Case Studies

By Year 11, 17-year-old Cory’s attendance rates were poor and meant he did not achieve the GCSE grades he needed. “I was accepted onto a Level 2 course to do sport in college, and was chosen to play rugby for the college academy” he explained.

Unfortunately for Cory, an accident while playing the game he loved resulted in concussion and Cory decided he no longer wanted to be involved in sport at this level and left college.

He’s turned things around now though. He’s got a position working full time as a plumbing

apprentice with City Plumbing studying for a Level 2 qualification. He takes any overtime going and works hard and grins when he says “I really enjoy my job: I like the people I work with and while it is a challenge, I like being busy”.

Cory is also making the transition to living independently and is part of an Independent

Living Programme run by Priority Childcare at the residential home where he lives in a supported flat. In order to ensure that Cory has the knowledge and skills necessary to support him in this transition, Priority Childcare’s transition worker, Chantal Stone, is delivering Agored Cymru’s Level 2 Certificate in Skills for Independence (Moving Forward).

“The qualification covers such a lot” says Cory “and I have to provide evidence that I know about many different things”. For example contraception and sexual health checks is part of the assessment criteria. Prior to the course Cory shared that he didn’t know about all the different methods, until he had to research them and find out where he could get support locally.

Another area covered by the qualification is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). “I knew that I had rights under UNCRC as the City and County of Swansea has embedded the UNCRC into the way they set their policies. I was also aware of the Children’s Commissioner, but I didn’t know enough about my rights when I turned 18 and where I can go if my rights are being denied.”

Cory says ‘‘Some of the topics in the qualification, like housing and tenancy agreements were covered as part of his programme to move into his own fl at, the Moving Forward qualification means that I’m being accredited for learning I was doing anyway so that’s great!”

Some of the areas covered have been useful reminders for Cory “I did substance misuse and writing a CV at school in PSE lessons, but it seems like a long time ago now, my life has moved on so much.”

Cory has also learnt skills in new areas. “I’m glad I’ve got the opportunity to look at my financial education and learn about consumer rights”.

His tutor, Chantal Stone is really pleased with Cory’s progress. “Cory’s been an enthusiastic learner and is submitting some really good work of a high standard. Cory has finished the first unit and gained his Level 2 Award and is now working towards his Certificate. Many of the units for the Certificate link with work already covered for the Award, so it gives me a chance to go into more detail about things like personal relationships and citizenship.”

She adds that the qualifications have been a great way to ensure Cory continues to engage with the Independent Living Programme. Read full case study.