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 Lone
parents can enrol on a 'caring for children' programme called
'Getting On' that will equip them with the skills they need to
get a job in that professional area.
The programme, run by Kent Adult Education Service, includes
careers advice, helping to raise self-esteem and improving basic
literacy skills. An additional element to the programme includes
'Lone stars'. 'Lone stars' will support the indiviudals on their
journery to lifelong learning and provide champions within the
community to promote opportunities available for learning.
Case studies
Louise's story
After leaving an abusive relationship a year ago, mum-of-two Louise
didn't have much self esteem or confidence and had no direction in
life.
Siging up for the 'Getting on' course has changed her life.
"I have really enjoyed the course; it has given me direction, as
well as experience and new skills. Being part of a small group was
important and helped me to feel more confident. I thought the
Morrisby profile was brilliant and that gave me lots of ideas for
the future that I will now feel confident to try.
"Finding out my level of English and maths was really helpful
and I am going to the Skills Plus Centre to improve my skills.
"The course has given me the confidence to make informed
decisions about my future. I want to work with special needs
children and, in the long term, become a teacher or possibly a
social worker and the course has given me the information on how to
get there.
"'Getting on' is a life-changing experience, giving me focus,
drive and ambitions."
Sara's story
Sara is a lone parent to her six-year-old daughter. After
completing a confidence-building course with Kent Adult Education,
Sara decided to sign up for the 'Getting on' course to find out
more about childcare and the options open to her.
The course has given Sara the boost that she needed to do new
things and to think about what she wanted for her future.
Sara did her placement at a local primary school. She planned to
do three days but ended up doing nearly three weeks and is hoping
to go back to do some more voluntary work soon.
"Everyone who gets the opportunity to go on this course should
do so - whether they feel they might get something from it or not -
because it really opens your eyes to the possibilities."
Sara plans to sign up for other adult education courses soon and
is looking to enrol on a teaching assistant NVQ in September. She
is also going to do her literacy and numeracy assessments at the
Dover Skills Plus Centre.
Elsie's story
Elsie is a 45-year-old single parent with five children. Her
youngest son is seven years old and since he was born she has been
busy with her large family.
She hadn't really worked since she left school, instead she
focused on bringing up her children.
In the past three years, however, Elsie has completed two
computer courses to improve her IT skills to improve her skills and
gain more out life.
Elsie found out about the 'Getting on' course from the Family
Liaison Officer at Priory Field School.
As part of the course Elsie learned about different childcare
routes, did her paediatric first aid certificate, the Morrisby
profile and voluntary work in a local school.
"The course has given me lots of confidence and I am more
outgoing and have more patience with other people. The placement
showed me what I really want to do with my future and I am now
regularly volunteering in Priory Fields School. I will be signing
up to a teaching assistant course next September and in the
meantime I will be doing more voluntary work, the behaviour
management course and going to the Skills Plus Centre to improve my
English and maths".
Elsie is now more confident in her ability and knows what she
wants to do with her future. The voluntary placement confirmed that
she was right to pursue childcare and the Morrisby profile has
proved to her that her personality is suited to what she wants from
life.
Kevin's story
Kevin is a divorced single father with one son. After his
parents divorced when he was a teenager, Kevin got heavily involved
with drugs and alcohol.
He joined the army and eventually left to get married but the
relationship broke down within a few of weeks.
When his son was young Kevin volunteered in his son's playgroup.
He also went to college, improved his computer skills and did his
GCSE in English and maths. He wanted to be independent but found it
hard with the parental responsibility.
Kevin's Single Parent Advisor told him about the 'Getting on'
course;
"'Getting on' is a really good course; it gives you something to
think about and the CV workshop and the Morrisby profile were very
helpful. It has been good talking to new people and has given me
the opportunity to try new things. I have received some good advice
and made some new friends."
Kevin was initially concerned about being the only man in a
group of women but found that there was no prejudice or
discrimination. He felt very comfortable in the group and found the
experience worthwhile.
Liz's story
Liz says that the 'Getting on' course has turned her life
around.
"I grew up in Ashford and lived with my parents until I was 15
when they divorced. My mum moved out first and my dad moved out a
while later leaving me and my older sister in the house. My sister
and I lived together until I left school.
"I left school with seven GCSE passes and decided to go to
college in Chatham to do an NNEB in childcare. I moved to Maidstone
with my dad and his partner but I wasn't happy, so started drinking
and didn't finish college. I later moved back in with my sister in
Ashford.
"I was struggling to get by and I couldn't get a job because
officially I was of no fixed abode. I was becoming more
depressed.
"Then I met my partner Colin when I was 17 and his parents
insisted that I moved in with them. Colin supported me and
eventually I was able to get work.
"In 2002 I gave birth to our daughter, but it also brought on
the depression that I had been suffering with for years. This time
I was finally able to start dealing with it with the support of
Colin, my friends and family.
"In September 2005 things took a turn for the worse when Colin
was killed suddenly in a motorcycle accident leaving me alone with
a three-year-old daughter.
"I heard about the course through Sure Start in Ashford and I
went along because I felt that I wanted to start rebuilding my life
and maybe go back into childcare, picking up where I had left on in
college.
Doing the course made me realise that I wanted so much more out of
life than I currently had and sharing experiences with others on
the course made me aware that I could overcome my barriers.
"During the course I have been supported and shown that there
are organisations and people that can help me achieve my goals. I
also learned that my literacy and numeracy skills were better than
I thought as I always thought I was not capable of academic
work.
"The course is now ending and I have decided that I do not want
to go into childcare but instead I am going to an access to higher
education course and then go on to university and train to become a
social worker.
"It has shown me my own potential that I couldn't see before and
made me realise that I want to achieve things with my life. I am
taking the first steps to changing my life for the better."
Linda's story
"I moved back to Ashford last August to be near my family after
a bad marriage break up.
"My sister-in-law told me about the Ray Allen Skills Plus Centre
in Stanhope. The staff there were all very friendly and have given
me lots of confidence.
"Jill told me about the course and I started there in April. I
have learned about different jobs that are available in childcare
and I was given a work placement at Sure Start. This was a chance
to decide if I wanted to work with children or not - and I do!
"I now have a voluntary placement at the Ashford Sunflower
Nursery and hope to study for my NVQ2 in Childcare while I am
there. I will also continue my English studies at the Ray Allen
Skills Plus Centre.
"Joining Adult Education courses has given me a lot of
confidence and I have also enjoyed meeting lots of different
people."
Project contacts
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