Social Worker Child Protection

CRISFORD CHOGUGUDZA (PhD)

* ******** *****, ********, **** Midlands, UK

Mobile: +447*********: Email: **********@*****.**.**

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Professional of more than 20 years’ experience in child protection as a social worker and team manager with international experience in Africa, United Kingdom, Australia and UAE. An erudite journalist/academic writer and university lecturer with international exposure. Self-motivated and reflective individual with a desire to make a positive impact. My greatest strengths are in my diligence, multi-disciplinarity, cultural competence, communication, and networking skills.

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work: Royal Holloway University of London, UK, 2017

Master of Science (MSc) in Development Studies: London South Bank University, UK, 2012

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) University of Zimbabwe – 1996

Diploma in Social Work (Dip SW) University of Zimbabwe - 1994

Diploma in Journalism and Newswriting (Dip): London School of Journalism, UK – 2008

Post Qualifying Child Care Award (PQ1): University of Birmingham, UK - 2004

Currently registered for an LLM - Lincoln University, UK (2022 – 2025)

CURRENT EMPLOYER

Associate Lecturer Arden University, Birmingham June 2022 to Present

Duties

•Lecturing in social sciences and professional communication modules

•Using technology to engage students.

•Contributing to teaching standard improvements

•Monitoring and tracking learners' achievements.

•Marking assignments and assessments as appropriate

•Providing feedback, encouragement, and support.

•Providing Students Advising, Academic and Career guidance

Project Worker : Bristol Sanctuary Services (Part Time) From Sept 2023 to Present

Screening and assessing the needs of EU migrants, mainly Roma Communities with and without immigration status.

Reviewing support plans for families who are newly arrived and ensuring they continue to fully meet the needs of vulnerable families.

Managing the transitioning of families from intensive support to independence by empowering families to understand the systems and develop the skills required to live well in the UK.

Providing support and advice in a manner which understands the core elements of the refugee journey, the impact of trauma and principles for effective recovery.

Building and maintaining collaborative relationship with partner agencies and community services to provide effective support for families. This will include; Benefits, Housing, English Learning, Healthcare and Social Care providers as well as others as needed.

Helping other agencies understand the needs of the families of this programme and to help to avoid misunderstandings between parties due to cultural and language differences.

Presenting cases to the Complex Cases Panel to explore ways of addressing issues that may present a barrier to providing support to vulnerable refugee families

Connecting families with meaningful engagement opportunities to enable them to build community connections and networks, develop confidence and learn new skills to improve their wellbeing.

Exploring cases that require support with Assisted Voluntary Return and facilitating return to countries of origin.

Attending No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) meetings

Previous Employment History

Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) United Arab Emirates: Sharjah Women’s College

Position: Lecturer/Faculty: Health Sciences Division (Social Work Dept.): Sept 2022 to June 2023

Duties

•Teaching courses classroom settings that are in line with course and program goals to meet the needs and aspirations of the students and the community.

•Developing and utilize various educational technology resources to ensure that effective and innovative instruction methodologies are employed.

•Taking a student-centred approach, providing students with individual assistance, and dealing promptly with student issues by liaising directly with the student, program supervisor and other College personnel as required

•Monitoring student progress and take actions to support student success.

•Ensuring that teaching assignments are prepared in advance and that the material is presented in an appropriate manner to support student success and Learning by Doing concept.

•Developing an awareness of and respect for the customs and cultures of HCT students and employees

•Teaching Research Methods, Social Work Courses and other Social Science Courses

•Module Leading

•Supervision of research projects, Capstone and internship assignments of students

Independent Social Worker (ISW) January 2017 to Present

Duties

Conducting Parenting Assessments

Completing Section 7s and Viability Assessments

Conducting SGO Assessments

Completing Home Office Risk Assessment Reports

Completing Human Rights Assessments

Providing Child Protection Advice

National Youth Advocacy Services (NYAS) (sessional)

Caseworker (Private Children’s Guardian) part-time Private and Public Law June 2013 to Present

Giving advice to the court about any application made to it in such proceedings.

Making provision for children to be represented in such proceedings.

Provide information, advice and other support for the children and their families.

Writing Court Reports

Completing Section 7 reports

Completing direct work

Consultancy Role; West Midlands Children’s Services Skills Department Jan 2022 to July 2022

Project Facilitator (Infant Proceedings Reduction Project)

•Facilitating the project on Infant Proceedings Reduction in West Midlands

•Conducting Literature Review on Infant Proceedings in West Midlands

•Reviewing the conduct of pre-birth assessments and Pre-proceedings meetings

•Developing and managing an online Survey on Infant Proceedings Reduction

•Liaising with stakeholders on Infant Proceedings Reduction in West Midlands

•Convening online meetings and consultations on Infant proceedings

Team Leader: Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Team Nov 2021 to Dec 2021

Warwickshire Children’s Services

•Chaired Multi-Agency Child Exploitation (MACE) Meetings

•Managed a team of CSE/CE social workers.

•Advised colleagues on CSE and contextual safeguarding issues.

•Contributed to policy on improving CSE/CE procedures.

Senior Practitioner (Locum) January 2021 to November 2021

Warwickshire Children’s Services (Strengthening Families Team)

•Undertook child and family assessments.

•Undertook child protection investigations.

•Worked with young people and youths.

•Worked with children who are sexually exploited and experiencing sexuality issues.

•Worked with other agencies on issues affecting children’s welfare and safety.

•Completed parenting, C & F, parenting, viability and SGO assessments.

•Wrote Court Statements and giving evidence in court.

•Conducted Child Protection and Child in Need Visits

•Worked with victims of family violence.

•Progressed complex and drifting cases.

Hampshire Children’s Services (Locum):

Senior Practitioner -Safeguarding Team June 2020 to Dec 2020

•Undertook child and family assessments.

•Undertook child protection investigations.

•Worked with young people and youths.

•Worked with children who are sexually exploited and experiencing sexuality issues.

•Worked with other agencies on issues affecting children’s welfare and safety.

•Completed parenting, C & F, parenting, viability and SGO assessments.

•Wrote Court Statements and giving evidence in court.

•Conducted Child Protection and Child in Need Visits

Stoke on Trent: Child Protection Team (Locum): Senior Practitioner Feb 2020 to June 2020

•Undertook child protection investigations.

•Undertook child and family assessments.

•Worked with young people and youths.

•Worked with children who are sexually exploited and experiencing sexuality issues.

•Worked with other agencies on issues affecting children’s welfare and safety.

•Completed parenting, C & F, parenting, viability and SGO assessments.

•Wrote Court Statements and giving evidence in court.

•Conducted Child Protection and Child in Need Visits

Victoria Government Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Oct 2018 to Nov 2019

Advanced Child Protection Practitioner - Child Protection Services: Melbourne, Australia

Duties

•Investigated child protection concerns and putting in place appropriate interventions.

•Provided counselling and advice to young people and their families.

•Used culturally informed practice in assessments and intervention strategies.

•Used trauma-based theories as part of practice children, young people, and families.

•Supported inexperienced and newly qualified child protection practitioners.

•Worked with members of the aboriginal communities in a culturally sensitive way.

•Conducted home visits to young people and their families on a fortnightly basis for support and monitoring.

•Provided care planning for children placed out of home with foster carers and in residential homes.

•Attended Care Team Meetings and developing culturally sensitive care plans.

•Attended Children and Family Courts and Conciliation Conferences

Project Manager: Medway Council Safeguarding Team: United Kingdom May 2018- Sept 2018

Duties

•Managed highly experienced and skilled social workers working on complex cases.

•Managed Team Budget

•Used key performance indicators (KPIs) for practice improvement.

•Provided advice to and supported less experienced team members.

•Advised senior management on strategies of work improvement.

Team Manager: Sandwell, Swindon & London Safeguarding Teams Nov 2010- April 2018

Duties

•Managed a team of between 8 to 10 social workers.

•Liaised with other professionals.

•Worked with children on child protection plans, looked after children & children in need plans.

•Attended Court sessions on Child Protection cases.

•Managed Team Budgets

•Recruited Social Workers

•Managed No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) cases.

•Managed a LAC Team

•Progressed Public Law Outline (PLO) cases

•Supported senior management on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

•Checked Social Work and Court Reports

•Chaired Child Protection meetings

•Attended Child Protection Case Conferences

Children’s Guardian: CAFCASS Luton Bedfordshire Sept 2009 – October 2010

Public and Private Law

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children

Giving advice to the court about any application made to it in such proceedings.

Making provision for children to be represented in such proceedings.

Provide information, advice and other support for the children and their families.

Writing Court Reports

Completing Section 7 reports

Completing direct work

County Council (Bluefield’s Pvt Limited): Project Consultant -Safeguarding Team: March 2008 to March 2009

Audited children social care cases

Progressed drifting cases.

Supported newly qualified and inexperienced social workers.

Contributed to practice improvement.

Social Worker (Child Protection) Birmingham and London

Children Safeguarding Teams May 2002 – March 2008

Embassy of Japan in Zimbabwe 1999- 2002

Research Officer (Politics, Defence and Economics Section) Period Employed

•Researched on general, political and economic issues.

•Advised the Ambassador on political and economic developments in the country.

•Liaised with government and non-state stakeholders on development, political & defence issues

•Interviewed leading political and economic analysts on topical issues.

National Railways of Zimbabwe

Social Welfare Officer: Period Employed 1995-1999

•Provided counselling and family casework to employed.

•Worked with abused, neglected and Aids orphaned children.

•Projected planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

•Worked with micro project holders on various developmental issues.

UNICEF (AIDS Section) Zimbabwe

Research Assistant: Period Employed: 1993-1995

•Gathered and coded information about reproductive health services for youths

•Tested Questionnaires through short surveys

•Disseminated information on sexually transmitted infections including HIV/Aids

Professional Associations

Social Work England: Qualified Social Worker - Registration No: SW22903

Skills/Competencies

Ability to use research and multiple methodologies in my work where necessary.

Ability to apply good leadership and management skills.

Ability to write clear and concise reports and present evidence in court.

Ability to apply family violence techniques when dealing with victims and perpetrators.

Ability to work in a socially diverse and cross-cultural environment.

Ability to facilitate and deliver lecturers and training face to face, online and hybrid.

Ability to communicate information both orally and in writing so others will understand.

Analytical Mindset and ability to multi-task

Ability to synthesise information and problem solving oriented.

Experience managing a Looked After Team

Experience working on Child Sexual Exploitation issues.

Experience working with young people with mental health, substance and alcohol misuse problems.

Proficient with Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Internet Skills, Outlook, Excel

Experience completing risk, parenting and viability assessments as an ISW and working for NYAS as a Caseworker (Private Children’s Guardian)

Experienced as an expert witness in court.

REFEREES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

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