Ellen talks about her career at Flourish Education

Flourish Education is a family run education recruitment agency. We supply schools with teachers and non- teaching candidates across the West Midlands including Coventry, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire and Stoke.

The most important part of a compliance administrator's role is safeguarding children and making sure that everybody that we're sending into schools is compliant and is safe to be working around young people. The process in order to get to this point involves obtaining up-to-date references, a valid DBS check and the relevant documents that we need to see. This includes proof of the right to work in the UK, proof of qualifications, proof of any name changes, proof of address and so on. It's important for candidates to provide all of these original documents at the interview/registration phase in order to clear them for work as soon as possible.

Q1. What’s your story/background?

When I left sixth form college, I started on a Level 3 Business and Administration apprenticeship whilst working for the Birmingham City Council. I picked up a lot of skills during the apprenticeship which helped me gain future employment.

After the apprenticeship, I soon realised that I wanted to work with children, so I enrolled on another apprenticeship. I studied for a Level 3 in Supporting and Learning Children whilst working in a nursery. I continued to work at the nursery after completing the apprenticeship for nearly two years, working with children aged between 0-5 years of age.

The work was very rewarding but I wanted to change my career after having my son. I started looking for other jobs and found the Compliance Administrator vacancy, and of course, I'm happy to say that I got the job.

Q2. What motivates you and why?

Overcoming a challenge motivates me, both day-to-day and long-term - it a gives me a great deal of satisfaction when I find a solution to a problem or tick off one of my goals.

Q3. What do you like about working at Flourish Education?

I really enjoy working at Flourish Education because there are opportunities for me to grow, expand my skills and progress within my career.

Q4. How can you help candidates find a job?

My main role is to enable candidates to start on a placement as quickly as possible. I do this by ensuring that we have received all of their relevant documents and obtained their work references in order for them to complete the compliance process.

Q5. What area and roles do you specialise in?

I am the Flourish Education Compliance Administrator for the Birmingham, Coventry and Worcester teams.

Q6. What advice do you have for candidates in their education career?

If I had to offer any piece of advice, I would recommend that candidates try to always give their very best and to say yes to any career enhancing opportunity that arises.

Q7. What are your Interests and hobbies outside of work?

I like to spend time dining out with my family and friends - I am a big fan of tapas. Moseley Village is one of my favourite places to enjoy good grub.