Gemma Button

Children, Young People and Families Manager Level 5 Apprentice, Action for Children

Gemma is a team leader, working at a residential short break service for children with disabilities, having just completed her Level 5 Children, Young People and Families Manager apprenticeship. This service is run by UK children’s charity, Action for Children; a company dedicated to safeguarding and aiding children and young people. Offering both practical and emotional care and support, ensuring their voices are heard and actively campaign for lasting improvements in children’s lives.

As a Team Leader working at these short break services; Gemma helps to offer opportunities and experiences to children with disabilities, as well as support for their families feeling strained by their circumstances, and supporting her team and colleagues to provide a high-quality of care for children and their families. These services are designed to offer children with disabilities a platform to enjoy themselves and enhance their independence. They provide invaluable opportunities for trying new experiences and forming friendships. Gemma and her team help children and young people build the confidence to lead their own lives, including teaching or helping with life skills, friendships, community activities, getting around and celebrating the small steps; supporting young people to reach their full potential.

The piece of advice I always stand by is you don’t know unless you try, and with the right support and with the right approach, you can really achieve anything.

Gemma’s thoughts on her apprenticeship

Action for Children is an organization that is very good at promoting continual professional development and progression, and there’s a devoted learning and development team to support everyone with their career journeys. The apprenticeship with Paragon Skills has helped me develop professionally because for me personally, it evidences that I have the base knowledge and skills to support my role. For me, this experience has highlighted the value of my years spent in residential childcare. It has helped me to connect this experience with my learning, leadership, and management skills. It’ssupported me to connect these dots of my professional journey.

The piece of advice I always stand by is you don’t know unless you try. I think quite often you can surprise yourself. If you are unsure that you have the skills or the knowledge, you can really surprise yourself with how much you can learn and grow personally and professionally. with the right support and with the right approach, from your employer, colleagues and personal tutor, you can really achieve anything.

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