Q&A with Starting Line [All week from 22 April 2020]

Jeet_Scope

• Are you age 16 and over?
• Do you have a disability, mental health/health condition (such as anxiety or epilepsy) or impairment?
• Would you like free advice on how to begin your employment journey?

Our advisers from the pre-employment training programme, Starting Line will be joining us from Wednesday to help answer your questions about how you can start your journey into work, as well as queries surrounding the training, volunteering and education you might need to start your career.

If you have a question, let us know below and our advisers will do their best to answer.

April2018mom

What careers are there for a aspiring 18 year old keen artist who uses a wheelchair?  Her hobbies and interests include painting and drawing. She also enjoys pine cone art. 

Jeet_Scope

Hi @April2018mom

I have listed a number of different professions that would require a good Art skills, I hope this will be helpful to her. 

• Animator
• Art teacher
• Cake decorator
• Fashion designer
• Graphic designer
• Illustrator and technical illustrator
• Industrial designer
• Makeup artist
• Motion graphics designer

i would also say creative careers to look at https://discovercreative.careers/#/

if she likes to paint and draw - many jobs available depending on what she is interested in.

Best wishes 

April2018mom

Thanks!

Jeet_Scope

Hi @Hart86

I hope you are well, and I hope this answers some of your questions. 

Is it too late for her to re-train as a teacher?

it is certainly not to late to change carers and become a teacher. 

Can you teach if you’re dyslexic? 

Many teachers who have symptoms of dyslexia report that this learning difference is actually a gift when you have the right frame of mind. Dyslexia can give teachers valuable insights into the challenges some pupils face with literacy, and the ability to act as a role model for students struggling with their academic confidence.

i dont suppose you know what first steps she should take? 

To teach in a state school in England, you must have a degree, and gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) by following a programme of Initial Teacher Training (ITT). You must have achieved minimum requirements in GCSE English, maths, and science if you wish to teach at primary-level. You can teach in independent schools, academies, and free schools in England without QTS, but it’s a definite advantage to have it.

Use the Department for Education's 'Find postgraduate teacher training' service to find teacher programmes in England.

https://www.gov.uk/find-postgraduate-teacher-training-courses

Best wishes 

Morgane_Scope

Hart86 said:

Hello
Could I ask a question for my sister? 

She’s in her 40s and hasn’t worked for the past 5 years. She has ASD and dyslexia but is very bright and academic. She’s always wanted to be a teacher and now her youngest is starting school she’s looking into it. But we both get really overwhelmed with the options and all the pages just have too much info for her to process. 

Is it too late for her to re-train as a teacher? Can you teach if you’re dyslexic? indont suppose you know what first steps she should take? 

Hart86,

I just wanted to add that there are also other training routes to become a teacher especially for career changers. 

Several programmes exists to support career changers to retrain as teachers such as Now Teach,  Transition to Teach and Teach First. 

For more information you can go on those links below: 

https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/explore-my-options/teacher-training-routes/specialist-training-options/teacher-training-programmes-for-career-changers

https://www.teachfirst.org.uk/training-programme

Kind Regards, 

Morgane 

Denise_Scope

Hart86

Can I also add that there are other roles that your sister might want to consider? 

Teaching Assistants play an important role in supporting pupils, especially those with SEN. The qualifications for this can be taken at college and do not require a degree.

The role is rewarding but involves less work outside of the classroom which can provide a good work/life balance.

It's a good idea to try to get some classroom experience before applying for any courses so she might want to volunteer for a short while at her child's school. This will be helpful even if she decides to pursue a career in Secondary teaching.

Kind Regards

Denise

April2018mom

What options are there for my dyslexic twenty four year old friend? He has achieved four GCSEs at mainstream school in various subjects including religious education and history at grades two to nine. He enjoys playing tennis, camping, hiking, reading and is pretty sociable too. Other hobbies of his are spiritual awareness and travelling. Thanks in advance!  

librajade

Goodmorning.My name is Jade and I'm from Philippines.  I can't  find a job here in the Philippines  because  of my disability. My amputated right foot below the knee and I'm using prosthetic  leg to walk .well I can say I can walk normally  and live  normally  like other people .I'm trying to find and search a job abroad. Is there someone  who willing too help me to find a job abroad? 
I would appreciate  any response you have 

Thank you everyone.

MangyWolf

How would I go about becoming a welfare rights advisor or even a disabled student advisor?

These are things which I would excel at as I have already been in both situations myself, and I now know everything about the welfare system and would only need very little re learning on how to help Disabled students, and at least have 5 years experience working in customer service (just don't mention how bad I was at it because hardly any hearing).

Only that I could only do it for 10 hours a week max both due to my own health problems and also to follow permitted work criteria (ESA support group).

Jeet_Scope

Hi @MangyWolf

How would I go about becoming a welfare rights advisor?

Many people start by volunteering in an advice centre.

As a volunteer you would receive training in interviewing skills and advice topics like welfare benefits and housing. It can take between 6 and 12 months to get enough experience to apply for jobs.

You can search for volunteering opportunities on the Do-it website.

A qualification in counselling, legal work or advice and guidance could be useful, though your employer may give you on-the-job training.

How would I go about becoming a disabled student advisor?

The successful applicant will provide individual support, advice and guidance to disabled applicants and students, whilst supporting the development of all Education based services aimed at improving inclusivity for all students.

They will also be an excellent communicator, able to work well in a multi-disciplinary team whilst being confident in multi-tasking and time managing a varied workload. They will have a thorough understanding of the responsibilities of Higher Education Institutions regarding The Equality Act 2010 and a commitment to the Social Model of disability.

I hope this answers your question 

Kind Regards 

Jeet_Scope

Hi @librajade, 

this is a difficult question. Scope only provides employment services to UK residents. I would recommend you look online for local organisations who might be able to might be able to provide advice about your query

Best Wishes 

Jeet_Scope

Hi @April2018mom

there are lots of career options open for your friend as dyslexia should not be a barrier to many jobs. Many people who are dyslexic work in a variety of fields, for example teaching, retail, science etc.

We would encourage your friend to follow their interests, for example you mentioned camping, hiking and spiritual awareness – there are services out there that provide spiritual retreats. They could look at training options to become a retreat leader for example.
If your friend is still feeling unsure about what career options might be suitable for them, they could have a look at our Career Pathways service: https://www.scope.org.uk/career-pathways

Hope this is helpful? 

Best Wishes