Sarah Semper has over 7 years of experience as a child counselor working with troubled children and families. She has held several roles at Kids Company including team leader, mental health coordinator, child counselor, family support worker, and assessment worker. She has qualifications in child counseling, therapeutic arts, and the emotional needs of children. Her experience includes working with issues like abuse, mental health problems, domestic violence, and more.
1. Sarah Semper Curriculum Vitae
07538941031/ serahmk@yahoo.co.uk
D.O.B. 10/12/1981 Address: 7 Ewart Road, Chatham, Kent. ME4 6LA
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
A fully qualified Child Counsellor with over 7 years of intensive experience with troubled
children and families, I am currently temping in one-to-one and group work with complex
special needs children involving non-verbal and behavioural issues.
Feb 09 – Aug 2015 KIDS COMPANY
I began voluntary work for KC in 2008 but was soon asked to work full-time. My work has
been with children of all ages, initially focused on the early years. I am familiar in dealing
with children, parents and families, involving emotional and physical abuse, mental health
problems including ADHD & Autism, domestic violence, immigration issues, and was a
member of KC’s “Right to Health Panel”, a small group of professionals giving advice to
Keyworkers about the most complex cases. In addition to my professional qualifications (see
below) I have undertaken many training courses with KC including Therapeutic Childcare,
Trauma Effects on the brain, ADHD, Child Protection, and Immigration issues. The
responsibilities and scope of my work have increased over time as shown below:
Team-Leader/Keyworker , Secondary School, Brixton, London Nov 2013-Aug 2015
Team-Leading by example keyworkers and support staff, I had a complex caseload working
with the school’s most vulnerable children and their families. Most of my clients were
known to social services and at risk of exclusion. Focusing intensively on them and their
families I helped them communicate more effectively and decide on their best choices. I also
worked closely with the Child Protection Team and the school SENCO, as well as Social
Services, Housing and the local Hospitals to further support the children and their families.
Co-ordinator Head Office Mental Health Team Jan-Nov 2014
Sourcing the most “fruitful” referral pathways for clients with complex mental health needs
and then allocating them thereon, including to statutory services where indicated. Working
closely with psychiatrists re diagnosis of clients and enabling them to access medication,
GP’s, and other professional services.
Senior trainee Child Counsellor in Kids Company’s Schools Programme 2011 – 2015
2. For over two years I have been giving therapeutic counselling one day a week to three
children aged 6-10 in a local primary school, liaising closely with parents, teachers and other
KC professionals.
Child Protection Team – Family Support Worker 2012 – 2013
Working with clients who have children on the Child Protection Register. Providing outreach
and day-to-day support to high risk mothers and children, and working closely with social
services concerning clients at risk of having their children removed.
Duty Assessor – Assessment Team 2011 – 2012
Undertaking complex daily assessments of new referrals (children and families) wanting
support and help. The assessment lasted around 1.5 hours in which the client was
encouraged to disclose as much as possible. I would record all the details relevant to KC’s
assessment, and then channel them into appropriate therapy and support either with
myself or other KC professionals.
High Risk Outreach Worker – Gang Prevention Street Team 2010 – 2011
Meeting with actual or potential gang members in some of the most deprived estates in
South London. Encouraging and empowering them to think of leaving the gang lifestyle, and
devising practical strategies to do so, sometimes involving police protection or even leaving
the area to avoid gang reprisals.
Keyworker 2009 – 2010
Supporting and empowering vulnerable clients mentally and emotionally on a daily basis.
Accompanying them to GP visits or meetings with the statutory services in an advocatory
role for the client and children. Preparing budgeting and parenting action plans.
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENTS:
Feb 08-Feb 09 Damac Properties UK Ltd - Sales Consultant, Oct 06 – Feb 08 Chard Estate
Agents – Lettings Negotiator, Feb 03 – Jun 06 Wates Residential Estate Agents – Lettings
Negotiator, Jan 02 – Feb 03 Moss Bros (retail clothing) - Head Office Administrator, Aug 00 -
Jan 02 - Escada UK (Designer Fashions for Women) - Buyers Assistant
RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Advanced Diploma in Professional Development: The Therapeutic& Educational
Application of the Arts.
The Certificate in the Emotional Needs of the Child.
The Diploma in Child Counselling.
3. All the above under the auspices of “The Institute for Arts in Therapy & Education”,
London Metropolitan University.
My first voluntary work with children was as a Children’s Counsellor with Camp Timber
Trails, Connecticut, USA (Summer06), working with children from deprived or socially
unstable backgrounds, many with ADHD, autism, and stress/trauma-related conditions. I
helped with daily activity programmes including general counselling for the little ones. I
discovered I could connect with and help them to some degree, and this confirmed my
desire to work with troubled children as soon as I was able.
.SECONDARY EDUCATION: The Godolphin School, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England 1992-98.
9GCSE’s: Eng. Lit. B, Eng. Lang. B, Maths D, History D, Geography C, Biology B, Drama &
Theatre Arts B, French B, Art B. Tauntons College, Southampton, England 1998- 2000. 3 A
Levels: Eng. Lit. C, Art & Design C, Dance C.