Shona Duncan Email & Phone Number

London, England, United Kingdom

I am starting a a full time IRO for Westminster on the 17th April. I will also provide LADO duty cover along with others in the service. I expect to take my years of experience and knowledge of working with Disabled children and young people and working to safeguard young people at risk of and experiencing exploitation/ modern Slavery into this new role.

Co Chair for the Westminster/ RBKC pilot National Referral Mechanism Panel. As chair I have led, advised, challenged and helped lead decision making about vulnerable young people who are victims of modern slavery and exploitation. Have led training for various professionals about the NRM process, have updated professionals on recent threshold changes, have helped lead a session with new pilot authorities about how to prepare. Have helped review progress and feed into quarterly reports and have challenged the Home Office when required.

London, England, United Kingdom

I am a Child Protection Advisor lead for Child Exploitation in Westminster. This is a part time role but plays a crucial role in working with key partners to ensure the proper identification, intervention and support is in place to protect vulnerable young people in Westminster.

London, United Kingdom

Since leaving my role as Director of CYF Services at the Westminster Society I have started to take self employed work as an SEND consultant - / freelance EarlyBIRD Facilitator supporting families in a group setting where they have recently had a young child diagnosed with Autism.

For two years I was responsible for the running of Children, Youth and Family Services at the Westminster Society supporting Disabled Children and their families- services included play schemes, home care, a specialist and inclusive nursery, youth projects, family support work, residential trips, support for SEN Parents forums. I was the responsible lead for all children's safeguarding matters working with Ofsted and CQC and for ensuring quality training and recruitment was in place to ensure the ongoing standard of services. A huge part of my role was to work in partnership with parents, stakeholders and the Board of Trustees to keep striving to provide the high standard of services they required and expected. The role required a high degree of networking, developing new services and options for tenders and I worked in Harrow and Islington as well as across Westminster.

Westminster Children With Disabilities Team

I manage, supervise and Appraise social workers, Transitions workers and youth workers. I take a particular lead on work around Transition to Adults Services and I oversee and monitor referrals for our external specialist Play and Youth providers. I also sit on Westminsters SEN statementing panel.I regularly chair Team Around the Child meetings, Team around the School meetings, Child Protection Strategy meetings,Transition meetings with the Adults Services and play and Youth referral meetings. I oversee Assessments and Casework to ensure that work is of a high standard, timely and produces the best possible outcomes for Children, Young people and their families..

Argyle Project - Respite And Residential Care Service

I supported adults with learning Disabilities to have regular overnight respite breaks at the project, supporting them in making choices, everyday living tasks and feeling safe and happy.I also acted as a keyworker for adults who lived in our permanent shared accomodation and individual flats. I supported them around their holidays, shopping, managing money, self care, health, work, transport, education and social opportunities and around learning to maintain relationships and adapt and manage behaviours. I worked closely with Adult Care Managers, mental health services, Gps, Colleges and Day care providers.

One Year Cerificate In Management

Pq Childcare Award, Childrens Social Services.

Diploma In Social Work, Disability And Childrens Services Placements

First year placement in Childrens Centre - assessing parents and families, running parenting groups, drop in groups for parenst.

Ba Hons 2.2, English (Inter-Arts)

Education record

Certified Trainer Course, Earlybird

Three Day specialist course enabling professionals with knowledge and experience of Autism to practice as certified EarlyBIRD facilitators.