Exeter apprenticeship allays fear of losing home for ex-King’s School student

A school leaver who was worried she would have to leave her home has now-started an apprenticeship that means she can stay put, thanks to a timely call from Careers South West.

Megan Foster is a care leaver living in a flat in the grounds of her previous foster parents’ home. In order to stay in this accommodation Megan is required to be either in full-time education, training or employment, a condition of the Staying Put Scheme that funds her housing.

Although she left The King’s School in Ottery St Mary with good GCSE results after receiving mentoring from head teacher, Faith Jarrett, Megan was struggling to find any suitable work and became worried about her future.

Help came when she received a follow up call from her Careers South West adviser Romy Lavis who first met Megan when she was at King’s. Romy discovered Megan was interested in working with people who need help, so when a position came up for an apprentice Help Desk adviser at Careers South West in Exeter, Romy suggested she apply.

Megan was thrilled when she secured the year-long apprenticeship. She said: “Without Romy’s advice I would have lost my home and had to move to shared accommodation away from my friends. I am so happy to still be in my own place and living independently.

“I feel like my working life has started. This year’s apprenticeship will give me a Level 2 in customer service. I’m meeting lots of young people and adults, some of whom have similar issues to the ones I had, and I’m learning how to help them. Eventually I may go on to work in child protection,” Megan added.
“It’s all thanks to Romy – she’s wicked!”

The King’s School head teacher Faith Jarrett, who was a referee for Megan’s application, commented: “I was delighted to provide a reference for Megan for this role. Megan is a fantastic example of a young person who despite what could have been an insurmountable range of obstacles in her life outside of school simply did not give up.

“She demonstrated huge strength of character and worked with those people who really wanted the best for her – even if we did have our battles at times! I could not be happier that Megan is now in a position to pass on her wisdom to other young people trying to find their own path. I have every belief that she will be a huge asset to Careers South West and to the young people with whom she will work.”

Careers South West offers careers advice to a wide range age group, including students and young people and, through its provision of the National Careers Service, 19 to 65 year olds.

For more details visit www.careerssw.org