From Kickstart to a senior role in three years

I really love my job, the people I support are what makes it so good!

I started working at Persona on the Kickstart scheme at Spurr House and then got a job as a care assistant at Elmhurst Short Stay. Three and a half years later, I'm a senior care assistant and my job is really varied; I do different things every day. 

Our team ensures that all the people we support receive excellent care,  working with Social Workers, hospitals, physios and other external professionals to make sure that people's wants and needs are met. I complete support plans and risk assessments, liaise with families and communicate with other team members and managers. I am also taking part in the Rising Stars programme and learning lots on that too.

While I've been working, I've also completed the Level 2 Health and Social Care Apprenticeship. It was funded by Persona so it didn’t cost me anything. It took me about 18 months to complete and I did a lot of the work in my own time, but I have also been supported in work; my managers have really helped me and motivated me to complete the course. I have also had help from Partnership Training, they have always been willing to help. One of the things I wasn’t looking forward to was the exams, but the tutor really helped me get through them.All my assignments were related to the work that I do with older people and I worked well with other Persona staff who were also doing a qualification; we were able to support and help each other.
I am really proud of having completed this qualification with a Distinction and I hope that it will help me to progress further in my career.