Restarting Confidence: Khawaja’s Path Back into Work in Kent
October 09, 2025Posted by:
When Khawaja first joined the Restart Scheme, she had been out of the workforce for several years while raising her children. Like many people returning to work after a long break, she initially felt unsure and lacked confidence.
After meeting with her Employment Advisor, Darren Mellford, and learning about the support available, Khawaja became a regular visitor to the centre. With each session, she made steady progress toward her employment goals.
Khawaja expressed an interest in part-time work within the education sector. Together, Darren and Khawaja explored opportunities in the Tunbridge Wells area and identified potential routes into education. To help her build confidence and sector knowledge, Khawaja attended taster sessions delivered by our in-house trainer. These sessions gave her valuable insight into the skills and responsibilities involved in different education roles.
Following this, Khawaja met with our Careers Advisor, who recommended a Level 2 Teaching Assistant qualification. She enrolled, applied herself fully, and successfully completed the course within a few weeks.
To gain practical experience, Khawaja also began volunteering at a local school, supporting young children with reading. She thrived in this environment, developing both her skills and self-belief. With her new qualification, a DBS check, and hands-on experience, Khawaja felt ready to look for paid work.
Through one-to-one sessions, we supported her job search, shared suitable vacancies, and prepared her for interviews with mock sessions. With her renewed confidence and preparation, Khawaja successfully secured a position as a Midday Meal Supervisor at a nearby school.
Now four weeks into her new role, Khawaja recently returned to the centre to thank the team for their help and encouragement. She spoke warmly about her experience and the support that helped her rebuild her confidence and return to work:
“Everyone here has been wonderful to me. I can’t thank you all enough for helping me get into a school job. I never thought I could do it until I came here.”
October 09, 2025Posted by:
