Sonya Whaites

About Me

I work as a Training and Learning Officer for New Directions - Careers Guidance Team, as part of Blackburn with Darwen Council. I hold a L6 in Advice and Guidance, along with a Stage One in Further Education Teaching and a Degree in Community and Youth Studies. I have over 15 years' experience of working with both adults and young people with complex needs, giving them accurate and impartial information, advice and guidance. 

I have worked with New Directions for over 3 years and support young people from 13 to 19 years old. I have experience of working in both mainstream and SEND schools, Pupil Referral Units, colleges and training providers and various settings within the community on a one-to-one and group work basis. 

As part of my role I also do commissioned work for the local Youth Offending Team and hold a caseload of young people that come through the system. We work as a multi-agency service to support these young people by helping with job searching and applications, writing CVs, interview skills, liasing with local provision and attending appointments, to ensure we support them back into EET.