Kara Boley

Support Worker

450 followers

Weston-Super-Mare, England, United Kingdom

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Timeline
About me
North Somerset Business Development Lead - Mind in Somerset
Education
- SS&L
  2024 - 2024
  Awareness Course Mental Health & the Menopause Certificate
- Social Care Training
  2024 - 2024
  CPD Safeguarding - Level 3
- Second Step L & D
  2023 - 2023
  CPD Intro into Psychological & Trauma Informed Approaches
- Second Step L & D
  2023 - 2023
  CPD - Training Courses Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions CPD
  Recovery Principles, SU involvement, Professional Boundaries, Equality & Diversity, Mental Health Awareness, Managing Conflict, Vicarious Trauma, Hoarding & Self-Neglect.
- Charlie Waller Trust
  2023 - 2023
  CPD Stress Management and Supportive Relationships for Young People CPD Certificate
  A session supporting the understanding of the relationship between brain development and stress in early childhood.- The mental and physical aspects of the stress response- Different types of stress- The relationship between stress and brain development- How an emotionally responsive relationship can help calm a child and support healthy brain development- Strategies that can help to support a child to regulate and calm their nervous system
- Online Events
  2023 - 2023
  CPD Counselling - Working with Male Anger CPD
  Effective Anger Management Tools for Working with Men - James HawesAn interactive CPD session covering - Developing a greater understanding of the full spectrum of anger expression- Exploring the psychology of anger and the 5 states of anger- Learning the key roots of anger and rage- Practical therapeutic tools in working effectively with men and the different states of anger
- Charlie Waller Trust
  2022 - 2022
  CPD Building Resilience in Highly Sensitive Children and Young People Certificate
  Webinar exploring the Highly Sensitive Person concept plus techniques to build personal resilience strategies.
- Online events
  2022 - 2022
  CPD Autists in and out of the therapy room - Max Marnau CPD Certificate - Part 1 and 2
  - Language and labels- Neurodiversity and neurodivergence- Double empathy and the mismatch of salience- Cognitive and processing differences - Sensory differences- Executive function - Working with autistic clients
- Chicago Minds
  2022 - 2022
  CPD Somatic Bodywork
- Charlie Waller Trust
  2022 - 2022
  CPD The Teen Brain
- Counselling Workshop
  2022 - 2022
  CPD Introduction to Personality Disorders (Complex Developmental Trauma) in Practice Certificate
- Counselling Workshop
  2022 - 2022
  CPD Movement and Dance Embodiment
- Counselling Workshop
  2022 - 2022
  CPD Understanding and Working with Neurodiversity CPD Hours
- Counselling Workshop
  2022 - 2022
  CPD Building Relational Depth with Traumatised Clients - Kate Williams Certificate
  Building Relational Depth with Traumatised Clients - with Kate Williams
- Counselling Tutor
  2022 - 2022
  CPD Engaging with Supervision
- British Association Counselling and Psychotherapy
  2021 - 2021
  CPD Working with Soul: Creating a Trellis for Spirituality in Therapeutic Practice. CPD
  Appreciate the importance of developing a trellis for spirituality in life and therapeutic practice.Develop capacity, confidence and competence in working with spirituality in therapeutic practice.Identify ways of exploring and responding to spiritual issues with clients when they present them.Develop understanding of how spirituality can be integrated effectively and ethically into therapeutic practice.Recognise how a client’s spiritual resources may be of… Show more Appreciate the importance of developing a trellis for spirituality in life and therapeutic practice.Develop capacity, confidence and competence in working with spirituality in therapeutic practice.Identify ways of exploring and responding to spiritual issues with clients when they present them.Develop understanding of how spirituality can be integrated effectively and ethically into therapeutic practice.Recognise how a client’s spiritual resources may be of support to their well-being and recoveryIncreased knowledge of working with spiritualities in therapeutic practiceIncreased confidence in integrating spiritualities into different aspects of therapeutic practice e.g. reflective practice, supervision, energy based work, trauma and loss.Increased competence in working with the difference and complementarity of spiritualities within the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion agenda. Show less
- The Education & Training Foundation
  2022 - 2022
  CPD Prevent for Practitioners
- Forward Futures
  2022 - 2022
  CPD Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Interactive Certificate of Attainment
- Second Step Mental Health Charity
  2020 - 2020
  Short Course Mental Health Awareness Pass
  - Mental Health Conditions- Dementia- Learning Disabilities - Postive Attitudes- Reporting Concerns- Early Detection - Adapting Care and Support- Legal Frameworks, Policy and Guidelines.- Understanding Mental Capacity in Care.- Consent
- NHS and Second Step Moodle
  2020 - 2020
  CPD Health and Safety
- PCSA Learning Trust
  2018 - 2018
  CPD Safeguarding In Education
- Second Step Moodle
  2020 - 2020
  CPD DSE INTERACTIVE
- Weston Trust NHS
  2020 - 2020
  Short Course Dementia Awareness
  - Types Of Dementia - Staying Connected - Living Well
- King Alfred School Highbridge Somerset.
  1994 - 1998
  GCSE's Eleven Academic Subjects A-C's
  English, Science, French, History, English Literature, Childcare.
- Weston College
  2022 - 2022
  CPD Safeguarding and Prevent in Education Workshop
- Weston College
  2020 - 2020
  NCFE certificate Mental Health Level 2
  Certificate in Understanding Working with People with Mental Health Needs. - Good Practice as a Mental Health Worker- Mental Health Acts and Legislation - Skilled Helper
- Weston College
  2022 - 2022
  CPD Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Workshop Certificate
- Weston College
  2020 - 2021
  Access to Higher Education SOCIAL SCIENCES Level 3 - 134 UCAS points. 36 distinctions, 9 merits.
  Psychology, Sociology and Study Skills. Including Psychology Modules -Psychological Approaches Key Studies in Child Development Key Studies in Psychology Conformity and ObedienceAbnormal Psychology Psychopathology Treatments and Therapies Personal Research in Psychology: Research Project - Exploring the correlation between social media use and relationship satisfaction. Sociology Modules -Welfare and Poverty Crime and Deviance… Show more Psychology, Sociology and Study Skills. Including Psychology Modules -Psychological Approaches Key Studies in Child Development Key Studies in Psychology Conformity and ObedienceAbnormal Psychology Psychopathology Treatments and Therapies Personal Research in Psychology: Research Project - Exploring the correlation between social media use and relationship satisfaction. Sociology Modules -Welfare and Poverty Crime and Deviance Class and Stratification Study Skills Modules -Research and Referencing Presentation Skills Liner and Diagrammatic note taking Academic Writing Types of WritingEvaluation of Personal or Peer Work. Show less
- Weston College
  2021 - 2021
  CPD - Addiction Workshop Counselling Certificate
- Weston College
  2019 - 2019
  Business Adminstration Introduction
  Communication, business emails, word, excel and minute meetings.
- University Centre Weston
  2021 - 2023
  Foundation degree Pluralistic Counselling 80 credits at Level 4 (paused - plan is to transfer credits to alternative BSc)
  • Core theory and Contemporary Practice - Building a therapeutic relationship- The necessary and sufficient core conditions- Psychological contact - Challenging - Directivity and the clients context - Assessments and outcomes - Experiential approach- Immediacy - Existentialism - Phenomenology - Gestalt - Configurations of self- Boundaries and power imbalances- Gender - Diversity and Discrimination - Difficult Process- Case… Show more • Core theory and Contemporary Practice - Building a therapeutic relationship- The necessary and sufficient core conditions- Psychological contact - Challenging - Directivity and the clients context - Assessments and outcomes - Experiential approach- Immediacy - Existentialism - Phenomenology - Gestalt - Configurations of self- Boundaries and power imbalances- Gender - Diversity and Discrimination - Difficult Process- Case Studies - Fitness to practice • Personal and Professional Development - Working within an Ethical Framework- Evaluating key texts in counselling- Supervision models- Engaging with supervison- Personal and Professional Development in a PD group.- Suicide and self-harm- Study Skills- Academic writing, critical thinking, reflective writing, referencing. 80 credits - 64.2 in Personal & Professional Development - 65 in Core Theory & Contemporary Practice Show less
- The Open University
  2022 - 2022
  BACP Primer
  Online and Telephone Counselling Primer.
- Weston College
  2015 - 2016
  Level 2 Counselling Skills - Psychology Level 2
  • Active listening • Congruence• Empathy• Building a therapeutic relationship • BACP framework• Contract setting (safe boundaries)• Ethics• Counselling with a person centred approach (humanistic)• Introduction into psychoanalytic counselling • Self Analysis
- Weston College
  2017 - 2018
  NCFE Level 3 Diploma Counselling Skills Last Assessment not completed.
  - Humanistic Counselling Techniques- CBT Counselling Techniques- Psychoanalytic Counselling Techniques - Group Dynamic process- Six week case study with a student client- Developing counselling skills- Theoretical approaches in the use of counselling skills- Working ethically with counselling skills- Counselling skills and diversity- Discrimination including the Mental Health Act and the Equality Act- Counselling skills and personal development. -… Show more - Humanistic Counselling Techniques- CBT Counselling Techniques- Psychoanalytic Counselling Techniques - Group Dynamic process- Six week case study with a student client- Developing counselling skills- Theoretical approaches in the use of counselling skills- Working ethically with counselling skills- Counselling skills and diversity- Discrimination including the Mental Health Act and the Equality Act- Counselling skills and personal development. - Powerpoint Presentation 'A comparison of an ethical framework in Practice.' Missed the videotaped assessment due to mental illness in the family. Show less
Experience
- Somerset County Council
  Sept 1998 - Apr 2001
  Support Worker
  In various roles, worked with adults who have learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum conditions plus challenging behaviours, in both a supported living environment and an educational setting. Responsible for supporting and enabling individuals to live as an inclusive member of their own community.Duties included- Money Management- Personal Care- Liasing with health care professionals- Domestic Duties- Education - Leisure - Companionship
- Not for Profit
  Nov 2002 - Nov 2003
  Baby Group Volunteer British Forces Germany
  Volunteer at a not for profit baby group in British Forces Germany.
- The Navy Army and Air Force Institutes
  Jan 2004 - Jan 2006
  Retail Assistant/ Bar Staff
  Different roles in different locations, England.
- Tesco
  Jan 2012 - Apr 2017
  Initially employed as a customer assistant. (2012 promoted to the role of stock control administrator. Additional duties.) Key Responsibilities. - Dealing with all aspects of customer care such as transactions, advice and complaints. - Replenishment and cleaning of both public and staff only areas. - Daily retail routines such as waste, reductions, point of sale.- Handling financial transactions, including cash, debit and credit card payments. - Till checks. - Click and Collect services. Show less
  - Customer Service Assistant
    Sept 2007 - Apr 2017
  - Stock Control Administrator
    Jan 2012 - Sept 2014
- BPD Witch vs Life Blog.
  Sept 2014 - Sept 2020
  Content Writer
  Writer for spiritual psychological Facebook group, personal blog and Second Step Communucations team.- Coronavirus articles written and published for Second Step Mental Health Services.- Wrote 'Dear Friend' Mental health article series for Second Step's North Somerset Wellbeing Service. - Small Report published for BACP's Threshold publication.- Created and maintained websites.
- Savers Health Home & Beauty
  May 2017 - Sept 2017
  Supervisor
  Supervisor. Key Responsibilities.- To maximise key selling opportunities to achieve all direct selling targets and KPI indicators.- Enhanced till accountability.- Provide excellent customer service. - To identify customers needs and provide full product information. - To delegate responsibly. - Team coaching.
- PRIORY COMMUNITY SCHOOL ACADEMY
  Apr 2018 - Jan 2019
  Lunchtime Supervisor
  Promoting acceptable behaviour standards.Promoting healthy relationships between students. Safeguarding. Supporting students with behaviours that challenge school policies.
- FunProductsUK
  Jan 2019 - Aug 2019
  Online Retailer
  FunProductsUK - Online Retailer of Adult & Party Products.- Built FunProductsUK website.- Created the brand.- Hosts direct selling parties.- Social media marketing.
- Second Step
  Jan 2020 - Jan 2022
  Working with Second Step mental health services facilitating a ...Wellbeing cafe. Creative writing group.Stress and anxiety management course at Weston University Campus.Incorporating mental health recovery principles (IMROC) with a holistic stance using group dynamics, providing mental health support for our service users. Course subjects have included...• Stress management. • Anxiety workshops.• Assertiveness skills. • Mindfulness.• Healthy body, Healthy mind. • Positive thinking and self talk.• Building resilience and reframing failure. • Music therapy. • Peer support. • Managing relationships. Show less
  - Group Facilitator
    Jan 2021 - Jan 2022
  - Assistant Group Facilitator
    Jan 2020 - Jan 2022
- Sefton Park Rehab
  Jan 2022 - Aug 2022
  Placement Aftercare Counsellor
  Providing general counselling from a person-centred approach for people leaving addiction services.- Anxiety- Emotional Support- Relapse Prevention - Self worth- Low Mood- Anger - Emotional Intensity- Trauma bonding
- Citizens Advice
  May 2023 - Sept 2023
  Passed intial training to become a Generalist Adviser.Delivers multi-channel in-person and remote advice (telephone, email, webchat) to North Somerset residents on a wide range of issues including but not limited to Generalist adviser - Level 1 FCA accredited Debt advice - Relationships - including legislation and separation - Benefits- UC and legacy benefits- Housing- Employment - Immigration- Mental health - signposting to local organisations and Citizens Advice partner organisations. Show less
  - Generalist Adviser
    Aug 2023 - Sept 2023
  - Trainee Generalist Adviser
    May 2023 - Aug 2023
- Mind in Somerset
  Sept 2023 - now
  - To support the N Somerset Operations manager in building relationships with key stakeholders in the N Somerset area. - To support the Operations Manager in building capacity in the N Somerset area for support serviced to be developed, funded, and sustained. - Establishing and maintaining collaborative working opportunities in N Somerset with other organisations. - Accountable for the continuous improvement of services in the NS area alongside N Somerset Operations Manager. Show less - Main contact for the Community Day, responding to queries and triaging new referrals.- Support new members to be introduced to the Community Day.- Support the ongoing delivery of the Community Day by being present and ensuring appropriate cover is put in place where staff are on leave.- Plan and facilitate a range of activities for the Community Day, to include crafts, games and other engaging activities delivered by external agencies.- Promote the Community Day to partner agencies and the community to encourage referrals.- Be a confidant and support when issues arise within the Community Day.- Collect, input & collate any project data and evaluation feedback for the monthly and quarterly reports.- Develop literature to promote the project and carry out other marketing activities such as writing press releases or delivering presentations.- Assist in developing relationships with other partner agencies.- Assist in maintaining good communication and branding across North Somerset. To support with social media channels and newsletters as directed. Show less
  - North Somerset Business Development Lead
    Feb 2024 - now
  - Community Day Facilitator
    Sept 2023 - now
- Second Step
  Oct 2023 - Mar 2024
  Recovery Navigator
  - Working with a recovery-based approach supporting people to meet their individual needs.- Building a trusting and collaborative relationship with the client; demonstrating hope and courage. - Completing individual assessments that will inform the client’s recovery plan.- Supporting the client to use self-management tools e.g., Wellness Recovery Action Plan to stay well.- Using a range of interventions, approaches, and tools (motivational interviewing, active listening, navigation, solution-focused support).- Navigating the ‘wider system’ with the client to access appropriate resources.- Enabling clients to make informed decisions about their mental wellbeing, maximising their independence and providing an advocacy role if needed. Show less
Licenses & Certifications
- BACP Student Membership
  BACP
  Dec 2021