Chelsey, registered childminder in Leeds LS13

I am a 20 year old female, I am currently studying a social work degree.

It is very cliche but I absolutely adore children, I love reading, singing, playing games and just generally entertaining children to learn and grow.

I am looking for a job which can help me develop and further my skills in working and communicating with individuals and families. I believe personally I have qualities which are an asset when working within a team, and the attributes to provide great education and care to others. As an individual my strong points vary from- team work, being diverse, supporting inclusion, valuing and respecting others, being punctual, professional, hard working, honest and reliable.

Throughout high school I completed my first ever work experience placement, this included 50 hours of practise within a primary school. From this I then progressed on to college where I studied a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare at the Leeds City campus. During this course I completed modules such as child development from conception to 16 years, supporting children, keeping children safe, principles underpinning practise, promotions of a healthy lifestyle and environment, working with and supporting special needs, play learning and care. Upon compilation of this course in 2014 I qualified with a Distinction Star. This qualification has prepared me to work with a variety of children and families in either a supervised or non supervised capacity where my main task would be to support, aid and develop individuals educationally and personally. During my college course I obtained over 300 voluntary hours of work experience within a vast variety of statutory and private sectors, including primary schools, nurseries, day centres, crèches etc. During each placement I feel I acquired many transferable professional skills, including communication with professionals, children and families, a thorough knowledge of settings policies, procedures and legislation, a good knowledge base on planning, observations, assessment and developmental record keepings and I also have experience in the following: routine, keeping to duty, timetables and rota etc. I believe myself to be familiarised with the EYFS and primary curriculum from previous work experiences. Throughout March 2014 I completed overseas work experience for 1 month in Vienna, Austria where I practised within local city schools to teach English language, arts, music, and culture. Experience of this sort enabled me to gain culture experience, building on my ethics for diverse and inclusive working. I feel this experience also enabled me to become more familiarised with working out of 'my comfort zone' where I adapted to new legislation, policy and ways of working in a professional manner in such a short period of time. I have also gained experience working within the Leeds Local Safeguarding Children's board where I contributed to policy making, policy adaptation and interviewing for the company vacancies. During this time I conversed with a variety of multi agency professionals and took part in interviewing for the companies job perspectives. I was also able to attended various conferences and training in regards the Child Sexual Exploitation, Special Needs support and 'the voice of the child'. At my second conference I was able to design and present my own educational workshop to various qualified and experienced practitioners, including social workers, health visitors, police and educational staff.

I have currently been taking a degree at the university of Huddersfield in the subjects social work, law, psychology and sociology. During university I completed my first shadowing experience with the Kirklees Adults reviewing team and the looked after children placement team. Throughout this I gathered a generalised understanding of how social workers communicate and effectively help both adults and children facing current social issues. My modules throughout university have given me insight into law, social science, psychology, sociology, communicating with adults and self reflection.