Paige Smith secures care career after college dispute

Paige Smith, an 18-year-old student, has secured a career in health and social care despite being told by the Colchester Institute that she would ‘never ever’ succeed in the field.

Smith, who has been vocal about living with mental health-related seizures, previously completed a Level 1 Health and Social Care course with distinctions. After obtaining further qualifications at Chelmsford College, she reapplied to the Colchester Institute for a Level 2 course.

Her family reports that following a seizure on her first day of the new term, the college held a meeting that resulted in her being withdrawn from the course. Her mother, Natalie Smith, stated that staff told them Smith would never be able to work in care homes due to her special educational needs and mental health issues.