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AIBU?

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Original poster

Qualifications help

10 replies

Helpneeded1995 · 06/07/2024 15:23

I know this is not a AIBU post just know this place has more traffic.

I just need to ask if anyone could help me, I'm in my early 40s married with children that have significant disabilities.

I did work before they were born but only in really low paid jobs and because they both need a lot of my time I haven't been able to work for quite some time.

My youngest who is still in primary is atm very part time, they have an EHCP and atm we have just got extra funding for a bespoke package so I am hoping that will help.

I would really like to do some online learning to help me build up a portfolio to help me back into work when the time comes to be able to.
I want to volunteer as well so it gets me some practical knowledge and also some confidence.
I would like to work with familes like myself that have needed support from services with disabled family members or challenging home lives.

My question is I had a really poor start to life and I was in care until I was 17, I do not have any of my qualification certificates as my forster carer never gave them to me when I left and as I am now obviously in my 40s it is probably going to be really hard to source them.
Does any one know how I can go about getting them please?

OP posts:
mitogoshi · 06/07/2024 15:31

If you can remember what board your qualifications were you can get duplicates, your old school may have records too. I had to get duplicates.

I would look at what courses you can do to prepare you to do this kind of work eg I did a free counselling course via the job centre which you do online around otter commitments

BobbyBiscuits · 06/07/2024 15:32

The institutions you obtained them from would be a good place to start. I must add, I don't have many qualifications but the certificates for the ones I possess are long gone. I've certainly never been asked to produce them. I'm in my 40s and last qualifications was aged 16!
Contact the school/college/uni about getting the paperwork, but there's a heavy chance you won't need it for much. Just saying you have it could easily suffice if it was many years ago.

JC03745 · 06/07/2024 15:34

Sounds like you had a tough start OP.

Are they school certificates you mean or from a uni/college type place? I assume you'd start by contacting them to and ask if they retained any records. Do you have any contact with any siblings that still live/have contact with the foster carers? Have you checked what qualifications the course you want to do asks for? As a mature student, you might find a certificate from school 30yrs ago is not required.

You haven't said which course you plan to do, but the NHS run a over 300 apprenticeships- from entry grade to senior manager. Are you thinking social work/social services/disability nursing?

LifeIsGreatForUnicorns · 06/07/2024 15:36

The only qualifications you really need to start anywhere is your L2 maths and English (gcse c or grade 4)
If you don’t have the certificates
for them, you can retake a Functional Skills course which is the adult equivalent…
These are generally free of charge and can be done at local colleges and/or online.
there are a whole host of free L2 Courses online - just have a search

Original poster
Helpneeded1995 · 06/07/2024 15:36

Thank you, I just want to feel like me again (love my children dearly but its lost me as a person over the years) and be able to help others and myself in the process.
Give a little back so to speak.

OP posts:
combinationpadlock · 06/07/2024 15:39

contact social services, and ask them where your educational records are. They should have a record of what board you used, and what grade you got. You could ask social services to provide duplicates - as they lost the originals! Or contact the boards yourself for duplicates

Original poster
Helpneeded1995 · 06/07/2024 15:52

combinationpadlock · 06/07/2024 15:39

contact social services, and ask them where your educational records are. They should have a record of what board you used, and what grade you got. You could ask social services to provide duplicates - as they lost the originals! Or contact the boards yourself for duplicates

I think after 25 years SS don't have your records anymore.

OP posts:
Original poster
Helpneeded1995 · 06/07/2024 16:18

Actually just looked and it's a 100 years (wow) so I will contact SS.
Thank you all.

OP posts:
Original poster
Helpneeded1995 · 06/07/2024 18:06

JC03745 · 06/07/2024 15:34

Sounds like you had a tough start OP.

Are they school certificates you mean or from a uni/college type place? I assume you'd start by contacting them to and ask if they retained any records. Do you have any contact with any siblings that still live/have contact with the foster carers? Have you checked what qualifications the course you want to do asks for? As a mature student, you might find a certificate from school 30yrs ago is not required.

You haven't said which course you plan to do, but the NHS run a over 300 apprenticeships- from entry grade to senior manager. Are you thinking social work/social services/disability nursing?

I would love to be a family support worker or something along that line.
It was school and collage, I left care when I was 17 and unfortunately the carer does not live in my town any longer and I don't know where they are and I have no contact with any body else.
Unfortunately when you leave care your pretty much on your own (back then anyway) I left with black bags and that was it.
I have done extremely well considering but I just want to do something for me and have a bit of self purpose.

OP posts:
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