[HoldThatThought]

Thanks for looking. ..

please let me down gently as this means alot to me.

I'm 21 years old, female I have a BTEC NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE. My dream job is either to become a TA or nursery nurse...
I know a BTEC isn't impressive but considering what I was going through at that point in my life I'm surprised I even got one.

Without turning this into a bloody sop story - ITS NOT MY STYLE I'll just say that I've never been employed.. When I left college I went through alot.. Depression etc. I do have a little experience working in a nursery & a day care centre for the elderly.

I'm not expecting to waltz outta depression into a top TA job I know that won't happen.. But is there any hope?

I've asked around for voluntary work no luck yet. I KNOW PEOPLE WITH NO QUALIFICATIONS WHO WORK IN SCHOOLS AS SUPPORT WORKERS & TAs!!;

ANY ADVICE OR TIPS?

any hope? thanks lovelies!!

[moorbre]

If you put your mind to it you can do most things

[Stevo112]

Well, I did some voluntary work in a secondary school and i'm going to be contacting primary schools in the next few days... I have GCSE and A-levels and a pending degree (which is a fancy way of saying I have no degree as of yet ).


Have you cold-called schools? That is a good starting place... there are a LOT of schools in the country, especially primary schools! If you don't mind commuting a bit then your going to have a lot of schools you can contact. I live near liverpool and have around 100 schools in the area I could easily get to

You could also check out the government site for your county (mine is wirral.gov.uk) as they list a lot of civil servant (and teaching/TA) jobs which you could well apply for... There is absolutely no harm in applying for paid work, even if your probably not going to get any.... But your BTEC might impress them!

Also, what kind of teaching assistant work are you looking for? The school I worked in had mainly special needs teaching assistants and PGCE students....

[Agenda Suicide]

Well for a start, it is easily something you can do, but you have to stop thinking you can't and start putting your mind to it.

Start thinking for yourself and marketing yourself well.

A quick google search shows:
http://www.skills4schools.org.uk/downloaddoc.asp?id=199

Authority
Grade
Typical requirements
(CRB check needed at all levels)
TA 1
Entry level, no qualifications needed but some experience may be required
and enthusiasm around supporting learning. An adequate level of numeracy
and literacy is needed together with a willingness to attend the TA induction
course.
TA 2
This post usually requires an NVQ Level 2 or equivalent. Some employers
may accept certificates and diplomas in TA or related courses with
experience and a willingness to gain a full NVQ.
TA 3
This post usually requires an NVQ Level 3 or equivalent. Some employers
may accept certificates and diplomas in TA or related courses with
experience and a willingness to gain a full NVQ.
HLTA
This post usually requires adequate experience, an NVQ Level 3 or
equivalent together with HLTA status including a literacy & numeracy
qualification at Level 2

http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into...FcshtAodlB5cvg


http://www.teaching-assistants.co.uk...assistants.htm

The following are vocational qualifications suitable for teaching assistants with little experience or for those with no previous experience:

• CACHE Level 2 Certificate for Teaching Assistants
• NCFE Level 2 Certificate
• BTEC Level 2 Certificate
• ABC Level 2 Certificate.

Why don't you search around, contact some local schools and ask if you can do some voluntary work with them, what background checks you'd need, etc etc.

That's all from a quick google search, if you take time, stop hurrying and being all I can't do this can't do that you won't get anywhere.

[HoldThatThought]

(Original post by Agenda Suicide)
Well for a start, it is easily something you can do, but you have to stop thinking you can't and start putting your mind to it.

Start thinking for yourself and marketing yourself well.

A quick google search shows:
http://www.skills4schools.org.uk/downloaddoc.asp?id=199



http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into...FcshtAodlB5cvg


http://www.teaching-assistants.co.uk...assistants.htm




Why don't you search around, contact some local schools and ask if you can do some voluntary work with them, what background checks you'd need, etc etc.

That's all from a quick google search, if you take time, stop hurrying and being all I can't do this can't do that you won't get anywhere.

>.<
That's me all over! I'll let you tell me off because you're right. I do use my initiative and try not to expect things but I AM SO NEGATIVE. Thank you so much... This post really helped. I know I'll be great at it. Thanks again, you!'

[HoldThatThought]

(Original post by Stevo112)
Well, I did some voluntary work in a secondary school and i'm going to be contacting primary schools in the next few days... I have GCSE and A-levels and a pending degree (which is a fancy way of saying I have no degree as of yet ).


Have you cold-called schools? That is a good starting place... there are a LOT of schools in the country, especially primary schools! If you don't mind commuting a bit then your going to have a lot of schools you can contact. I live near liverpool and have around 100 schools in the area I could easily get to

You could also check out the government site for your county (mine is wirral.gov.uk) as they list a lot of civil servant (and teaching/TA) jobs which you could well apply for... There is absolutely no harm in applying for paid work, even if your probably not going to get any.... But your BTEC might impress them!

Also, what kind of teaching assistant work are you looking for? The school I worked in had mainly special needs teaching assistants and PGCE students....

How was your work experience at the secondary school? I'd love that.
Thanks so much! Seriously. I've not thought about cold calling schools as I prefer to go there in person hoping that they wont dismiss me!
I'm probably going to cold call schools further away now.
Hopefully my BTEC will count for something.

I'd not thought about which 'type' I wanted to be .. I'd take anything but I'm going to become more prepared and look into that.

I've just rushed things in a panic I need to relax and believe.

thanks again!

[flopsy89]

(Original post by moorbre)
If you put your mind to it you can do most things

YES! I like that. And I totally agree.


And, yes, imo there is hope. I got a job as a Design Technician in my local secondary school with just GCSE's. Try and volunteer as much as possible. When the schools know you're face and (hopefully!) like you then you can be sure to know first when any positions do come up! I would imagine that actual experience would count for alot more than some piece of paper/qualification in that field anyway.

The best thing you can do is ring around and ask / search for job vacancies being advertised and see what they are looking for in potential candidates for the post.

[Stevo112]

(Original post by HoldThatThought)
How was your work experience at the secondary school? I'd love that.
Thanks so much! Seriously. I've not thought about cold calling schools as I prefer to go there in person hoping that they wont dismiss me!
I'm probably going to cold call schools further away now.
Hopefully my BTEC will count for something.

I'd not thought about which 'type' I wanted to be .. I'd take anything but I'm going to become more prepared and look into that.

I've just rushed things in a panic I need to relax and believe.

thanks again!

From my experience a lot of kids in the year 9-11 bracket are pretty annoying. They will pick up on teachers or assistants who are depressed or not happy with themselves. I would strongly recommend you start with younger kids because generally they don't give you a hard time. With the year 7-8 kids it is generally a case of you being in charge and they show you respect irrespective of your personal circumstances. The same applies for primary education.

My work experience was cool though I'm a pretty cool bloke in the classroom so got along well with the students (all boys school). Boys around the 10-16 age love football and so do I so we got along really well. I was teaching maths so relating maths to football was fun A few kids did try to insult me, but I just took it on the chin and turned it into a joke. My surname is Mr Hughes and one kid started calling me Mr Shoes, so I made fun out of myself in regard to that. I think that if your looking at secondary you probably need to be a bit more self confident because kids do like to insult you from time to time. It is never personal, but someone with a disposition for being depressed might get really upset. With primary school (or year 7/8) you generally get an easy ride; the kids listen to you and are too young to take the piss.

If you want the voluntary work then ring up some schools. Teachers are really stretched and they genuinely appreciate the extra help! I reckon you should start with primary though. You will absolutely love it. You sound like a lovely caring girl and you just have to figure out what is right for you . The experience is certainly there for you though, you just have to put in some effort to get it

[HoldThatThought]

(Original post by Stevo112)
From my experience a lot of kids in the year 9-11 bracket are pretty annoying. They will pick up on teachers or assistants who are depressed or not happy with themselves. I would strongly recommend you start with younger kids because generally they don't give you a hard time. With the year 7-8 kids it is generally a case of you being in charge and they show you respect irrespective of your personal circumstances. The same applies for primary education.

My work experience was cool though I'm a pretty cool bloke in the classroom so got along well with the students (all boys school). Boys around the 10-16 age love football and so do I so we got along really well. I was teaching maths so relating maths to football was fun A few kids did try to insult me, but I just took it on the chin and turned it into a joke. My surname is Mr Hughes and one kid started calling me Mr Shoes, so I made fun out of myself in regard to that. I think that if your looking at secondary you probably need to be a bit more self confident because kids do like to insult you from time to time. It is never personal, but someone with a disposition for being depressed might get really upset. With primary school (or year 7/8) you generally get an easy ride; the kids listen to you and are too young to take the piss.

If you want the voluntary work then ring up some schools. Teachers are really stretched and they genuinely appreciate the extra help! I reckon you should start with primary though. You will absolutely love it. You sound like a lovely caring girl and you just have to figure out what is right for you . The experience is certainly there for you though, you just have to put in some effort to get it

Yeah, I'm now thinking back at how we used to treat the TAs. gosh :0

You guys don't know how much better you've made me feel .. Didn't even think anyone was going to reply let alone give me great ideas.

I do think you're right. Me in a classroom full of older kids would be outta my depth.

"You will absolutely love it. You sound like a lovely caring girl and you just have to figure out what is right for you".

tooo kind.

You know, when you mentioned that I'd get upset I thought 'no way' but in reality not true.


good luck with your pending degree. don't worry I've got alot of things 'pending' too..


don't even know what to say. you've helped me alot!

[HoldThatThought]

(Original post by moorbre)
If you put your mind to it you can do most things

Need to work on my optimism don't I ?

thanks.

[Stevo112]

(Original post by HoldThatThought)
Yeah, I'm now thinking back at how we used to treat the TAs. gosh :0

You guys don't know how much better you've made me feel .. Didn't even think anyone was going to reply let alone give me great ideas.

I do think you're right. Me in a classroom full of older kids would be outta my depth.

"You will absolutely love it. You sound like a lovely caring girl and you just have to figure out what is right for you".

tooo kind.

You know, when you mentioned that I'd get upset I thought 'no way' but in reality not true.


good luck with your pending degree. don't worry I've got alot of things 'pending' too..


don't even know what to say. you've helped me alot!

Well i've passed my degree but it is just a question of 2:1 or 2:2

You'd be fine, you just have to dive in and give it a go!

[mld]

(Original post by HoldThatThought)
Need to work on my optimism don't I ?

thanks.

If you're in kent the jobs are in kent-teach.com

I hope you're successful. I'd love to have you as my TA.

[HoldThatThought]

(Original post by Stevo112)
Well i've passed my degree but it is just a question of 2:1 or 2:2

You'd be fine, you just have to dive in and give it a go!

Help me pleasee 'Steve'? !

I just got a call from 'RDS Recruitment' who offered me a place on a 'teaching course'. It's done via online for 2hrs every 2 weeks. The certificate you get is called a 'Certificate Co-Foundation for teaching' ..

I'm freaking out because I just gave them my bank details via the phone.

I know its stupid but I'm so desperate to be a TA ..

I wonder if they've scammed me?

btw, I've been asking for voluntary work .. no luck

hope you're ok. thanks xx

I might make a post on this.. wahhh!

[Stevo112]

(Original post by HoldThatThought)
Help me pleasee 'Steve'? !

I just got a call from 'RDS Recruitment' who offered me a place on a 'teaching course'. It's done via online for 2hrs every 2 weeks. The certificate you get is called a 'Certificate Co-Foundation for teaching' ..

I'm freaking out because I just gave them my bank details via the phone.

I know its stupid but I'm so desperate to be a TA ..

I wonder if they've scammed me?

btw, I've been asking for voluntary work .. no luck

hope you're ok. thanks xx

I might make a post on this.. wahhh!

company seems legit as far as I can tell...

Here is their website;

http://www.rdsltd.org/en/contact-us


Give them a ring and ask them to verify they have your details

[HoldThatThought]

(Original post by Stevo112)
company seems legit as far as I can tell...

Here is their website;

http://www.rdsltd.org/en/contact-us


Give them a ring and ask them to verify they have your details

Will do.

Don't know if I should do it?

I'm tight on money as it is .. are people even going to care about this 'certificate' if I have no hands on experience. I don't think so.

How many schools do I have to bother to get some voluntary work.

ps, sorry to bother you. I'm just a stress head. thanks

[Stevo112]

(Original post by HoldThatThought)
Will do.

Don't know if I should do it?

I'm tight on money as it is .. are people even going to care about this 'certificate' if I have no hands on experience. I don't think so.

How many schools do I have to bother to get some voluntary work.

ps, sorry to bother you. I'm just a stress head. thanks

I'm not sure about this company... I just haven't considered this sort of thing personally. Like i've said, I tend to cold call them up and get placements etc. If you want voluntary work then you will certainly get it! All I can advise is to look into your depressive tendencies... if you come across as confident or passionate (or both!) then the school will generally consider taking you on as AT LEAST a volunteer. You do need qualifications for TA work but you can always take the NVQ route which involves gaining a qualification whilst you do hands on work in the school!

[HoldThatThought]

(Original post by Stevo112)
I'm not sure about this company... I just haven't considered this sort of thing personally. Like i've said, I tend to cold call them up and get placements etc. If you want voluntary work then you will certainly get it! All I can advise is to look into your depressive tendencies... if you come across as confident or passionate (or both!) then the school will generally consider taking you on as AT LEAST a volunteer. You do need qualifications for TA work but you can always take the NVQ route which involves gaining a qualification whilst you do hands on work in the school!

lol, I don't walk around like a zombie.
I pretend Steve. I'm a bloody pro.
I'm recovering so I'm ok. Not 100% but near.

I smile, I engage in small talk. I'm polite.
I know I've mentioned my depression on here but in real life its hidden & not something I wear on my sleeve.

Im just beyond confused. Annoyed I haven't so far been able to do a job I know I'll be good at. I'm still going to work harder to get voluntary or proper work but to be 100% honest I'll only be prepared to study alongside having a job. I can't waste more years studying . I just want to move out.

If my circumstances were different I'd be prepared to study.

Wonder where I'll be in say 3yrs time..

hm.