Jo Simms Email & Phone Number

I have worked within the youth and community industry for over twenty years. Initially within a large regeneration project based in Walsall engaging with communities in order to empower local people to develop the skills and knowledge needed to progress. I worked supporting a board of local volunteers along with the local community and voluntary sector. It was part of this role that my passion for working with young people developed. I was able to work on a number of projects, in local primary and secondary schools, along with carrying out youth work in the local community, in youth clubs, but also detached youth work, engaging with the most hard to reach young people. It is during this time that I developed my passion for working with those young people who came from some of the most disadvantaged backgrounds. The most recent six years within the education sector have involved working within further education. Over the course of this time I have been lucky enough to work within a broad range of areas allowing me to get a good understanding of the whole educational experience within FE. Initially working within the classroom, supporting some of our most vulnerable learners with their academic and emotional support needs and then progressing into the role of pastoral mentor. Here I developed my skills, knowledge and experiences around safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults. I liaised closely with external agencies, attending Child Protection Conferences, Child In Need and other associated support meetings along with working closely with our Looked After Learners, including completion of Personal Education Plans.My most recent role as Careers Coordinator is allowing me to use my engagement skills to work with a range of learners, staff and external companies to raise the aspirations of learners at South Staffordshire College. Giving them the skills, experiences and knowledge to make informed and positive choices for their future. This is a new role and one that I am determined to make a difference to. I am looking forward to the exciting and ,I am sure at times, challenging times ahead, as I adapt to and continue to learn new skills.