Testimonial

I started working for Accalia care in 2021 as a senior support worker within months I was encouraged to and supported to apply for the vacant team leader role. Due to management support I applied for the job and was successful. I have been working with young people the more years than I can remember but I have never had the support from my collages or directors as much as I have since joining Accalia care. Over the last two months I have applied for a deputy manager post and once again I was successful. Due to the help and support from the management team I think my future is looking very bright.

Prior to starting work at a Accalia care,I had not worked in the care industry before, when I saw the vacancy for residential support worker I was interested and wanted to do a job that was rewarding. I wanted to provide a good service to support young people, I always wanted to help young people that may have not had the best start or opportunities in life. I enjoy teaching the young people life skills and helping them to discover positive and effective ways of dealing with challenges, in all the areas of their life in general, whilst in care and also preparing them for the future in adult life. Having the opportunity to work in the 4 different homes helped develop me and learn a range of techniques to provide a service at a very high standard. Since starting as a residential support worker in October 2021 I have learnt a lot of new life skills for myself as well as being able to contribute my life experiences, of when I have had to overcome adversity. It’s important to encourage positive mindset in the young people. After completing my QCF level 4 diploma in childcare the opportunity came to move up to a senior role as a senior residential support worker within the company after 18 months of being with Accalia, I think Accalia is a good company to work for, the management team and directors are involved in developing the company and always searching for ways to show their appreciation for working hard, this company has definitely supported And continues to help me progress, through training and by listening to their staff and working together.

When I joined Accalia Care, I had never worked in the care industry before, I came into this role at the end of 2022 with a completely open perspective, with no preconceptions or judgements. I was welcomed in and granted the time and offered other’s experiences to help me develop in my own way that allowed me to incorporate my personality into the role.

I have been a residential support worker for 9 months now and have recently begun the process of starting my QCF Level 4 in Children. In my time here I have found the role very rewarding, the staff incredibly friendly and the managerial structure very understanding.

I have been able to utilise my own experiences of growing up with ASD to support the young people in their understanding of themselves, whilst learning how different their experiences are and taking onboard their knowledge to help me help aid other young people better. I have worked in 4 homes over the 9 months, with both male and female young people of a variety of ages, no two days are the same and it keeps every shift a surprise.

Richard Haddock
Residential Support Worker
Cedar Cottage

Prior to starting at Accalia care, I worked with children in Primary schools supporting children in the S.E.N department.

I began working for Accalia care in 2020 as a residential support worker and was enrolled onto my Level 3 NVQ working with children and young people in residential care, following this I was promoted to a senior support worker and was then given the support to progress further within the company moving up to Team Manager then a Home Manager at a different home within the company. This allowed me to gain practical experience of managing a children’s home and complete my Level 5 QCF.

I am now Registered Manager of a home and have achieved this in under 4 years, thanks to the support of the Directors and the management team.

When I joined accalia care I was completely new to the industry but was very keen to learn my role and help the young people. I heard about the job through a family member and was happy to try a new career that was more suited to me as I have young children myself. I soon realise that the young people really needed help and I wanted to be one of the people that helps them to achieve their goals and excel in their lives with the best possible outcome.

Since joining accalia I have improved in my role and have completed a lot of in-depth training and also completed my CYPW level 3. I have progressed further than I thought I could have over the last 2 years from a RSW to a senior now to a team manager.

I have been in the company for over 4 years now and I am looking to progress further in the industry and become a deputy manager then eventually a registered manager.

My career in residential care began in 2011 as a RSW.  While in this role, my knowledge of young people with complex behaviours grew and it was in this environment that I recognised my ability to inspire and empower young people to make a positive impact to their lives.

A large part of my role is to make special memories for the young people, particularly around milestones such as birthdays, Christmas and celebrating individual achievements.

Over the next five years I progressed through different roles until the opportunity to become a Registered Manager of a home presented itself.  At this point my passion and desire continued to soar and I am proud of the positive changes that I have made to the young people’s lives.

My aim is to develop a like-minded staff team, that has the passion for supporting and empowering the young people with knowledge and experiences that they may not have had the opportunity to take part in previously.

My experience of working with young people dates from 2002, I started as an assistant manager at West Bromwich Albion women’s football team where my development of working with young people started. In 2003 I then went to work with a range of young people, some with challenging behaviours which included potential Gang Members & ex-offenders, also a range of children in residential care. Alongside this I was also working in primary & secondary schools as a curriculum sports coach.

In 2016 I then went to work full time in the residential settings as an RSW, I chose this path as I wanted to make a positive impact to the lives of the young people that reside within residential care & to give the young people opportunities that they may not have previously experienced. 

I have progressed through different roles until the opportunity to become a Deputy manager was made available.  This has aided and progressed my development in helping to make the young peoples time here very positive and enjoyable and to build a like-minded staff team that will show the same passion that I have.