Story by Fleur (Support & Development Manager )
I started care support when I was 16 and have worked in residential and specialist settings. Whilst I was working at a day services in King’s Lynn I went to a home of a Tenant and met someone who was working for Hilton Care who now is my Service Manager, and as I had just qualified with NVQ 4 she suggested that I applied for some new positions within the company.
So I applied for a Service Manager. After the interview I got offered a position in two services as a Team Leader as I needed more experience in supported living. I did this for 3 months and then was offered the position of Service Manager of 4 services. I loved this as I could change people’s lives and make them live and experience and be given opportunities they have previously never been given in residential settings.
After 4 years with the company I was offered the position of Senior Service Manager as the dynamics of the company changed so I went from having 4 services to 9 services. I have a great team around me of managers and staff and a Service Manager who works well with me as we have been together from the start in different roles.
I then was offered to become a QCF assessor and offered to do my PTTLS so I could train my own staff in-house and also further my education within Hilton. This is something I really enjoy as I have to change my way of thought from manager to assessor.
After qualifying I was offered the position of Support and Development Manager as I was now involved in all aspects of the company from needs assessing, transition, training, and managing a large staff team and services that are all different in their own way.
So here I am 10 years in doing hands-on shifts, training, managing, and still enjoy every day the achievements my tenants are experiencing.