Lauristan Choy
Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara
Summary
Thorough Child Protective Specialist committed to keeping children safe and properly cared for by completing investigations and working hard to strengthen family units. Excellent communication skills with an organized and systematic approach. Ready to bring 7+ years of experience to a dynamic new role. Skilled at conducting home visits, interviews and environmental assessments. Experienced with foster care and adoption processes. Proficient in Microsoft Office.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lecturer, Youth and Community Development
University Of Guyana
06.2022 - Current
- Collaborated with faculty and staff to create meaningful learning experiences.
- Mentored and advised students to explore career pathways based and amplify knowledge, skills and strengths.
- Participated in conferences and professional development opportunities to stay up-to-date with latest trends in field.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Created and designed quizzes, tests and projects to assess student knowledge.
- Led seminars and workshops to facilitate student learning and engagement and increase memory retention.
- Developed and implemented innovative teaching strategies to engage students in lectures and coursework.
- Utilized distance learning technology to instruct students remotely.
- Conducted individual research projects to actively contribute to institution's research work.
- Assessed students' progress and provided feedback to enhance learning.
- Graded quizzes, tests, homework, and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
- Conducted engaging in-class discussions to facilitate learning and encourage participation.
- Applied innovative teaching methods to encourage student learning objectives.
- Taught diverse student population by employing various learning styles and abilities.
Foster Care Case Manager (ag)
Ministry Of Human Services And Social Security
07.2022 - 08.2022
- Completed regular visitations to check on children, families and home environments.
- Advocated for foster children by facilitating access to community resources and services to maximize safety and well-being of child.
- Provided in-home training and support to foster parents during weekly meetings to help mitigate problems arising from child behavior.
- Checked with newly placed children frequently to support comprehensive success and assimilation.
- Attended proceedings and testified for 40 reunification and permanent placement cases.
- Provided leadership, guidance and support to staff members.
- Referred clients to appropriate team members, community agencies and organizations to meet treatment needs.
- Monitored program performance and outcomes for successful delivery of services.
- Participated in community events to promote services and engage with public.
- Partnered with local organizations to expand access to social and community services.
- Developed and implemented training programs for staff.
- Created and managed budgets, efficiently allocating resources for social and community service projects.
- Coordinated with community stakeholders for successful implementation of social and community service initiatives.
Team Leader/Supervisor
Ministry Of Human Services And Social Security
01.2018 - 06.2022
- Developed a strong and consistent presence of Child Protection in the coastland and revering community o Forge positive and professional working relationships with supervisors and staff
- Create clear referral pathways and increase client referrals by
- Work Collaboratively with case managers and advocates to develop plans to respond to child abuse and neglect cases,
- manager (acting) Supervise and manage the foster care Department and collaborate with Social Workers within the districts working with foster carers.
- Planning and conducting training for staff and Foster carers
- Supporting staff with case management
- Managing the Foster Care Department Budgetary allocation
- Conducted training and mentored team members to promote productivity and commitment to friendly service.
- Managed leave requests and absences and arranged covers to facilitate smooth flow of operations.
- Evaluated staff performance and provided coaching to address inefficiencies.
PROJECT SUPPORT WORKER
LITTLE ACORN SERVICES
06.2021 - 12.2021
- (HILLINGDON& HOUNSLOW BOUROUGH, To provide advice, assistance, and support to looked after children and unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people that will support them to make a successful transition to independent living
- To assist young people to develop the skills necessary to attend to their practical, physical, and emotional needs consistently
- To act as an appropriate role model and to work closely with young people enabling them and multi-agency partners to acknowledge their achievements, address their difficulties and support them to reach their true potential
- To maintain a high quality of care and support which meets the physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and cultural needs of young people within the care of LAS
- Working to uphold the relevant legislation including the Children Act 1989 and the 2004 update, the Leaving Care Act, Children and Social Care act 2017, National Minimum Standards, and Every Child Matters.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
Research Assistant-Intern
The Commonwealth Secretariat-Youth Division
01.2021 - 05.2021
- Worked on The Commonwealth Secretariat National Youth Council and Youth-
- Attended seminars and symposiums to improve overall knowledge and understanding.
- Scheduled appointments with test subjects over phone and through email.
- Led Bodies Survey
- The project focused on helping achieve intermediate outcome of the Commonwealth Secretariat strategic plan: young people engaged and empowered to meaningfully participate in political and development processes
- It resulted in young people across the Commonwealth being empowered - socially, politically and economically to ensure equitable development outcomes, and their optimal contribution to development and democracy.
CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER
Ministry Of Human Services And Social Security
06.2015 - 08.2020
- Conduct field visits to investigate allegations of abuse and/or neglect for children at risk of harm and undertake assessments of the child and their circumstances utilizing assessment skills
- Input and maintain accurate and timely records of case information
- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
- Assisted families in navigating the social services system, including applying for benefits, accessing resources and connecting with other family support services.
- Facilitated family meetings to ensure communication and collaboration between family members.
- Intervened in crisis situations and counseled children experiencing emergencies and disruptive incidents.
- Completed comprehensive assessments of families to identify needs and develop treatment plans.
- Conducted outreach to families and other community partners to identify ways to address social, emotional and behavioral needs.
- Collaborated with school personnel, parents and mental health providers to maintain comprehensive and integrated approach to student services.
- Developed and implemented strategies to reduce and prevent family conflict.
- Worked with educational team to develop Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students.
- Arranged medical and psychiatric tests to identify difficulties and indicate potential remedial approaches.
- Introduced students to concepts in algebra and reading to encourage recall of educational content.
- Coordinate with families, staff, and service providers to evaluate safety and identify interventions that can reduce risks of children
- Broaden Verbal and written communication skills through using a strength-based approach when engaging families to assess their individual and collective strengths and need
- Prepare documentation, present information, and make recommendation to the Children’s
- Court and family court in Guyana and other relevant court
- Knowledge and understanding of the Child Protection Act 2019
- Managed evolving caseload of 200+ cases
- Deliver information to children, families and carers and service providers on procedures, practice and guideline and legislation and provide advice and case consultation on reports regarding child safety and wellbeing and the role of Child Protection in those Matters.
- Visited homes, inspected surroundings and interviewed family members.
- Maintained case records and legal documentation.
FACILITATOR-Part Time
USAID
06.2017 - 01.2019
- CRIME PREVENTION- USAID
- Contributed to training law enforcement officers, Community Policing Groups in
- Social Crime Prevention using the USAID Social Crime Prevention Manual
- Used diverse teaching materials and motivational approaches to reduce learning gaps and instruct students.
- Planned and facilitated Social Crime Prevention workshops in accordance with USAID YIERP curricula, employing varied methods to maximize attendance.
PERSONNEL CLERK
Regional Democratic Council
07.2008 - 06.2014
- GENERAL, REGIONAL DEMOCRATIC COUNCIL, REGION 6
- Prepare documentation for teachers in Nursery, Primary and Secondary to paid upgrade
- Prepare regional budget for secondary school teachers and deduction of salary.
- Operated records databases, maintained files and investigated and corrected discrepancies.
- Resolved issues with time, leave and attendance.
- Provided information and answered questions via in-person, telephone and electronic means.
- Initiated and maintained personnel and employee-related files and records and established archives to support internal audits.
- Facilitated employee termination process and performed employee exit interviews to relay pertinent information to appropriate personnel.
- Conducted full-cycle recruitment to meet company staffing goals and maintain effective business operations.
- Assisted supervisors with employee performance management and offered recommendations for approach and process.
- Responded to employee inquiries regarding benefits and other HR topics.
- Scheduled and coordinated interviews between hiring managers and potential candidates.
- Set up orientations and initial training for new employees.
Education
Post Graduate Diploma in Higher Education - Higher Education
University of Gyana
Georgetown-Guyana12.2024
Master of Arts - Children,Youth And International Development
BRUNEL UNIVERSITY
Uxbridge-West London12.2021
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE DEGREE - SOCIAL WORK
UNIVERSITY OF GUYANA
Berbice12.2017
DIPLOMA - SOCIAL WORK
UNIVERSITY OF GUYANA
Berbice-Guyana12.2013
DIPLOMA - PUBLIC MANAGEMENT
UNIVERSITY OF GUYANA
Berbice-Guyana12.2011
Skills
- Case Management and report writing
- Community Mobilisation
- Programme Development
- Crisis Intervention
- Workshop Facilitation
- Stakeholder Engagement and Mapping
- Capacity Building
- Public Speaking
- Leadership
- Effective communication
- Cultural competence
- Organization
- Time management
- Collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Lesson Plan Creation
- Lecturing
- Research
- Conflict resolution
- Adaptability
- Professional development
- Critical thinking
- Self-motivation
- Active listening
- Emotional intelligence
Accomplishments
- USAID Master Trainer Positive Youth Development and Trauma-Informed
- Chevening Scholar
- Best Graduating Student-Bachelors Degree Social Work
- Balram Shane-Best Graduating Student Diploma Social Work
- Guyana Youth Representative to Youth Resilience Conference in Tunisia
- Guyana Youth Representative Commonwealth Extreme Violence Trainer of Trainers in Human Rights
- Valedictorian 2004-New Amsterdam Technical Institute
Affiliations
Leadership Capacity
Guyana Chevening Alumni Association (Committee Member)
Certification
- Technology In Education, ABE- 6 weeks
- Safeguarding Children16-25 England and Wales, NSPCC- July 2021
- Advance Community Mediation Training - 2018
- USAID: Social Crime Prevention
Timeline
Foster Care Case Manager (ag)
Ministry Of Human Services And Social Security
07.2022 - 08.2022
Lecturer, Youth and Community Development
University Of Guyana
06.2022 - Current
PROJECT SUPPORT WORKER
LITTLE ACORN SERVICES
06.2021 - 12.2021
Research Assistant-Intern
The Commonwealth Secretariat-Youth Division
01.2021 - 05.2021
Team Leader/Supervisor
Ministry Of Human Services And Social Security
01.2018 - 06.2022
FACILITATOR-Part Time
USAID
06.2017 - 01.2019
CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER
Ministry Of Human Services And Social Security
06.2015 - 08.2020
PERSONNEL CLERK
Regional Democratic Council
07.2008 - 06.2014
Post Graduate Diploma in Higher Education - Higher Education
University of Gyana
Master of Arts - Children,Youth And International Development
BRUNEL UNIVERSITY
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE DEGREE - SOCIAL WORK
UNIVERSITY OF GUYANA
DIPLOMA - SOCIAL WORK
UNIVERSITY OF GUYANA
DIPLOMA - PUBLIC MANAGEMENT
UNIVERSITY OF GUYANA
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