Case Studies

 

Susan

Susan has been a looked after child since the age of 12. She has been a service user at our Leaving Care Service since the age of 16.

She has overcome many challenges in her short life. Her early years were characterised by neglect and abuse. Her teenage years were turbulent, and marked by episodes of aggression, criminality, and involvement with using and dealing drugs. She had a child in July 2004.

She had been unemployed for over 2 years when she joined a group of young people on the Shaftesbury Project Progress course, which aims to develop young people’s readiness for work or further education by helping them to develop greater confidence and motivation, as well as equipping them with some basic knowledge and understanding of the workplace.

Through the course she acquired the confidence to speak about her experience at the National Care Leavers week conference in 2006. In 2007 she successfully applied for a post with Islington Council, through Islington Career Start, the scheme that sets up employment opportunities with Council departments. She is currently working in the Administration department and working towards completing an NVQ in administration.

Rosie

Rosie became a looked after child in 2000, after fleeing from the war zone in Ethiopia and leaving her friends and family behind. Most of her family died in Ethiopia when she fled the country, and in 2004 her sister, who was very close to her, passed away very suddenly. Despite all of Rosie’s traumas she has managed to remain strong, and to focus on her education, where she has achieved good grades in most of her assignments.

Rosie is now is in her final year at University, where she is studying for a degree in Law.

 

Bill

Bill's first language is French. He was homeless, sleeping rough or staying with friends. A Shaftesbury Education Adviser started working with him when he was taken into care . Although he was in school, his motivation was low and his reputation within school for causing problems and threatening to hit pupils who talked when he was trying to concentrate also put him at risk of exclusion.

He was due to go to an educational project but with the support of the Adviser was allowed to stay in his school and take GCSEs in Maths and English.

Bill felt that his attendance, homework and classwork improved with the Adviser's support. He gained 2 E grades, and has applied to train as a car mechanic.

At some point when he is more settled he wants to do Maths A level, and study engineering.

Bill particularly valued the one to one support. His verdict "the service was brilliant".