Meet Jennie

After 20 years of working part-time hours to fit around her family, Jennie decided that the time was right to start putting herself first. Finding a full-time job that ticked all her boxes wasn’t easy, but when she saw an advert for an Inclusive Employment Job Coach with ECL, she knew she’d struck gold…

There are so many different avenues to explore at ECL 

While raising her family, Jennie worked part-time in insurance, as a teaching assistant, and as a support worker for adults with learning disabilities. While she’d enjoyed aspects of each of these roles, none of them were careers she considered pursuing once her children had grown up and she had the opportunity to focus on what she wanted to do next.

After a lot of searching, she came across an advert for an Inclusive Employment Job Coach with ECL and was instantly drawn to it. “I’d spent 20 years fitting work in around my family,” says Jennie, “so when I finally had the chance to go back to full-time hours, I knew it needed to be doing something that I wanted. The Job Coach position seemed ideal – it offered hybrid working and was the perfect mix of providing customer-focused support, with some administrative duties thrown in.”

Jennie was invited for an interview and felt comfortable enough to disclose that she is autistic and has ADHD which can make her feel anxious in certain situations. She says, “I had a really positive feeling about the role from the outset and was able to be open and honest during my interview without any fear of judgment, which only added to that. I was overjoyed when I heard I’d been offered the job!”

Jennie completed a two-week induction period that involved in-person training sessions, online learning, and meetings with management and fellow new joiners before getting started. Next, she was allocated a buddy to support her day-to-day and it was made clear that she could call on any of the team should she need to. Jennie says, “People were so friendly and welcoming and even now are always open to help. We’re only a small team, but it’s so unusual to find a workplace where everyone is genuinely warm and approachable.”

The support she received inspired Jennie to go for a promotion within a year of joining ECL. She’s now progressed to Inclusive Employment Consultant and has started studying for a Level 3 Diploma in British association for supported employment. Jennie says, “There are so many different avenues to explore at ECL, and with the company continuing to expand, there are always opportunities for progression. I’ve already learnt so much and I would encourage anyone looking for a new challenge to consider applying. You’ll be given comprehensive training, work with an incredibly supportive team, and have the chance to change people’s lives for the better. I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.”