9 March 2017
Star Apprentice: Support worker Chantelle Rotherham
Chantelle Rotherham, age 34 from Hanley, works as a support worker to young people preparing to make the transition from living in a care home to living independently as adults. Her role at Above n Beyond supported accommodation in Newcastle-under-Lyme involves helping to look after two young people, age 16 and 18.
Prior to starting work at Above n Beyond over 2 years ago, Chantelle had an extremely varied career history. She started working life as a presenter and behind-the-scenes team member at Signal Radio, before going on to work in interior design and soft furnishings at Inside Right and working as an administrator at a housing association. She has also visited Africa to carry out charity work with Homeless International, ran a youth centre for ethnic minorities and has worked in respite care.
Chantelle has just completed an Advanced Apprenticeship in Children’s and Young People’s Workforce with Acacia Training, specialising in residential care. She says: “I’ve had a lot of different jobs in the past but throughout, what I really enjoy is working with children and young people. I find it extremely rewarding to be able to support those who have had such a difficult start in life.”
Chantelle’s assessor, Katie Brown of Acacia Training, nominated Chantelle as a Star Apprentice, saying: “Chantelle has excelled on her course and achieved her qualification on target. Chantelle didn’t believe that she would ever be able to achieve anything like this, but she gave 100% dedication and exceeded all expectations.”
In turn, Chantelle describes her assessor as “phenomenal – very organised, punctual, encouraging and incredible to work with.” She explains: “I have a little boy who will soon turn five – and combining work with being a parent, running a home and studying this qualification has sometimes been a logistical challenge. Katie has always been there to say ‘You can do it – and made sure that I do.”
Above N Beyond manager Jillian Taylor adds: “Chantelle finds it very easy to develop relationships with young people. Apprenticeships provide our staff with vital knowledge and understanding and it is great that the qualification she has studied with Acacia Training has been specific to the work we do with young people leaving care.”
Talking about the benefits of Apprenticeships, Jillian says: “Apprenticeships provide a valuable opportunity for our staff to improve their knowledge, motivation and skills and all our young people benefit from that improved knowledge. Apprenticeships bring a level of professionalism to the caring role that enables staff to feel valued, skilled and effective in their work.”
Acacia Training provides Apprenticeships, work-based training and short courses for new employees or those already working in the care, childcare and health and social care sectors. Contact us to find out how.
New to the sector and looking for an Apprentice role? We are teaming up with HC-One to recruit to a host of new apprenticeship vacancies across the East and West Midlands.
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7 March 2017
Star Apprentice Sarah Brandrick: Sarah’s caring nature
44-year old Sarah Brandrick had worked for a pharmaceutical company as well as volunteering in a school and working as a care assistant, prior to becoming a residential support worker at Hopedale residential special school in Staffordshire.
Hopedale combines a residential care home for 7 to 17 year olds with a special school on site. Both facilities are graded outstanding by Ofsted. The setting provides a therapeutic environment for looked after children who suffer from emotional, behavioural, and mental health issues.
Sarah’s role as a residential support worker involves works with up to fifty children in a number of different ways. She provides care and nurturing support for the children she looks after, including organising and running activities and clubs, companionship, keywork sessions and supporting contact with family members. Sarah is currently a key worker to a child, which involves taking an active in role in that child’s life just as you would as a parent.
Sarah comments: “I grew up in Birmingham, in the middle of the city in a care home. I was adopted by a wonderful family, even though I found it very hard to adapt to. I want to show the children in care that there is light at the end of the tunnel – it’s all about nurturing and caring for them and I find it very personally and professionally rewarding.”
Hopedale has regulations in place which mean that all staff must complete a level 3 NVQ. Sarah is completing the Level 3 Apprenticeship in Residential Childcare with Acacia Training, which is an advanced qualification equivalent to A Levels. It combines the NVQ with other important qualifications such as functional skills – English, maths and ICT.
Clare Ratcliffe, Manager at Hopedale, explains: “I interviewed Sarah for a job here almost a year ago now. She was really keen to do the qualification and have a career change. She felt strongly that her own life experiences meant that she could contribute to the children that we look after and had the skills needed to work with challenging behaviour. I must say she was absolutely right! She makes an exceptionally positive contribution to the children and young people she works with – they all think she is fabulous and they respond very well to her.”
Claire adds: “Many of the children here come from very difficult and upsetting backgrounds. Sarah’s own life experience means she offers a lot of natural insight into the correlation between what the children have been through in the past, and their behaviour and experiences. Her natural empathy combined with the education she has gained as a mature learner completing the Apprenticeship, are the perfect combination.”
Sarah’s assessor, Nicki Blasé, of Acacia Training, says: “When Sarah first started her apprenticeship, she hadn’t been in education for a while and she originally lacked confidence in her ability to succeed on the qualification. Initially, she needed a lot of support and reassurance but she is very conscientious and has tackled every task with vigour. She is determined to achieve in her role.”
Acacia Training provides Apprenticeships, work-based training and short courses for new employees or those already working in the care, childcare and health and social care sectors. Contact us to find out how.
New to the sector and looking for an Apprentice role? We are teaming up with HC-One to recruit to a host of new apprenticeship vacancies across the East and West Midlands.
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