards to Pastoral and Safeguarding. 

Monega Primary School (March 2018- September 2023)- Senior Family Support Worker

Duties Included:

• To manage safeguarding concerns- making referrals where necessary.
• To manage the school's case load of children subject to CP, CIN & Early Help plans.
• Sign post families to community resources.
• Carry out direct work with vulnerable children and their families.
• Contribute to the school's Early Help Service.
• Provide emotional and behaviour support for children.
• Support mid-day supervisors in the lunch hall and playground.
• Deliver parent partnership activities.
• Co-ordinate outreach programmes.
• Champion child protection policy and procedures amongst staff, students and young people.
• Plan, deliver and monitor staff safeguarding training in line with legislation.
• Act as a point of contact for children subject to CYPS plans/ LAC plans and Early intervention.
• Provide family support- such as employment support, financial support, parenting advice, form filling, health and wellness advice.
• Keep an accurate and confidential record of individual cases.
• Working with the attendance officer to ensure all safeguarding protocols are carried out for new arrivals.
• Completing the annual S11 form

Family Support Worker at Family Action (August 2017- March 2018) 

Duties to include:

• To offer tailored emotional and practical support to families, in their own homes and in the community.
• Provide tailored intervention meeting the needs of individuals.
• To offer a whole family centred approach to families with complex needs.
• To complete Early Help Records and support plans for families.
• Liaise with local charities to provide resources for low income.
• To provide practical help and support including, attending appointments and meetings with families.
• To advocate for children when necessary.
• Complete one to one parenting support with families.
• To sign post families to local services including but not limited to, Domestic Abuse programmes, CAMHS, 
• Money Shop, Triple P and age appropriate activities for young people.
• To regularly review and evaluate the work that is being completed.
• Chair and attend TAF meeting.
• Attend multi agency meeting with numerous agencies including Health, Education and YOT.
• Making appropriate referrals to Social Care.

Family Support Worker at Barnardos (June 2018- August 2018)

Duties included:

• Working with families and you people identifying their needs.
• To work in partnership with parents/carers helping to empower them.
• Liaising with children’s services, schools, health agencies and community based services.
• Assist families in applying for nursery funded places and school places. 
• Provide group parenting programmes as well as one to one work.
• Deliver baby massage classes as well as 1 to 1 sessions.
• Deliver Baby Yoga classes.
• Provide food bank parcels.
• Register families to the Children’s Centre
• Record all contact made with families and agencies.
• Support our Early Years team in child focused groups.
• Attend all multi agency meetings for the case load of children I supported.
• Attend regular supervisions including personal and case file supervision.
• Support parents/carer attending meetings, filling in paper work and making phone calls.
• Writing letters of support.
• Dealing with sudden, unexpected safeguarding issues and addressing them accordingly.
• Maintaining an E-Start database.
• Assisting with general admin duties, answering the phone, preparing training course and venues and diary management for the centre.
• Coordinating and facilitating events for families including fun days and seasonal events.

Teaching Assistant at St Michael’s Primary School (January 2015- June 2016)

• Preparing lesson and resources. 
• Working one to one with children or in small groups. 
• Presenting displays. 
• Supervising break-times. 
• Coordinating after school clubs. 
• Administering first aid. 
• Monitoring guided reading sessions. 
• General admin duties including photocopying, preparing letters and organising homework

Receptionist at William Davis Primary School (September 2014- Present)
Duties included:
•Assisting parents and children with queries    •Updating registers •Liaising with recruitment agencies •Assisting teaching staff with preparing resources •Composing a weekly newsletter •General office duties, photocopying, filing, answering phone calls and emails.

• Centre for Social and Economic Inclusion (Summer 2014)
• Exam Invigilator at Wanstead High School (May 2014- Present)
• Supervisor at Burnt Mill Academy (July- August 2013)
• Bar Staff at West Ham Supporters Club Staff (Nov 2010- May 2016)
• Personal Assistant at Neptune Group (December 2011- January 2013)
• Receptionist at Archant Regional (Sept 2009- Sept 2010)

University of East London & The Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation (September 2022 to present).

(Social Work MA to be completed in June 2024)

• Placement 1: St Paul's Way Trust 
• Placement 2: London Borough of Redbridge- Children's Social Care-Intervention Team 

University of Greenwich September 2010-2013

BA (Hons) Sociology- Upper Second (2:1). 

St. Angela’s VI Form (Sept 2008- June 2010)                                                 

St. Angela’s Ursuline School (Sept 2002 – June 2007)