Rachel

Rachel has an outgoing personality and a lack of confidence was not an issue. However Rachel struggled to act appropriately in certain situations and could revert to juvenile and petulant behaviour which highlighted an immaturity and inability to accept 'rules' of the workplace. It was highlighted to her by her Keyworker and Employment Liaison Officer that a placement would not be possible unless she addressed her attitude.

Rachel had considered a career working with children as part of her 'development' so it was suggested that she start working in Helm's new 'learning crèche' which forms part of Helm's vocational training project, LIVE It! Rachel was instantly a hit with the children who responded to her warm open personality and playful nature. With her new-found confidence and determination to take forward a career in childcare she realised the importance of getting a work placement and 'turned over a new leaf'' and demonstrated what a successful placement candidate she could be.

Rachel completed her training at the crèche and started a placement at Wonderland Nursery in Dundee which she thoroughly enjoyed. She then moved to another nursery, Oranges and Lemons and has now successfully gained a position in that nursery which she has now been working in for several months and is already working towards her SVQ Level 2 in Childcare. Having access to training in the crèche enabled Rachel to experience a career that she had only tentatively thought about and which gave her the focus to pursue - which she has now done successfully.