Case Study

Chanel-Monét’s picture-perfect role

8 Apr. 2026

With her love of shopping, creative flair, and background as a fashion designer, Chanel-Monét embraces the artistry her name suggests. Yet that’s only part of the picture: after originally training to be an actor, the 34 year-old has built an impressively diverse career – from security officer, youth worker, and concierge, to investment advisor, trainer, and coach. It was a versatile mix of skills Ingeus was keen to capitalise on.  

After being unemployed for a year, Chanel-Monét joined the Restart Scheme in Birmingham for help in finding her next step in late 2024. At her very first appointment, her Restart Advisor, Tia, recognised she had the perfect skill set to offer Ingeus. With help to tailor her CV and with Tia’s encouragement, just three months later and at her second attempt, Chanel-Monét was recruited as a Restart Advisor.  
 
“Initially arriving as a participant, the Restart Centre was bright and colourful, there was a buzz in the atmosphere,” says Chanel-Monét, who also finds time to volunteer at her mosque’s youth group. “I love passing that positive vibe on to others now.” 

True to form, she didn’t stand still for long as a promotion to become an Ingeus employability trainer beckoned in late 2025.  

Drawing on her coaching expertise, Chanel-Monét was successful and now creates and delivers a range of employability workshops. Delivering more than 30 sessions a week, she expertly walks through job search techniques, interview skills, confidence building, and support for parents and carers with groups of up to 20 Restart Scheme participants – and makes a point of learning everyone’s names. 

“As a Restart Advisor I enjoyed the time I spent getting to know individual participants, finding the key to unlock their interests and confidence,” she adds. “I even helped someone find a great role within Ingeus, like Tia did for me. I work with larger groups now and it makes me so proud to be making a difference to so many other people’s lives. It’s very fulfilling.  

“Ingeus is a great place to work. From my onboarding to career progression, everyone supports you. Ingeus values people and the strength of human connections. My first appointment here enabled me to do something I love; I hope the participants I now see have a similar experience.  

“I’ve had various roles and it was hard when some of them didn’t work out but I’ve always enjoyed helping people and that’s just gone from strength to strength at Ingeus. I’ve realised it’s OK not to stick with one thing, it’s good to adapt and change, to have different experiences. I’m thankful for them and I’m not done yet. There’s always opportunities to progress at Ingeus, and I certainly hope to – again.” 

Ingeus delivers the Restart Scheme on behalf of Serco across Birmingham and Dudley. Anyone requiring employability support should enquire to join the programme via their Jobcentre Plus work coach. Or see where your skills could take you with a career at Ingeus, here: Search Ingeus Career Opportunities | Ingeus