Young Person enters a paid work placement on the Work Start Scheme

A self-referral was received from a young person from the South of Denbighshire. Participant A had completed her GSCEs in 2022 and did not want to return to education. She requested support to increase her experience and for support to find and apply for a suitable position in administration.

A face-to-face enrolment was scheduled at the participant’s closest library to her home. Participant A was NEET (Not in education, employment or training), economically inactive and living with her parents. Her barriers to employment were lack of experience and transport. She ideally wanted to work close to home so that she didn’t have to rely on her mum for lifts.

At her first appointment all the enrolment paperwork was completed, including her Work Star and an action plan of support was developed.

Her Action Plan and what was worked on together was as follows:

• Review and update current CV
• Support to apply for a Work Start Scheme position
• Support with pre-screen and interview process

The team went through a job description for an admin assistant vacancy with the Council and discussed her transferable skills for the role. The Work Start Scheme application process was discussed and the valuable in-work support element from a placement officer. Participant A informed that she would like support to apply.

Another appointment was scheduled on Microsoft Teams a few days later to complete the application form. Her CV was also updated and emailed across to her.

Participant A was shortlisted for a pre-screen interview and the team helped her prepare for the interview which took place online via Microsoft Teams and the mentor attended the pre-screen interview with her, together with a Working Denbighshire placement officer. Participant A did very well in answering all questions and was invited back for a more formal interview with the recruiting manager. More preparation for the interview took place and Participant A was successful - she has subsequently started a 12-week paid placement with the Council, within walking distance of her home. She also has on-going in work support whilst on placement. This will increase her skills and provide valuable experience for her to move onto another suitable role when her placement finishes.

Participant A said: ‘My mentor was really supportive throughout the whole process and made sure I was fully prepared with all the information I needed about the pre-screening and the interview. She helped me with practice questions and how to answer questions correctly. I do not think I would have been successful without my mentor's support.’