Case Studies

Emma Heath

Emma began working on Pathways working communities programme in November 2008. Emma was referred to Pathway as she required support in gain confidence and improving her work skills. Emma felt very low and was spending lots of time at home as she didn’t have any focus. Emma highlighted her desire to gain paid employment but wasn’t sure where to start or how to go about it. Emma was interested in either child care or social care as a starting point.

Emma was assigned a job trainer who would support Emma while on the programme to find appropriate work experience placements, search for suitable paid vacancies, complete job application forms and work on interview skills. Emma met with her job trainer on a regular basis. Both parties were then able to form a good working relationship which meant information could be passed on and discussed professionally and worked on.

Emma also attended Pathways job club which offered Emma the chance to mix and socialise with other learners which were in similar situations. Emma could share her own ideas and experiences with other and visa versa. Emma would also have 2 – 3 experienced members of the Pathway team present to support her. Internet access, Job pages and the most recently added vacancies were all at hand for Emma to use

Emma soon began a work experience placement at a kindergarten in Lincoln. Emma would work one day a week from 9am – 3pm. Emma was responsible for preparing food and drink for break times and supporting the children when singing or playing in groups. Emma was in placement for 6 weeks, after this time Emma concentrated solely on finding paid employment; Emma didn’t want to have the same situation occur as she had before she started on the programme.

With dedication and persistence Emma started to hear back from employers. Emma was asked to attend an interview for a cleaning vacancy. This would be Emma’s first interview. Emma was nervous but exited and asked for more interview practise to enable her to perfect her techniques. Emma attended the interview and performed very well. Unfortunately Emma was unsuccessful in her first interview as she didn’t have as much experience as other candidates. Emma was disappointed but this made Emma even more focused. Soon after this Emma was asked to attend an interview for a domestic care worker. Emma was successful this time and proved that it could be done. Emma put lots of effort into gaining this position and now realises that its harder than she first thought to gain such sort after positions.

Emma is being closely monitored by Pathway by means of regular contact between her employer and Pathway to ensure that problems aren’t occurring during her important probation. Should issues arise her manager has informed Pathway that they would be in contact with us to iron them out.

Emma is said to be doing extremely well and making good progress. Emma continues to work 3 days a week. Emma has been visiting the job club now and again to offer her support and inform other learners that finding paid employment is possible.