A group of South Essex graduates are celebrating after becoming the first-ever students to complete foundation degrees in Therapeutic Communication and Therapeutic Organizations at the University of Essex’s Southend Campus.

The 13 graduates work in schools, colleges and in care roles across South Essex and undertook the two-year vocational degree at the University’s Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies to build-up their skills for working with children and adolescents with special educational, social and emotional needs.

Kay, an area supervisor at Cecil Jones College in Southend, said the course had had an immediate impact on her work: “As I progressed through the course my job roles have changed and what I learnt I have been able to put into practice in the workplace. This has been picked up by the senior leadership team which shows how beneficial the course has been to me.

“It has opened my own inner world up to look at the whole picture not just what is immediately facing you.

“The course being on my doorstep at Southend made it much easier to access and complete the degree course. “

Elaine Ashdown works at Hadleigh Junior School as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) and is now getting ready to complete another year at University so she can gain a BA: “I have gained a better understanding of how I perceive others and how I respond to them and also it has helped me to have a deeper insight into children’s behaviour at school so I understand the reasons behind it.

“My long term plan has always been to become a teacher and by doing this degree I am one step nearer to achieving my goal.

“I have had a fantastic time doing this degree. I have met some wonderful people from the course who have now become lifetime friends”

Pauline Saunders works at Beauchamps High School in Wickford as a Senior Leaning Support Assistant with HLTA status and said she now had a better insight into how to work with both students and fellow staff: “I gained a lot of knowledge and information about myself and why people behave in the manner that they do,

“I also gained insight into organisations and the emotions that are stored up between the staff working there.

“I hope to be able to use my degree in the workplace and maybe become a Learning Mentor.”