IF you have ever wanted to work with children, young people and their families but are not sure where to start, the Every Child Matters Careers Fair to be held on Thursday, June 8, at the Fownes Hotel, Worcester, from 10am - 4pm could be just the place to begin a new employment adventure.

The Worcester News, in association with Worcestershire County Council's Early Years and Childcare Service and its Children's Information Service, is hosting the event to give people the chance to find out more about the variety of careers available in this sector.

Event organiser, Sara Matthews from the Worcester News, said: "We are really excited about this fair which is the first of its kind in Worcestershire. On the day there will be a number of organisations on hand to offer advice and practical information about possible career paths, training, qualifications, employment opportunities, working with children with special needs and/or disabilities, the services on offer from the Early Years and Childcare Service and much more.

"We have put together a comprehensive list of over 30 exhibitors to ensure that people who visit us on the day go home with their questions answered. There are so many jobs from voluntary positions through to working in early years education, being a teaching assistant, youth work, fostering and adoption and many other opportunities are available.

"There are so many options for anyone with an interest in this area, all that information will be accessible on the day and visitors should leave with good idea of their next steps for their chosen career path."

Among the stands at Fownes Hotel will be the Worcestershire County Council's Early Years and Childcare Service, and its Children's Information Service and Recruitment team.

Andrea Williams, from the Early Years and Childcare Service, said: "We provide free and impartial information for anyone looking for a career working with children, young people and their families. We offer support throughout the recruitment process and we have had a number of success stories. We have had people register with us for our free Choices introductory programme, become a jobseeker and we have then successfully matched them to a vacancy."

The Early Years and Childcare Service is also planning to recruit play workers and volunteers to work at special needs play schemes during the school holidays.

So make sure you visit the Fownes Hotel on Thursday, June 8, and make your dreams of working with children, young people and their families, a reality.