Laura enrolled onto the level 4 Leadership and Management qualification in October of 2022. Laura has worked in Youth service for Flintshire County Council for a long time, progressing her career and wanted this qualification to be able to support her staff and to gain a greater understanding of the management requirements for supporting staff and for the development of the service itself. Laura is now at the final stage of her qualification and says: ‘Thank you Gaynor for discussing the Level 5 and the planned time for the final unit for Level 4. I feel that the Level 4 course has helped me to grow in confidence and allowed me to think differently during strategic meetings. I have found myself using things I have learnt from Gaynor and Peter during meetings, when speaking to colleagues and also when motivating staff I manage. It has given me a different way of looking at things, given me more ideas and more confidence to speak about these and for me to be involved with the strategic directions of the service and offer solutions.’

Laura is keen to progress onto Level 5 in the Autumn to further her understanding of the strategic aspects of management and leadership.

Laura’s line manager said: ‘Laura, I was so interested to read your comments above.  Everything you have identified in terms of skills and knowledge gained on this course I have seen very tangibly in your everyday work.  I have seen your confidence grow, but also, you're understanding of how face to face delivery impacts on the strategic aims of the service.  This knowledge will not only enhance your work but will benefit the service, thank you.  I know youth work and quality of delivery is a passion to you and seeing you gain a deeper understanding of how decisions made at a strategic level impact across all areas of the service I know will enable you to progress your career - and we are very lucky that you have chosen to do this within Flintshire Youth service