Employment support case studies

Our employment support service helps residents find jobs or give their careers a much-needed change. Here, you’ll find the stories of three residents and how we supported them into work.

Case Study 1: Overcoming confidence issues and securing employment

Background

Jane, a resident of Kent, faced significant challenges in her journey to employment. She had been unemployed for five years, struggling with confidence issues and a deep-seated fear of job interviews.

Challenges

Lack of confidence: Jane’s prolonged period of unemployment had severely impacted her self-esteem. She doubted her abilities and felt unworthy of potential job opportunities.

Fear of interviews: The thought of attending job interviews was daunting for Jane. She experienced anxiety and fear, which often led to avoidance behaviour.

Intervention

Jane registered with L&Q’s employment support service to help her secure a job and overcome her fears. We provided a comprehensive approach to address her specific needs:

Interview preparation: We offered mock interview sessions where Jane could practice her interview skills in a safe and supportive environment. She received constructive feedback and learned techniques to manage her anxiety.

One-on-one coaching: We provided personalized guidance and support. We helped her identify her strengths, set realistic goals, and develop a tailored job search strategy.

Outcome

Through her dedication and the support of the employment programme, Jane made significant progress:

Increased confidence: Jane began to believe in her abilities and felt more prepared to face job interviews.

Successful job interview: With her newfound confidence and interview skills, Jane successfully navigated the interview process for a call centre advisor position with the NHS.

Employment: Jane secured the job and is now working as a call centre advisor for the NHS. She is thriving in her role, providing valuable support to patients and healthcare professionals.

Conclusion

Jane’s journey from unemployment and low self-confidence to securing a meaningful job with the NHS is a testament to the power of targeted support and personal determination.

Case Study 2: Life skills also count as employment expertise

Background

In October 2024, Joseph referred his wife Janine, who had arrived from Jamaica just three days earlier.

Challenges

Right to work in the UK: Janine had all the correct documents, so we were able to get started the same day.

Unfamiliar with the recruitment process: We explained the registration process, and Janine began to relax. She had been feeling quite nervous, but the more we explained, the more she understood.

Identifying her career priorities: Janine shared her varied experience, including several roles in the hotels industry, as well as supporting her sick mother, who relied on a wheelchair, and both of her elderly grandparents, who were in their late 90s.

Intervention

We provided a comprehensive approach to address Janine’s specific needs, recognising her passion for caring and her connection to those in extra need of support.

She was also open to looking for cleaning roles and was eager to start working right away.

Administrative support: Janine had a residency card and working visa, had already applied for a National Insurance Number, and had opened a bank account. However, she didn’t have her own phone number, and her email address had a different first and last name from her paperwork. We managed to resolve these issues.

Pre-interview preparation: Janine didn’t have a CV, so we shared a CV guide to explain what type of information was needed. We kept in touch by phone and email and met in person on 15 November at our Lewington Community Centre to create her CV.

One-on-one coaching: On the day, we checked the new CV and made further improvements. CVs are “live” documents, never static. We provided personalised guidance and support to help Janine identify her strengths and develop a tailored job search strategy, creating two CVs: one for care roles and another emphasising transferable skills for general vacancies.

Outcome

We contacted a few recruitment agencies in the Health & Social Care sector that we found on Agency Central.

Janine called us on Christmas Eve with great news; one of the agencies had called her, she was able to explain more about her experience, and they offered her a job.

Increased confidence: Janine remembered the skills and expertise needed to care for those who are ill. Life and transferable skills are as important as skills learnt on the job.

Successful job interview: There was a bit of a delay whilst her DBS was processed, but she was finally able to start work.

Employment: On 22 January 2025, three months exactly from the day we first talked, Janine started work in the field closest to her heart, health and social care.

Conclusion

We had helped Joseph into work, so when Janine arrived, Joseph contacted our employment support service, confident that we would also help her. Janine was delighted with her job.

The lesson is to remember what you are good at, and where your passion lies.  Our team will find you a career, not just a job.

Case Study 3: An opportunity to gain new skills in an untested and new job role

Background

Angela had recently graduated from university as a mature student. During the advice and guidance session, we spoke at great length about her career aspirations and previous job experience.

Challenges

Unfamiliar with this field: Angela had several years of experience but had studied intentionally to start anew.

Fear of not being given a chance: Angela worried that she was competing with experts with years of proven track records. She questioned whether she would even get a foot in the door and if she had made the right decision to change careers.

Intervention

We completed a KASH analysis, identifying knowledge, attitude, skills and habits that were Angela’s strengths. We identified suitable vacancies and developed a plan for the support she would receive.

CV support: Angela’s CV was checked and updated to ensure it highlighted her key skills, qualities, and experience.

Help to apply for roles: Angela was given one-on-one application support and interview preparation sessions.

Outcome

In January, Angela successfully secured employment as a Project Support Worker. Although it’s not in the same field as her degree, she’s excited about the opportunity to gain new skills and expertise, and the role has great promotion prospects.

Open-minded: This is a role and a career that Angela hadn’t considered before

Financial help from employment support: As Angela had been a student for the last four years, we provided her with a Love2Shop voucher to buy work clothes for her new role. We also topped up her Oyster card to cover the cost of travel until she received her first salary.

In work support: Angela will receive check-in calls for the first three months of employment.

Conclusion

Angela is progressing well and is delighted that, despite her fears, she made the decision to go to university and start in a previously unknown career. 

Register your interest in employment support

If you live in South London, South East London, South West London or Kent

You can self-refer using our Employment Support Referral form.

If you live in North or East London

We’re sorry, but our employment support service is currently unavailable in this area as our resources are dedicated to other projects. In the meantime, we encourage you to access the National Careers Service for support and guidance.