James Spruce

Background

About James Spruce

I have had experience in various sectors. I worked in the childcare sector for 7 years from an early years educator up to a manager. I am a competent, reliable and effective administrator, skilled in confidently working with people at all levels, across varied disciplines and backgrounds. I perform to a continuously high standard, developing strong relationships with internal and external customers and assisting colleagues to exceed any time related targets. My current role is a Financial Skills Officer, I am working with a team, ensuring that we support as many vulnerable customers as possible. This is achieved both by telephone conversations as well as face to face with customers in public or in their homes. I discuss customers finances and offer debt support as well as budgeting and benefit support and help them in manageable payment plans as well as sign posting to any further places of support such as debt charities and citizens advice bureau. I am a Mental Health First Aider and I have had training in all aspects of vulnerability, this includes Samaritans, Dementia and Autism, making sure I am offering the customer an inclusive service. In a previous role I have provided statistical data and assisted the team leader with management presentations in this respect, making suggested changes where appropriate and feeding to the team. I have also assisted in writing management papers in respect of vulnerability for the regulators and for our external partners and stakeholders and attend internal and external meetings and events where appropriate to support this. I also would work on several projects to implement new system improvements to streamline work efficiently and effectively, maximising work progress and minimising the need for manual input, along with ensuring any process maps are up to date, correct and measures in place. I have previously started up and ran a dog treat business along side a full time role. I was the sole worker of the company and took part in all aspects from social media, website updates and sales along with data collection and analysing.