Kirsty's Path to Purpose
June 12, 2025Posted by:
When Kirsty joined the Restart Scheme in Darlington, she brought with her a strong background in bar work and customer service. After leaving her most recent role, she was referred to the Restart Scheme via her local Jobcentre and it marked the beginning of a brand new chapter.
From the outset, Kirsty had a clear vision: she wanted to build a career working with children, specifically within SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) schools. Although she had no prior experience in the education sector, she wasn’t deterred. Instead, she took it as an opportunity to upskill.
Kirsty began exploring courses through Darlington Learning & Skills and soon completed qualifications in Understanding Autism, Safeguarding, and Understanding Distressed Behaviour - all key areas for working in SEND environments. Alongside this, she took part in the in-house training delivered by our PeoplePlus dedicated Skills Trainer, where she refined her interview technique and strengthened her understanding of transferable skills.
Kirsty also made the most of the Restart Scheme’s job clubs, which supported her with CV development, applications, and targeted job searches within the education sector. Her proactive mindset shone through as she began contacting local agencies and schools directly, determined to find a role that aligned with her goals.
She successfully applied for a teaching assistant position and completed all the necessary paperwork and checks. Unfortunately, the opportunity didn’t progress further – a frustrating setback for someone so motivated, but Kirsty didn’t let this knock her confidence. She remained focused and continued applying for other positions, including apprenticeships that would provide hands-on experience in schools.
Kirsty is now awaiting the outcome of several apprenticeship applications and remains optimistic about her future. Her commitment to personal development has transformed her career outlook and she’s now one step closer to achieving her dream of supporting children in the classroom.
June 12, 2025Posted by:
