Case studies

See what our staff have to say about life at the council.

Lynsey Taggart

Lynsey Taggart

Sales and marketing officer

Get a qualification while working full time

If you want to get a highly-regarded qualification while still working full time, the council encourages all staff to consider an apprenticeship. The council works with a number of training providers and offers apprenticeships, funded by their Apprenticeship Levy, across a range of disciplines to encourage staff to continue learning and developing in the workplace. Lynsey Taggart, assistant sales and marketing officer in the supplies and procurement team, is doing just that. The level 6 supply chain leadership professional degree apprenticeship, in conjunction with the University of Hull and while she is still working, will give her a highly regarded qualification.

“My apprenticeship is going really well and it’s designed to align with my work-based projects as well as providing me with essential knowledge that I need to progress in my role. I’m keen to progress in my career so my training is ideal to combine workplace learning opportunities with the theoretical knowledge that I’m gaining through my university classes and webinars which are all relevant to my role at the council. Managers are fully supportive and have been with me every step of the way.

“From a personal perspective my confidence has increased and I feel that my communication and presentation skills have all improved significantly. I’ve even had the opportunity to be a guest speaker at this year’s Business Week to talk about my apprenticeship. For anybody thinking about taking an apprenticeship I’d say go for it! Find out as much as you can before applying. Attend open days with your work-based mentor and speak to other students in the council who’ve already taken part.”

Terri Hutchinson

Terri Hutchinson

Social worker

It is my vocation

Whether you are looking for a change of career or you know somebody who is considering a career as a children and families social worker, don’t ignore the opportunities available at East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

“I can really say that social work is my vocation. I worked as a support service assistant for the council and although I enjoyed the role I had aspirations to become a social worker. I retrained, obtaining a BA in social work, and secured a placement in the Haltemprice children’s safeguarding team. The placement was challenging, but every day was rewarding. I was delighted when I secured a permanent social worker position and I can really say that this is my vocation.”

Georgia Mountford

Georgia Mountford

Deputy registrar

An amazing privilege

“We have the amazing privilege of being part of people’s lives at the most important times. We help to create wonderful memories and also to make a difficult time that little bit more bearable. Whilst doing this we are creating records which will hopefully provide future generations a valuable insight into our momentous moments.”

Georgia joined the council’s registration and celebratory service a year ago as a deputy registrar.

Olivia Northrop

Olivia Northrop

Archives trainee

Olivia’s traineeship with the archives service

The council’s nationally accredited East Riding archives team in the Treasure House in Beverley is hosting Olivia Northrop, who has been seconded from The National Archives (her employers) on a traineeship called Bridging the Digital Gap for 15 months until early 2021.

Along with other trainees around Yorkshire on the scheme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Olivia is looking for a future role in arts, culture and heritage. She told us that this is a great starting position for her, as jobs in archives are difficult to get, and this traineeship required no previous archives experience.

Olivia explained: "I help look after digital originals of archive materials, or make digital copies of originals. This position represents a technical approach, reflecting the fact that more and more archives need to be digital these days."

She works with digital archivist Sam Bartle, and says her traineeship is structured like a course, with modules and projects. For example, she is playing a key role in the 'Trawling Through Time' project, turning giant plans of ships built at Beverley into digital files, which are in great demand from model makers. Olivia is also working on the 'What Was Here' app project, which uses historical photos from the archives, plotted onto a Google Maps base map, to show users ‘what was here’ at their location and elsewhere across East Yorkshire. She said: "It’s really exciting to work on live heritage and history projects, and there’s a real sense of achievement in creating projects like these. I feel honoured to work for The National Archives and to be placed at this council."

Sam Bartle added: "Olivia has shown real passion for learning about the work we do on digital preservation and engagement with archival heritage. The coming year will be very exciting as she begins work on new projects with our digital archives."

Liz Smithson

Strategic business development and commissioning manager

Every day is different

If you want a career where you can progress and get an enormous sense of personal achievement from knowing you are helping other people, then adult social care may be for you.

“With a steady demand for workers, plenty of opportunities for progression and a job in which 96% of workers said that they feel their work makes a difference, adult social care has lots to offer. Working in adult social care is about providing personal and practical support to help people live their lives. It’s about supporting them to maintain their independence, dignity and control. One of the biggest benefits of working in care is diversity and variety. Whatever role you go into, you’ll constantly be introduced to new environments, meet new people and do different tasks as part of your day-to-day role.”

John Hookem

Support worker at Miller’s Day Centre

The best career change I’ve made

“My career change was accidental, but it’s the best change I have made and has changed my life for the better. I now jump out of bed in the morning, ready for another day ahead. I have a great job working with great people and every day is different and rewarding. I previously worked in leisure services and have been able to transfer my existing skills of promoting good customer service and the benefits of promoting exercise and fitness to help with the health and wellbeing of the people I work with. I have never looked back.”

Nicola Lynn

Area manager

Challenging, but extremely rewarding

Whether you are looking for a change of career or you know somebody who is considering a career as a children and families social worker, don’t ignore the opportunities available at East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

“Children’s social work is a challenging field, dealing with sensitive issues and difficult times for families. However, it’s also extremely rewarding. There are many reasons to choose a career in children’s social work. Having the ability to keep a child safe or a family together is a wonderful thing. Many of our social workers came into the profession in later life, as mature students after feeling unfulfilled in their previous roles. If you have a desire to retrain and change career paths or build on the valuable skills you already have, a career as a children’s social worker could be the right choice for you.”

Elizabeth Sharp

Superintendent registrar

Far from a nine-to-five job

“The East Riding registration and celebratory service performs all statutory registration duties required by law, including births, marriages and deaths, with the aim of providing a friendly and supportive service during some of the most important moments of people’s lives.

The service’s staff are from various walks of life and, while some may not have thought of pursuing a career in registration, once in, many do not want to leave the profession. Working in this service is far from a regular nine-to-five job, with every day being different. The registration service is always evolving and that is the most challenging but also the most energising part of the job.”

Press release

January 2020

Staff achieve nationally recognised apprenticeship qualifications

Staff from across the council and in schools have successfully completed their apprenticeship qualifications over the last two years. The council’s Apprenticeship Levy can be used to pay for apprenticeship qualifications for both new and existing staff, with dozens achieving nationally recognised qualifications while carrying out their day job – a testament to their commitment and their desire to strengthen their skills and knowledge. Qualifications are available in a wide range of subjects and levels, including entry Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE) to Level 7 (Masters).

Anna Bennett, senior organisational development officer who manages the council’s levy account, said: “Apprenticeships have changed in recent years and people may not be aware that anyone of any age can undertake one. “An apprenticeship offers a unique training and development opportunity. As a learner myself, I found the apprenticeship very hands-on. As well as writing assignments, I was often observed as I carried out my daily duties and talked about how I handled certain situations. It may appear daunting but I found this reflective learning style very beneficial. I have shared my learning with colleagues which has not only built my confidence but demonstrated genuine learning of the subject.”

The council actively promotes apprenticeship training to all staff.