Evelina left mainstream school due to racist bullying in year 9. Evelina is a young carer, and since leaving mainstream school had received some home schooling but did not achieve any qualifications at school age.
Since leaving school, Evelina had achieved Entry Level 3 in Maths and but had no work experience. As a young carer Evelina has lots of experience doing household duties and even booking appointments for her mother. With most of her family living in Spain, Evelina and her mother have little support outside each other. So they have formed a strong bond in which they help each other through difficult times.
“She was so isolated, as a young carer”
Because of her experiences at mainstream school Evelina was very anxious about going back into education. When she first met with NUYU, a delivery partner of the CXK’s Step Up programme, she wouldn’t get out of the car and couldn’t make eye contact. She was so isolated, as a young carer, that meeting new people was very unnerving. Evelina’s age was another barrier, as she wanted to remain in education and thought her only option was mainstream schooling, which was not suitable for her.
We started engagement slowly and built up a rapport with Evelina at a time when she was most vulnerable, following COVID lockdowns. Through some 1-2-1 sessions with tutor and support staff where she talked about her career options. We then created a CV and learned how to apply for jobs online. She engaged fully with the regulated learning and used the blended approach to study by mixing between virtual classrooms, academy visits and self-study.
At the time of enrolment Evelina and her mother just wanted a way to get her back into education and continue building confidence. She was more confident in her mathematics so opted for this as a regulated aim. We opened a preparation for work aim and used this to initiate contact. Then we worked on some embedded customer service skills.
“Evelina wanted to get back into education and build confidence”
Evelina was confident enough to join in with online group classrooms. She attended the academy for face-to-face support and also accessed self-study options.
We continued the 1-2-1 mentor sessions where Evelina was free to talk about herself and vent any issues around her home life. This was immensely helpful in her development.
Evelina covered occupational units in customer service with a group of Traineeship learners. This gave her a platform to begin interacting with learners close to her age. She continued to build up from pre-entry English through embedded learning and basic maths with 1-2-1 tutor support. Personal development sessions were varied and included CV writing, interview practice, debate, and formal speaking. In February, Evelina passed a maths course with good results.
Since completing the course in March 2022 Evelina has started a full Traineeship with IPS International. She is studying maths, English and occupational studies alongside her work experience.
Evelina said: “the biggest benefit was the flexibility of the training. I could join classrooms from home, so I was available if my mother needed me. The 1-2-1 tutor & mentor sessions helped to build me confidence and encouraged me to stay engaged.
“I now realise that I have a future in work and won’t be a carer forever.”
“When I finish my Traineeship, I want to progress into an apprenticeship. I now realise that I have a future in work and won’t be a carer forever.”
NUYU Academy says: “None of this would be possible without the support of the ESF funding that enables young people to access learning outside of mainstream schooling.
“The flexibility of this contract is vital for young people, like Evelina, who are not ready to undertake a full qualification but want to begin engagement with a training centre.”
CXK’s Step Up is a bespoke training programme to engage and support NEET (not in education, employment or training) 16-24 year olds in Kent and Medway, East Sussex, Essex, Thurrock and Southend. The programme is designed to support their personal development and/or to help in preparing them to move on to an apprenticeship, traineeship, further education, or work
Funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), the programme looks to address the rising number of 16-24 year olds claiming out of work benefits as a result of the pandemic.
About the European Social Fund
The project is receiving £2m of funding from the European Social Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England. The Department for Work and Pensions (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for the England European Social Fund programme. Established by the European Union, the European Social Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support skills development, employment and job creation, social inclusion and local community regenerations. For more information visit: England 2014 to 2020 European Structural and Investment Funds.
