Rachael Paterson recently graduated with a 2.2 honors degree in Politics and Psychology. She currently works part-time as a support worker. Her dissertation focused on offending rates among women in Scotland. She has an HNC in Counseling and experience working with people from various backgrounds. As a volunteer from ages 12 to 18, she organized sports and youth clubs to keep young people active and out of trouble, including activities at a prison. She is looking for a full-time role in social care or the justice system where she can apply her skills and continue developing professionally.

1. Supporting Statement
I have recently graduated University with a 2.2 honours degree in Politics and Psychology at
the University of the West of Scotland. I currently have a part time job as a support worker
for Turning Point Scotland’s Mile End Project. I originally started out in a degree in Social
Science which was narrowed down to Politics and Psychology, with this I have experience
and passed classes in Social Policy, Sociology and also Economics. My fourth year
dissertation was on offending rates amongst women in Scotland and looking into what the
government is and should doing to help reduce this problem. Whilst writing my dissertation
it has allowed me to speak with various people about this topic and also allowed me to visit
prisons which gave me a great insight into the justice system.
Before starting at university I gained an HNC in Counseling, this taught me a lot and gave me
a lot of skills which I took away from it such as, empathy etc. I am enthusiastic, a good
listener and I am non judgmental and I love to work with people and have experience in
working with others from all backgrounds.
From when I was around 12 to 18 I was in a committee Chose Sport First which we
organized sporting events, clubs and nights for 12-24 year olds, an example of this was the
Midnight, football leagues and youth clubs. The purpose of these was to help keep young
people of the street, keep healthy and out of trouble. With the youth clubs we visited
Glenochil prison where we done sporting activities with the prisoners to help them with
their qualifications. I feel like I have various experience and knowledge about the criminal
justice system. I am confident and a people person, I have various transferable skills from
volunteering positions and studying my HNC in counseling.
I am looking to secure a full time position in the Social Care and Justice System, where I feel
I can bring my skills and knowledge and also hope to develop my skills even further.
Thank You
Rachael Paterson