Sharon Walker
Perth,WA
Summary
Experienced Learning Support Assistant skilled in adapting educational strategies and promoting positive behavior. Proven ability to enhance student engagement and success through individualized support and effective communication with multidisciplinary teams.
Dedicated Therapeutic Foster Parent with a focus on child advocacy, effective communication, and behavioral assessment. Committed to fostering emotional well-being through positive reinforcement and collaborative care.
Adaptable professional with extensive experience in child advocacy and therapeutic care. Known for strong organizational skills and behavior management techniques, contributing to improved emotional and educational outcomes for children in diverse settings.
Overview
49
49
years of professional experience
Work History
Therapeutic Foster Parent
Thurrock Distric Council
06.2009 - 01.2026
- Provided stable, nurturing environment for children in therapeutic foster care.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans.
- Implemented behavior management strategies to promote emotional well-being.
- Facilitated family visits and maintained open communication with biological families.
- Monitored and documented children's progress and behavioral changes regularly.
- Advocated for children's needs within community resources and support services.
- Organized and participated in regular family meetings to discuss progress, concerns, and future goals for each child in my care.
- Cultivated trusting relationships with caseworkers and other professionals involved in supporting children's immediate needs.
- Provided consistent structure and routine, enabling children to feel secure and develop healthy habits.
- Participated in ongoing training programs to stay current on best practices for therapeutic foster parenting and enhance my skills as a caregiver.
- Collaborated with treatment teams to develop and implement individualized care plans for each child.
- Promoted positive behaviors through reinforcement strategies, contributing to the overall well-being of children in my care.
- Supported educational goals by working closely with school staff and providing necessary resources at home.
- Developed strong relationships with biological families to support reunification efforts when appropriate.
- Maintained detailed documentation of each child''s progress, ensuring accurate records for future reference and treatment planning.
- Provided emotional support to children during difficult times, offering a compassionate ear and guidance when needed.
- Facilitated smooth transitions for children entering or leaving my care by communicating effectively with relevant parties involved in placement decisions.
- Conducted regular safety assessments on living conditions to ensure a secure environment for every child placed in my home.
- Managed challenging behavior through crisis intervention techniques while maintaining a calm demeanor under pressure situations.
- Managed household finances responsibly while meeting all requirements set forth by licensing agencies, maintaining stability in the home environment.
- Addressed behavioral challenges using therapeutic techniques, resulting in improved coping skills for the child.
- Coordinated medical appointments and therapy sessions, prioritizing the health needs of each child in my care.
- Reduced problem behaviors with positive reinforcement and supportive techniques.
- Cared for medically fragile children in need of extensive support.
- Prepared and maintained individual beds and personal space for foster children.
- Transported kids to mandated therapy, extracurricular activities and medical appointments.
- Helped reunify birth families through coordinated visitation strategies.
- Offered extensive care to troubled older children without likelihood of adoption.
- Improved children's health by preparing healthy meals and snacks.
- Assisted children through recovery from difficult home or school situations.
- Supported education of children under care through consistent attendance to school and attentiveness to homework assignments.
- Taught older children about money, driving and other important life skills.
- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
- Assisted families in navigating the social services system, including applying for benefits, accessing resources and connecting with other family support services.
- Maintained detailed case histories, metrics and reports to meet strict standards.
- Intervened in crisis situations and counseled children experiencing emergencies and disruptive incidents.
- Collaborated with school personnel, parents and mental health providers to maintain comprehensive and integrated approach to student services.
- Conducted outreach to families and other community partners to identify ways to address social, emotional and behavioral needs.
- Facilitated family meetings to ensure communication and collaboration between family members.
- Worked with educational team to develop Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students.
- Implemented research-based interventions and strategies to support positive behavior and social-emotional development.
- Arranged medical and psychiatric tests to identify difficulties and indicate potential remedial approaches.
Learning Support Assistant
Essex County Council
04.2018 - 12.2025
- Provided individualized support to students with diverse learning needs, enhancing their educational experience.
- Collaborated with teachers to develop tailored learning plans and strategies for student success.
- Assisted in assessing student progress and identifying areas for improvement, ensuring consistency in learning objectives.
- Facilitated small group sessions focused on skill development, fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Coordinated resources and materials for classroom activities, streamlining educational processes and enhancing engagement.
- Advocated for students' needs within the school community, promoting awareness of diverse learning challenges and solutions.
- Promoted a positive learning culture within the school community by modeling respect, empathy, and professionalism at all times.
- Implemented behavior management techniques to maintain a positive and focused learning environment.
- Provided thorough feedback and constructive criticism conducive to positive learning experiences.
- Assisted in the implementation of classroom accommodations, such as visual aids or modified materials, to better support students with diverse learning needs.
- Participated in professional development activities to stay current on educational trends and enhance skills as a Learning Support Assistant.
- Monitored student progress through ongoing assessments and adjusted instructional methods accordingly, ensuring individual growth.
- Assisted with development and analysis of Individual Education Plans (IEP) and Behavior Support Plans (BSP).
- Coordinated with other Learning Support Assistants to share resources and best practices, improving overall effectiveness of the team.
- Provided one-on-one support to students struggling with specific subjects or concepts, leading to increased comprehension.
- Supported the integration of technology into classroom instruction, facilitating digital literacy among students.
- Completed clerical duties such as photocopying, typing and document filing to assist faculty throughout each workday.
- Provided detailed feedback to teachers and parents regularly regarding individual student progress.
- Provided supervision and guidance during school-sponsored events, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.
- Utilized various instructional approaches to accommodate different learning styles, promoting student engagement.
- Adapted teaching methods based on feedback from both students and colleagues to improve overall effectiveness as a Learning Support Assistant.
- Managed small groups of students during class activities, enabling more personalized instruction from the teacher.
- Studied and implemented various strategies in each classroom to meet needs of each student.
- Collaborated with teachers to develop differentiated instruction strategies for diverse learners.
- Prepared materials and resources for lesson delivery, streamlining the teaching process for educators.
Learning Disability Care Assistant
South Essex Partnership NHS Trust
09.2000 - 06.2009
- Delivered compassionate personal care, ensuring comfort and dignity for patients.
- Assisted in daily living activities, promoting independence and enhancing quality of life.
- Monitored patient conditions, reporting changes to nursing staff for timely interventions.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement care plans tailored to individual needs.
- Maintained clean and organized living spaces for patients, ensuring a comfortable and sanitary environment conducive to healing.
- Enhanced patient recovery by assisting with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and grooming.
- Assisted patients with mobility, transferring them safely between beds, chairs, and wheelchairs as needed.
- Improved patient comfort by providing compassionate and attentive care, addressing individual needs and preferences.
- Assisted with meal preparation and feeding, ensuring adherence to dietary restrictions and nutritional guidelines for optimal health.
Bank Care Assistant
South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
07.2000 - 09.2000
- Provided compassionate care to residents, ensuring comfort and dignity during daily activities.
- Assisted with personal hygiene, mobility, and medication management to enhance patient well-being.
- Collaborated with healthcare teams to develop individualized care plans tailored to resident needs.
- Trained new staff on best practices in resident care and safety protocols for optimal service delivery.
Sales Negotiator
Hilberry Chaplin
05.2000 - 07.2000
- Negotiated sales agreements, achieving favorable terms for clients and maximizing profitability.
- Conducted market research to identify emerging trends and customer needs, informing sales strategies.
- Built and maintained strong client relationships through effective communication and personalized service.
- Led training sessions for junior negotiators, enhancing team performance and negotiation techniques.
Care Assistant
South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
10.1998 - 05.2000
- Provided compassionate care to individuals, enhancing quality of life and promoting independence.
- Assisted with daily living activities, ensuring comfort and safety for clients.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to develop personalized care plans.
- Trained new staff on best practices in patient care and compliance protocols.
Family Care Worker
Essex County Council Social Services.
07.1997 - 10.1998
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to determine client needs and eligibility for services.
- Developed individualized service plans based on client goals and available resources.
- Facilitated communication between clients, service providers, and community organizations.
- Monitored progress of cases, ensuring compliance with regulations and guidelines.
Special Need Teachers Assistant.
Essex County Council
11.1993 - 12.1996
- Assisted in implementing individualized education plans for students with diverse learning needs.
- Collaborated with teachers to adapt instructional materials and techniques for special needs students.
- Supported classroom management strategies, fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.
- Monitored student progress and communicated effectively with parents regarding developmental milestones.
Import and Export Coordinator
Scarfe Kemp Shipping Co Ltd.
01.1978 - 06.1978
- Coordinated documentation for import/export shipments, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Optimized logistics processes to enhance efficiency in supply chain operations.
- Developed and maintained relationships with freight forwarders and customs brokers for smooth transactions.
- Managed inventory levels, ensuring availability of goods while minimizing excess stock.
Wages Clerk.
Barton Bakeries.
07.1977 - 01.1978
- Processed payroll for diverse employee groups, ensuring accurate and timely payments.
- Maintained payroll records, verifying data integrity and compliance with regulations.
- Collaborated with HR to resolve employee inquiries regarding pay discrepancies.
- Utilized payroll software to generate reports and analyze payroll trends effectively.
Education
Certificate in Therapeutic Fostering. - Psychology
Anglia Ruskin University.
Chelmsford, Essex United Kingdom01-2010
High School Diploma -
Fryerns Secondary Modern School
United Kingdom.01-1974
High School Diploma -
Laindon High Road School
United Kingdom01-1971
Skills
- Life skills teaching
- Mental health awareness
- Self-care techniques
- Positive reinforcement
- Child welfare advocate
- Satori alternative to managing aggression
- Foster care youth
- Child advocacy
- Special education
- Behavioral assessment
- Professional demeanor
- Trauma informed care framework
- File management
- Clinical documentation
- Client documentation
- Decision-making
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Effective communication
- Active listening
- Organizational skills
- Reliability
- Excellent communication
- Multitasking Abilities
- Problem-solving abilities
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- First aid and CPR
- Activity planning
- Educational support
- Patience and tact
Timeline
Learning Support Assistant
Essex County Council
04.2018 - 12.2025
Therapeutic Foster Parent
Thurrock Distric Council
06.2009 - 01.2026
Learning Disability Care Assistant
South Essex Partnership NHS Trust
09.2000 - 06.2009
Bank Care Assistant
South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
07.2000 - 09.2000
Sales Negotiator
Hilberry Chaplin
05.2000 - 07.2000
Care Assistant
South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
10.1998 - 05.2000
Family Care Worker
Essex County Council Social Services.
07.1997 - 10.1998
Special Need Teachers Assistant.
Essex County Council
11.1993 - 12.1996
Import and Export Coordinator
Scarfe Kemp Shipping Co Ltd.
01.1978 - 06.1978
Wages Clerk.
Barton Bakeries.
07.1977 - 01.1978
Certificate in Therapeutic Fostering. - Psychology
Anglia Ruskin University.
High School Diploma -
Fryerns Secondary Modern School
High School Diploma -
Laindon High Road School