Andrea Whittaker

About Me

I completed my Level 4 Advice and Guidance qualification in 2004 whilst working for a supported employment service whereby I worked with young people with a wide range of disabilities.

In 2006, I started working with young people, for the old Connexions service. During this time, I worked in FE colleges, mainstream school and special schools with young people of a wide range of abilites, including those with SEND, carrying out careers guidance interviews, group sessions and attending reviews. I also had a caseload of NEET young people that I supported to get into EET.

I completed a Level 6 Certificates in Professional Development for Careers Guidance Professionals in 2012. 

For the past seven years, I have worked for Blackburn with Darwen Council for the New Directions Careers Service. Our client group is young people aged 14-19 and young people with SEND up to the age of 24.  I provide support to young people in both a special school and  mainstream schools, attending SEND reviews and carrying out careers guidance interviews. I have a caseload of NEET young people that I am supporting to find education, work or training. As a team, we also offer appointments to NEET young people at various children's centres throughout Blackburn with Darwen.

I have a particular interest in working with young people with SEND and have a lot of experience in working with this client group. Over the past year, I have completed the CDI Professional Certificate in Supporting Clients with Additional Needs. I found this really beneficial and feel that it will help me to improve my practice.