Five Rivers Child Care: Supporting local schools with Mock Interviews

Wednesday 24 June 2026
Last updated: Tuesday 23 June 2026

Having a clear understanding of workplace expectations can transform the course of a young person’s life. For the past two years, we have supported mock interviews at a local school. We encourage students and give them interview advice and experience to prepare them for future interviews.

Our Talent Acquisition team recently worked with Stonehenge School in Amesbury to provide mock interviews to their pupils. These interviews bring parents, employers, and educators together. They support young people and help them understand employment expectations. They also help students move into work after leaving school.

During these sessions we focused on preparing students for life after school. Through mock interviews, we give students insight into what it’s like to work within the childcare sector. With Five Rivers’ expertise across childcare services, our Talent Acquisition team highlighted that a career in childcare encompasses a wide range of opportunities and were able to provide insight into each of these areas.

“Many young people do not realise their worth. Days like this motivate and empower them. We are telling them how brilliant they are.

This is also a chance for many young people who want to work with children to learn what Five Rivers offers. We talk to them about how we can support them with qualifications. We also guide them on what professional qualifications they may need.

The day is incredibly rewarding, seeing how we have made an impact on children and young people. There were lots of smiles afterwards and for me personally it empowered and motivated me.” – Caroline Olive, Talent Acquisition and People Services Manager

At Five Rivers, we believe young people benefit from hearing directly from employers and professionals, which is why we actively take time out to support our local community and schools. Our Talent Acquisition Team was invited to conduct realistic interviews with students. For many young people, this was their first time sitting in a formal interview setting. While interviews can feel scary for some, the team specifically designed the sessions to feel supportive, constructive, and confidence-building.

We gave students the opportunity to practice answering questions, presenting themselves professionally, and communicating their strengths. During the day we made sure to give each student immediate feedback which helped them understand what employers are looking for, giving them valuable insight into how to improve.

Through guided discussions, students began to recognise that experiences gained through school projects, sports, volunteering or extracurricular activities all demonstrated valuable workplace skills.

The value of these conversations cannot be underestimated; students left feeling reassured that they had many routes to success. As we look back on this event’s success, we stay committed to supporting programmes that create real social impact. Empowering young people with skills, confidence, and knowledge for the future is a valuable investment.

We are very proud to have supported this initiative. We look forward to continuing to champion opportunities that connect education with real work. We want to ensure that young people are not only prepared for the future but inspired by the possibilities ahead.