A Career in Care

09 January 2023

If you're thinking about changing careers this January, then read Jess's story to find out more about joining the care sector.

Jess has been working for Chailey Heritage Foundation for 5 years and has seen great progression in her career. She began her career here as a Support Worker, quickly progressing to a Senior Support Worker when the opportunity to apply for a Deputy Home Manager role came up. Jess successfully applied for this role and shortly after, a Home Manager vacancy was advertised. ‘My manager encouraged me to go for it’ said Jess. ‘I wasn’t sure if I was ready for the role but I’ve been supported the whole way through the process.’

Jess wasn’t working in care before starting her career at Chailey Heritage Foundation.

‘I worked in a pub after travelling for a few years. I started to think about what I wanted to do career wise. I’ve always wanted to work in care. Before going travelling, I started a nursing course at University which I didn’t finish so it was really nice to come back and do something in care but not have to go back to Uni again.’

Chailey Heritage Foundation offers training to Support Workers so they can complete a Health and Social Care diploma alongside working full time. ‘First of all, I did a care certificate then I did my diploma level 3 and now I’m currently working towards my diploma level 5. Chailey let you be involved with all the hands on skills you need which is really valuable.’

All Support Workers joining the charity are given a two week induction to train them for working with the young people. ‘You have a two week induction in a classroom and two week shadow shifts on a bungalow where you can ask questions, see what’s going on and help with manual handling. If you are happy to start getting involved in personal care, then you can. After your two weeks of shadow shifts, you’re assigned as a 1:1 Support Worker and then you carry on training. The nurses watch you do practise rounds and you feel really supported as a new member of the team. We have regular supervisions, catch ups and team meetings. We’re all close, it’s like a family home rather than just coming in for a job.’

A Home Manager role at Chailey Heritage Foundation can be really varied and as well as office work, gives you the opportunity to work 1:1 with the young people. ‘The Home Manager role involves the daily running of the bungalow which could include sorting out respite care, making sure young people are happy and safe, preparing for Ofsted inspections, leading and supervising the team of Support Workers and encouraging them to progress. 

My role can be quite hands on too. I come in at the weekends, mornings and afternoons to help out. The role is 37 hours a week which is contracted for office work but I can be flexible and do hands on shifts around that.’

The role also means you’ll be learning a variety of new skills which Jess says is what she enjoys the most about being a Home Manager. ‘I like learning something different, problem solving, doing the rotas and making sure everyone’s happy. I also like the fact that the role is flexible enough to allow me to do hands on work with the young people because that’s the whole reason I started working here.’

So why should you join team Chailey? Jess says: ‘You get so much out of the role. We do so many activities with the young people and it makes such a difference to their life. We’re going to Tulley’s Farm, Winter Wonderland and we even get to take the young people on holidays. Generally, it’s just good fun and a really nice place to work.’

Apply for your dream job at Chailey Heritage Foundation.