Star Apprentice: Support worker Chantelle Rotherham

Chantelle Rotherham, age 34 from Hanley, works as a support worker to young people preparing to make the transition from living in a care home to living independently as adults. Her role at Above n Beyond supported accommodation in Newcastle-under-Lyme involves helping to look after two young people, age 16 and 18.

Prior to starting work at Above n Beyond over 2 years ago, Chantelle had an extremely varied career history. She started working life as a presenter and behind-the-scenes team member at Signal Radio, before going on to work in interior design and soft furnishings at Inside Right and working as an administrator at a housing association. She has also visited Africa to carry out charity work with Homeless International, ran a youth centre for ethnic minorities and has worked in respite care.

Chantelle’s assessor, Katie Brown of Acacia Training, nominated Chantelle as a Star Apprentice, saying: “Chantelle has excelled on her course and achieved her qualification on target. Chantelle didn’t believe that she would ever be able to achieve anything like this, but she gave 100% dedication and exceeded all expectations.”

In turn, Chantelle describes her assessor as “phenomenal – very organised, punctual, encouraging and incredible to work with.” She explains: “I have a little boy who will soon turn five – and combining work with being a parent, running a home and studying this qualification has sometimes been a logistical challenge. Katie has always been there to say ‘You can do it – and made sure that I do.”

Above N Beyond manager Jillian Taylor adds: “Chantelle finds it very easy to develop relationships with young people. Apprenticeships provide our staff with vital knowledge and understanding and it is great that the qualification she has studied with Acacia Training has been specific to the work we do with young people leaving care.”

Acacia Training provides Apprenticeships, work-based training and short courses for new employees or those already working in the care, childcare and health and social care sectors. Contact us to find out how.

New to the sector and looking for an Apprentice role? We are teaming up with HC-One to recruit to a host of new apprenticeship vacancies across the East and West Midlands.