Witham teen secures dream job and proves college wrong

Paige Smith, 18, has long been passionate about helping elderly people and building a career in health and social care. She has also spoken publicly about living with mental health-related seizures and raising awareness of the challenges they bring.

In the 2024/25 academic year, Paige enrolled at Colchester Institute to study Health and Social Care Level 1.

Her family said the college was made aware at enrolment that she had special educational needs and experienced mental health seizures. Paige went on to complete the year with distinctions.

After a year at Chelmsford College to complete her Maths and English qualifications, she reapplied to Colchester Institute to study Health and Social Care Level 2.

Paige received provisional acceptance and attended an induction in July.

Support - Mum Natalie Smith (left) believed all Paige needed was for someone to give her a chance (Image: Natalie Smith)

Mum Natalie Smith said: "When she applied, she made them aware of her issues which haven't changed since she first joined there.

"At her induction in July, staff told her she was one of the strongest students they had."

Paige began the course on September 3. However, after the transition back into education following four months away from college, her anxiety was high and she experienced a seizure on the first day.

The family said the college reviewed her risk assessment and arranged a meeting on September 10, which they believed would focus on how she could be supported during the course.

Instead, Paige and her mother were told she would be withdrawn.

Mrs Smith said: "They said because of her mental health and special needs, they categorically stated she will never ever get a place in her choice of field, which is care homes.

"Paige said, 'You haven't even given me a chance to see whether or not I can do this'. She ended up leaving the room because she got too upset.

“I was feeling very angry. Because of something she has no control over, you’re taking that away from her.”

Statement - Colchester Institute said the safety and wellbeing of all its learners is a top priority (Image: Colchester Institute)

Responding to the Gazette, Colchester Institute said it is unable to comment on the specific circumstances of an individual’s learning, but the safety and wellbeing of all learners remains a top priority.

"We are committed to giving every learner the opportunity to achieve and progress, while taking account of their individual needs across all aspects of their study programme, including college attendance, external work placements and any additional support required,” a spokesperson said.

"Where we are unable to offer a suitable programme of study, we provide independent careers advice and guidance to help learners explore appropriate alternative options."

A formal letter from the college explained that an admissions review panel had concluded it would be difficult to put suitable adjustments in place and could not support her continued enrolment.

For Paige, the decision was devastating.

"They made me feel like I was nothing," she said.

"Like I would never be able to do anything. Like my life was over because of these illnesses I have got.

"I want to let people know that it’s not their fault."

Awareness - Paige wants to tell people that their needs and illnesses are not their fault, and that they can still achieve their dreams (Image: Natalie Smith)

Within days, her fortunes changed.

Paige approached St George's Employment Agency in Witham and explained what had happened and her needs.

The next day, the agency arranged a full-time placement and supported her through training to qualify for work in care homes.

Paige passed her online assessment and examinations earlier this week. On Wednesday, she was formally offered a job supporting elderly people in care homes and in their own homes, with adjustments in place to meet her needs.

"I felt wanted," Paige said. "I felt there was finally someone that saw me for me and not my seizures or my mental health."

Natalie added: "We are overwhelmingly proud of her. We are over the moon.

"All she needed was someone to give her a chance to prove that she’s more than just her issues. Even with all the mental health needs and what she continues to go through, she can still do it.”