After completing her Level 2 Health and Social Care apprenticeship with Educ8 Training, Support Worker Kacey is building her confidence, strengthening her skills and taking the next step towards her future career in care.
Kacey always had a strong interest in care, and with experience already under her belt, she decided to complete her qualification to build on her existing knowledge and gain a recognised qualification. She wanted to develop a deeper understanding of the sector so she could continue providing the best possible support to the people she works with, giving her greater confidence and help open up opportunities for her future career.
She said:
‘I wanted to understand health and social care on a deeper level so I could support people properly, with kindness, respect and confidence. I hoped it would help me believe in myself more and open up opportunities for me to keep growing in a career I really care about.’
Connecting learning with everyday care
One of the things Kacey has valued most about her qualification is being able to apply what she has learned directly to her work. The course has encouraged her to look more closely at her role and recognise the importance of the small things she does when supporting others.
‘What I’ve enjoyed most is seeing how the things I’ve learnt link so closely with the work I do every day. It has made me look at my role differently and realise how important even the small things can be when supporting someone.’
Her learning has also helped her develop a better understanding of people’s individual needs and think more carefully about how she communicates, listens and responds. Areas including safeguarding and person-centred care have been particularly valuable in building her confidence.
‘I feel like I understand people’s needs more and have become more thoughtful in how I communicate, listen and respond. It has given me more confidence, especially around safeguarding, person-centred care and making sure people feel valued, heard and in control of their own lives.’
Support from Educ8 Training
Having the right support throughout a qualification can make a significant difference, particularly when learning alongside an existing role. Kacey says her experience with Educ8 Training has been positive and encouraging, with her Trainer Coach providing consistent support throughout her qualification.
‘My experience with Educ8 has honestly been really positive and encouraging. My Trainer Coach has supported me the whole way through and has made me feel like I wasn’t on my own.’
Being able to ask questions and talk through anything she was unsure about helped Kacey stay motivated, particularly at times when she lacked confidence. She also appreciated the supportive approach of the wider Educ8 team.
‘I’ve always felt able to ask questions without feeling judged, and that support has helped me stay motivated and keep going. The wider team have also been kind and helpful, which has made the whole experience feel welcoming and supportive.’
Putting new knowledge into practice
Kacey has been able to take what she has learned through her qualification and apply it to situations that arise in her role. She describes occasions where her learning has encouraged her to pause, consider a situation from a different perspective and respond with greater patience and understanding.
‘There have been times at work where something I learnt during my qualification made me stop, think and approach a situation with more patience and understanding.’
The qualification has also helped her understand the importance of how people experience the care they receive. This has given Kacey a greater awareness of the impact that communication, patience and understanding can have on someone’s experience.
Alongside the practical knowledge she has developed, Kacey says the experience has helped her believe more strongly in her own abilities and potential.
‘Personally, it has also helped me believe in myself more and recognise that I am capable of developing and moving forward.’
Continuing to develop with Educ8 Training
After completing her Level 2, Kacey is keen to take the next step in her development. Continuing her learning with Educ8 is helping her build on the knowledge and confidence she gained through her first qualification.
‘Educ8 has helped me feel more confident about my future and has shown me that I am capable of achieving more than I sometimes thought I could. Completing my Level 2 feels like a proud moment for me because it has taken commitment, learning and belief in myself.’
Kacey is keen to continue developing her skills and experience within the care sector, with further ambitions for the future. Her next goal is to develop her career further and, eventually, work more closely with children and young people.
‘In the future, I would really love to work more closely with children and young people, because that is something I have always felt passionate about and something I would love to achieve.’
Building skills for a career in care
Kacey’s experience shows how an apprenticeship can help people combine work-based experience with structured learning and a recognised qualification. Her Level 2 has strengthened her knowledge of health and social care while giving her the confidence to apply what she has learned in her role.
With her career progression at the front of her mind, Kacey is continuing to invest in her development and work towards her longer-term career goals. For her, the support from Educ8 has been an important part of that journey.
‘Educ8 has helped me feel more confident about my future and has shown me that I am capable of achieving more than I sometimes thought I could.’
