Lavina is now a care assistant at Stoke House Care Home
; Posted on May 10, 2010
“I couldn’t wait to get started. I would like to use my new job as an opportunity to complete the NVQ in Health & Social Care Level 2 and Level 3.”
It wasn’t until Lavina Mcpherson, 22, from Radford, met with her Jobcentre Plus Adviser that Lavina heard about the Young Person’s Guarantee for Health & Social Care. After discussing the eligibility requirements, Claire, from Station Street Jobcentre Plus, booked Lavina in for a pre-talk at Care Training.
Lavina attended her pre-talk and arranged to start the programme on 1 February 2010. Lavina felt the health and social care programme was a suitable step to pursue her planned career into the care industry. Lavina says, “I recognised that the programme would give me knowledge and experience for the future.”
Throughout the 12 week health and social care programme Lavina completed a range of vocational training sessions to prepare her and give her the skills required for the care industry. She completed short courses in First Aid along with Communications in the Care Home. Lavina also completed employability skills workshops to support her in searching for a job in care. This included Letter Writing, Body Language Skills and Confidence Building.
When Lavina heard about the vacancy at Stoke House Care Home for a care assistant she applied for the position utilising her new found knowledge in letter writing and filling out application forms. When she was offered an interview Lavina knew that she could enter the interview with confidence, knowing that she had the underpinning knowledge for the position.
Lavina was successful at the interview and was offered a full time position at Stoke House in April 2010. She will be supporting their elderly service users, with duties such as personal care.
Whilst she was waiting for her CRB check she commenced her training with her new employer and completed the moving and handling training, so that as soon as her CRB check was completed she could start employment.
Lavina says, “I couldn’t wait to get started. I would like to use my new job as an opportunity to complete the NVQ in Health & Social Care Level 2 and Level 3 .” (Note: NVQs now replaced by the QCF Diplomas)
Ultimately Lavina would like to go to university to complete nursing training then move into midwifery.
Of her time with Care Training Lavina says, “It was good – I gained a lot of useful tips to help me find work. The advisers were a big help.”
Clair Crofts, Lavina’s adviser at Care Training, is extremely happy for Lavina. Clair says, “She’s a hard working girl who attended the training everyday that she was timetabled to. Not once did she moan or groan. She wanted a job and she put her heart into finding one.”
