Welfare and housing associate professionals n.e.c.

You may be able to apply to do a Revenues and Welfare Benefits Practitioner Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

This is sometimes offered by organisations like housing associations and local councils.

You can apply to an advice agency for a range of different jobs, or for a trainee position.

Experience of supporting people with welfare rights issues can be helpful, for example:

• working out eligibility for support
• making claims
• challenging decisions

Personal experience of dealing with the benefits system can also be useful.

A background in working with the public may also give you an advantage.

This might include:

• advice roles with a local council or Jobcentre Plus
• tenancy support roles, for example with housing associations
• work in the legal or finance professions
• community outreach
• care support work or counselling

Once working, your employer will give you training in welfare rights advice.

A course in health and social care would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job.

You can gain some of the skills and knowledge you need through an Adult Care Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

You could then do further training on the job or through an independent training provider.

You do not need formal qualifications to become a celebrant though training may help your career prospects.

You can search online for celebrancy training providers that offer courses in wedding, funeral and naming ceremonies. Some courses also allow you to complete a nationally recognised qualification in celebrancy.

Courses vary in length, cost and entry requirements, so it's important to do your research to find a course that is right for you.

Excellent organisational skills and sensitivity to people's emotions when planning and conducting ceremonies is very important. You'll also need the ability to speak confidently in public and bring out participants' life stories in an engaging way.

Experience in wedding or event planning may be helpful but is not essential.

You could do a college course to get some of the skills you'll need as a learning mentor. Courses include:

• Level 2 Award in Mentoring
• Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
• T Level in Education and Early Years

You could do a Learning and Skills Mentor Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

This takes a minimum of 12 months to complete.

You'll need GCSEs in English and maths to apply for jobs and most colleges offer these if you do not already have them.

Taking a course in public services or youth work practice might also give you some understanding of the justice system, though this is not essential.

You may be able to start as a case administrator in a probation office, then do on-the-job training to become a probation services officer.

You can apply directly for job vacancies with probation services.

You'll usually need:

• experience of working with vulnerable people or people who have challenging behaviour
• excellent communications skills
• a minimum of 5 GCSEs or equivalent qualifications, including English and maths

You can get experience through volunteering or paid work with charities that support ex-offenders, or by contacting your local probation service for opportunities.

If you're successful with your application, you'll train on the job. You'll do the Level 3 Diploma in Probation Practice during your first 12 months to qualify as a probation services officer.

You can do a college course in health and social care which may help when you look for work.

You could apply to do an apprenticeship in care or youth work to get experience of working with vulnerable adults, children or young people.

These include:

• Health and Social Care Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
• Adult Care Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Youth Support Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Early Intervention Practitioner Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Children, Young People and Families Practitioner Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

You could then do a social worker degree apprenticeship once you have experience.

Volunteering with an organisation that works with vulnerable people is a good way to get into this type of work. Charities like Victim Support offer different roles, depending on what you want to do. You can also search for volunteering opportunities in support work through Do It and NCVO.

To volunteer in a victim care role, you’ll need:

• to be 18 or over
• to be of good character
• a caring nature and non-judgemental attitude

As a volunteer, you'll receive training, which will help you to develop your communication and listening skills, as well as the knowledge and understanding required to support victims of crime.

You may need between 1 and 2 years' experience as a volunteer before being able to apply for paid work.

You can apply directly for jobs if you have experience from related work, like:

• social services, working with vulnerable adults or children
• community or advice work
• counselling

Experience of working in the justice system, for instance with the police, courts or prisons, would also be useful.