Thinking about next steps

The last 3 years seem to have passed more quickly, perhaps because of the pandemic and too Lexie living away during term time. Her experience at a residential specialist training college hasn't been all plain sailing but we're pleased that she has continued to develop her skills both in catering but also in independent living.

Lexie is currently working one day a week in a school kitchen, 2 shifts a week in the college's own restaurant, and a day a week cooking for local residents in the village hall. We're now exploring options for local work experience during the holidays and hope to be able to share updates on that soon!

A work experience is a great way to find out if the place and the person are a good fit, they enable young people to demonstrate their skills, to grow in confidence and to hopefully shine (perhaps a little brighter and more far reaching than the employer had thought possible!) 

If you're in a position that enables you to welcome a young person into your work place for a meaningful work experience, then we'd encourage you wholeheartedly to do so. If you're unsure about how things could work then there are organisations who can help like the DSA work fit scheme, and chatting with parents and the young person themselves will be really valuable.