Volunteering in schools with no work history

[MissPrimaryCrafts]

Hi, sorry for the long one

My partner and I have been together a decade and he wants to start volunteering in schools. During this time he dropped out of uni and hasn't worked (I support us) due to depression/anxiety.

He has worked really hard to get to a good place mentally and wants to start working now. Since I've started teaching we call him my 'at home TA' as he loves helping with projects for the classroom.

He is smart, thoughtful, and wonderful with children. He wants to start volunteering in a school while he works towards a supporting teaching NVQ to become a TA.

However I'm worried about how he'll be viewed by a school, as a 27year old with no work history. How would he explain it? Would they be put off knowing he has been working through depression? Is there hope he can pursue this?

Might an interim step be to volunteer elsewhere first ?
Youth organisations would be a great step in, but, to be honest, anything that shows regular commitment, and interacting with other people.

Scouts, Cadets, Boys Brigade, Football or Rugby clubs, etc ?

School staff are so busy, any volunteers have to be really helpful, and not need support from the school staff, so I can understand there might be a cooler welcome towards someone with no work history at 27.

Could he volunteer at your school?
At the moment we aren't allowing any in because of covid, but that could be a foot in the door?
We are grateful for anyone that will read with the children, I'm not sure we ask for work history, especially as many of our parents don't have any!

I definitely don't think they would be put off by him working through his depression, that is a massive step! Could he consider doing a TA qualification? That way he could not only help in the classroom, but get paid while doing so! The suggestions about Scouts etc above are also great. There are also positions like learning mentors etc which may not require a degree, if I recall correctly.

@EllieNBeeb

I definitely don't think they would be put off by him working through his depression, that is a massive step! Could he consider doing a TA qualification? That way he could not only help in the classroom, but get paid while doing so! The suggestions about Scouts etc above are also great. There are also positions like learning mentors etc which may not require a degree, if I recall correctly.

Thanks, yes I've suggested he could do an NVQ in supporting teaching and learning while he volunteers in a school. Just worried that we'll pay for it and he'll work hard to get it, then schools may be put off by the lack of work history when it comes to actually applying for the jobs

I saw something about free quals for anyone 19+, would any of these be relevant? www.gov.uk/guidance/free-courses-for-jobs

[quote EllieNBeeb]I saw something about free quals for anyone 19+, would any of these be relevant? www.gov.uk/guidance/free-courses-for-jobs[/quote]
Oh that looks good! Not sure he'd qualify as he has A levels but I will look into it, thanks