HAVING her first child at 17, meant university was not an option for Emma Kierans, but now the mother of three is heading to uni and hopes to land her dream job.

Emma, 37, has decided now is her time and has enrolled on a Foundation Degree in Criminology and Sociology at UCLan in Burnley.

She will go on to do a three-year degree course and the ultimate goal is to become a probation officer and work with under-25s.

She said: “I want to be the person that helps to make at least one person’s life that little bit better.”

For the past two years, Emma, from Bacup, has been a team leader with cleaning company Bright and Beautiful Rossendale, Bury and Bolton, based in Rawtenstall.

The job played to her strengths as a self-confessed ‘clean freak’ and also boosted her confidence. It enabled her to have a work-life balance as company owner Nicola Bailey offers flexible working.

Emma said: “For a working parent it was the perfect job and while I am studying, I will continue to be a member of the cleaning team, but obviously can’t continue as team leader.”

Her oldest son Declan is 19, Jake is 10 and five-year-old Zach are at primary schoo, which is why Emma decided the time was right for her to start university.

She said: “As a teenager I got a lot of help from the youth workers at KGs youth club in Bacup. It is a shame it is no longer there. This will be my way of giving back for all the good they did me.

“Working with youth offenders is something I have always wanted to do. At KGs we did so much including peer education courses where we would go into schools and it taught me loads. The youth workers were my inspiration.”

Emma left Fearns Community Sports College, Stacksteads, with five GCSEs at grade C and above, then completed five Level 2 NVQs at college.

She went on to do a Level 2 diploma in hairdressing, however she was pregnant with Jake at the time and knew it was not the job for her.

Emma said: “Now Zach is settled at school, I feel like I can have my independence and go to university. I have got a little bit of myself back. I have also got the time and got the ability.”

Bright and Beautiful owner Nicola said: “We are a family-friendly business and we are delighted that Emma has used her time with us as a springboard to the career she has always wanted.

“We wish Emma every success," she added.