Student Case Studies
- Dani Marc, 35
- Karen Cox
- Tracy Mitchell
- Lorna Bryant
- Liz Webb, 48
- Melanie Hanmer, 39
- Christine Byrne, 43
- Stephen Coogan, 39
- Lyndsey Keggin
- Matthew Spencer
Qualifications developed and implented by the LLN and its partners began in September 2006. Initially the qualifications were introduced in the Health and Social Care strand.
LLN qualifications appeal to individuals of different ages and backgrounds. The following case studies from a number of LLN students who began studying in September 2006 provide an insight into why students choose LLN vocational qualifications and how they believe the course will support their career and personal aspirations.
Dani Marc, 35
Dani is 35 and began the Fd in Integrated Practice (Early Years) in September 2007.
Currently employed by Sefton Council and working at Cambridge Children’s Centre, Dani qualified as a nursery nurse after a 2-year full-time NNEB course at college. [An NNEB diploma in nursery nursing indicates the holder undertook a full time 2-year course covering the ages of 0-7. This is probably the most widely recognised qualification and gives student’s hands on experience in addition to the academic course which covers the physical, social, educational, intellectual and emotional needs of different ages.]
She then completed a 2 year part time course in 2000 and gained an advanced diploma in childcare and education (ADCE).
When asked about the course, Dani explained: “It’s relevant to my experience and current post in work and enables me to improve my practice. I saw an open day poster on our notice board in the Staff Room and thought this might be the course for me.
Dani added that the course is hard work but there are plenty of plus points: “I didn’t expect to have work to do each week, so I found that quite challenging to manage my time as I work full time. The diversity of the group and the discussions with our lecturers is really useful and helps us all.”
Her employer – Sefton Council – is supporting Dani course fees, which is another motivational for her. She said: “The course will enable me to improve my practice and therefore the practice of the team I manage, improving the quality of care and education of the children in our care. I’d certainly recommend the course to others.”
Karen Cox
Karen is one of a number of students being supported financially by her employer to develop new skills that will benefit both employer and employee.
Springfield Park Children’s Centre (Sefton Council) will reap the benefits of Karen’s newly acquired knowledge as she has begun the Fd in Integrated Practice.
Her previous qualifications and experience includes an NVQ3 Childcare & Education and D32 & D33 Assessor Award.
Karen explained: “I’m a Centre Manager working with many integrated service deliverers and the course seemed perfect for what I’m doing and is part of my continued professional development.
“It’s a great help that my course fees are funded by my employer and hopefully it will improve my knowledge and lead to progression on to an honours degree and the EYPS [Early Years Practitioner Status] course.
“I’d definitely recommend the course to others and it’s been nice meeting other members of the group who are all at the same stage as me.”
Tracy Mitchell
Studying the first year of the Young People strand of the Fd in Integrated Practice at the age of 40, Tracy explained that she had reached an age where she needed to make a decision about her future and hopes the course will lead to a career as a social worker or learning mentor.
Having worked in schools and children’s health in the past, Tracy’s situation has highlighted that for Foundation degrees such as Integrated Practice previous experience really does count.
She said: “I have GCSEs and attended college to study Bookkeeping, Accounts, Typing, counselling and psychology at level 2 and 3, so this is a step up, but with the support we get such as study skills, the course is really enjoyable.”
Funding her studies herself, Tracy is showing the determination that is evident in most vocational learners who have taken the decision to enhance their career opportunities by undertaking a course such as a Foundation degree.
Lorna Bryant
Having worked in a health setting – most notably within a children’s centre, Lorna, 32, chose to study the Fd in Integrated Practice.
Lorna explained: “I thought it would give me a greater understanding of the Every Child Matters agenda and improve my overall knowledge of the subject.”
Financing her studies herself, Lorna hopes to successfully complete the course and continue with her education and has been encouraged by the friendliness of other members of her group.
Liz Webb, 48
Liz is currently studying for the Year 0 Foundation to Health Studies programme in Occupational Therapy at Birkenhead Sixth Form College. How Liz reached this stage is an engaging story.
“I left school at 17 years old following the death of my father who had a fatal stroke at the age of 56. After a couple of fairly mundane jobs, I applied for a job as a Housing Assistant in Cheshire housing association and worked my way up to the role of Housing Manager. I really enjoyed this work but found it difficult to fit everything in once my children were born. I therefore decided to take a career break for a couple of years and then found work with a national charity concerned with stroke illness, a cause close to my heart having experienced the feelings of devastation that comes with stroke. I later progressed to working for a disabled children’s charity recruiting volunteers to assist families needing occasional respite.
“I’ve worked in a variety of health and social care settings, but the one that had most effect on me was working with The Stroke Association where I established an Information and advice Centre for stroke survivors, their families, carers etc. I found this job extremely rewarding and it brought me into daily contact not only with stroke families but also health professionals working directly with patients. Stroke is such a multi-faceted condition that can leave many distressing effects in its wake. I was particularly impressed with the work of the Occupational Therapists and how much their input helped stroke patients to rebuild their lives and self esteem. However I felt that with a young family I had missed the boat when it came to going to university to study for a qualification. Sadly in a national cost cutting exercise the funding of my post was terminated so my employment came to an end. I then drifted into a couple of clerical jobs before working at Wirral Breast Care Centre from where I progressed to this course.”
Asked what (or who) convinced her to apply for the course, Liz explained:
“Over the last few years I had become bored and frustrated with office work, as I missed having patient contact and slowly I began to think about retraining. I toyed with the idea for ages before taking action mainly due to lack of confidence and concern about my age. However I decided to make some tentative enquiries and rang the University of Liverpool to enquire about courses for mature students. I spoke to Anne Davies, the mature student advisor and Liz Bones the course co-ordinator who were both really helpful with advice but most importantly were very encouraging in helping to allay my doubts and worries which convinced me to give it a try. Finally I decided it was now or never and as a new course had been set up to help people like me who had been out of fulltime education for some years (31 in my case!) I applied and was thrilled to be offered a place. It felt like it was meant to be.
“Learning to study again has been really rewarding, interesting and helped build my confidence levels. For me, a major highlight has been establishing friendships and studying with other students facing the challenge together. Tutors have been really supportive, helpful and the learning takes place in a relaxed atmosphere with a good few laughs along the way.”
Returning to education after a number of years requires a great deal of commitment. Liz explains that the positives outweigh the negatives, but it is far from easy:
“Certainly returning to education after such a long break has been exciting but also quite daunting. There have been times when I have struggled but the tutors and my friends on the course have really helped me through the tough periods. I am also extremely lucky to have had the support of family. From my perspective, there’s no doubt that the course is pretty intense with a lot to fit in. However, I know this is a personal point of view and some of my fellow students feel the pace is fine. Looking back, although I had one or two doubts at the beginning when I felt really overwhelmed, I do not regret coming on to the course at all. The major advantage of this course is that if I complete it successfully, I am guaranteed a place at the University of Liverpool on my chose degree.”
Quizzed on her long-term ambitions, Liz added:
“I am still very keen to pursue a career in occupational therapy as I have not yet met an O.T. that doesn’t love what they do. I plan to progress to the University of Liverpool to undertake my degree studies on the Occupational Therapy programme. If I qualify I am hoping to work with neurologically impaired patients or in orthopaedics or paediatrics.”
Melanie Hanmer, 39
Melanie is studying for the Foundation Degree in Integrated Practice Children and Young People at Wirral Metropolitan College, Carlett Park Campus.
"I'm currently employed full time as a community support worker with Sure Start. I qualified as a nursery nurse six years ago and worked as a supervisor within a nursery setting. This current role works and supports families with children under five years old.
"The course was recommended by our manager as it is relevant to the job role. I had been thinking about doing a course, but was not sure if I was ready for a Foundation Degree.
"It has been challenging so far but very interesting. I have learnt a lot in the few months we have been attending.
"I would love to complete the course for self satisfaction, but am hoping to progress within the Children’s Centre and believe the FD will help me along the way."
Christine Byrne, 43
Christine is studying for the Foundation Degree in Integrated Practice Children and Young People at Wirral Metropolitan College, Carlett Park Campus.
"Having previously worked as a Nursery Nurse, I am now working as a community support worker with families who have children under five years old, within a children’s centre.
"I chose this course as it is aimed at the changes within the children and young people structure. My employer has funded the course and is giving us the time to attend college.
"I'm certainly enjoying the course! I am learning so much more through reading and writing the essays.
"In terms of the future, by gaining this award I will enhance my knowledge in this field. Many Co-ordinator posts will be available over the next twelve months."
Stephen Coogan, 39
Stephen is studying for the Year Zero Foundation in Healthcare with guaranteed progression to A100 Medicine (MBchB) Liverpool 2007. He is attending Carmel College in St Helens for the course validated by The University of Liverpool.
Below father of three Stephen provides an insight into his background, why he chose the course and what he hopes to achieve.
"After leaving school in 1983, I joined the Royal Navy as an engineer within the submarine service. After serving seven years I decided to leave the Navy where I moved into a commercial environment selling telecommunications network solutions to many of world’s largest service providers. Holding various sales and managerial positions I managed to travel much of the world on business.
"Ever since a young child I wanted to study medicine as I am fascinated by medical science and to be in a position to apply this knowledge to help a fellow human being is possibly the most rewarding thing that I can imagine. I did apply to do several other access to medicine courses, however, as Liverpool is my home town and this course is unique in that progression is guaranteed onto the Medical degree programme I decided that this was the right path for me.
"Being in an academic environment that is scientifically challenging and covering subjects such as Chemistry and Biology that I have an intrinsic interest in is rewarding. The college staff and tutors are very supportive and the University is very active in ensuring that we feel part of the University as Year Zero students. It is also enlightening to be in a class of like-minded people who all have an equal motivation to be successful and follow their dreams into medicine.
"Obviously after passing my exams I intend to progress onto the five-year medical degree programme at the University of Liverpool in September 2007. Once I have achieved this my motivation will be enjoy my studies and live my dream to become a competent and successful doctor. After that everything else is a bonus!"
Lyndsey Keggin
Lyndsey is studying for the Foundation Degree in Integrated Practice Children and Young People at Southport College. With more than twenty years experience in nursery nursing, Lyndsey is currently employed as a community nursery nurse for her local (Southport) Primary Care Trust.
Asked what made her chose the course, Lyndsey said: “I can see the role of nursery nursing changing, especially with the introduction of the Children’s Centres. Hopefully this course will enable me to formalise my skills in order to pursue a role within a Children’s Centre and progress my career.
“I’ve been out of formal education since I completed the NNEB qualification in 1979, but I’ve settled in well. The majority of the group are younger than me, but I don’t see this as a barrier.
Lyndsey added that she would like to work within a Children’s Centre when she completes her course.
Matthew Spencer
Matthew is also studying for the Foundation Degree in Integrated Practice Children and Young People. Employed as a Link Worker for Merseyside Action to Play, his story is one of personal triumph.
“Having been away from education for some time I was somewhat apprehensive about starting this course.
“I have been away from study since I completed the Cache level 3 Playworker course a few years ago. Prior to this I mostly attended practical courses due to a lack in confidence with academic work.
This is as a result of being dyslexic for which was only diagnosed when I was fifteen years old.
“I have however got a lot of confidence in my own ability. I’m open minded and enthusiastic, committed and organised, good at solving problems, a lateral thinker and a people person. I bring with me lots of experience of the children’s workforce to share with other participants.
“I have chosen to take the Young People route which reflects both my interests and my work environment. Both pathways follow similar modules but concentrate upon the appropriate ages and stages.
“The course is very focused around the governments “every child matters: Change for Children” paper which ensures that its participants have a very relevant learning experience.
“I have settled in now and have got into a routine that allows me to balance my study with my work and Scouting. I have noticed for myself that I look at things in a more positive light.
“I am learning lots of new things, exploring new subjects that I don’t think I would have been interested in had I not been introduced to them, and best of all (despite being told for so long) found that I can do it!”