Your first, caring point of contact at Exeter & East Devon
If you are apprehensive or a little reluctant, there will be no need to worry as you will be in safe, kind and experienced hands…
Whilst Lesley has had a diverse career, with management roles in social care, hospitality, and funeral services, all have the same need running through them: to care.
The heart of Lesley’s career has been in social care, where for many years she was a senior support manager in a residential care facility, supporting young people living with learning and/or physical disabilities.
At the very start of her career though, Lesley trained under the strict guidance of a Matron, whom Lesley recalls, “When I look back at my first job, I can still see the direct expression and hear the stern voice of Matron, instructing myself and my young co-workers with regard to every minute detail of the care we provided. She was all seeing and hearing! It seemed so strict and excessive at the time, but I soon realised that I was being taught to follow exacting and high standards of care, and it’s stayed with me. I know what excellent care looks like, and for me, nothing matters more than making sure that’s what’s provided.”
Fast forward a number of years, a host of experience and a range of qualifications in care, and Lesley relocated to Devon from Essex. This is when she stepped off the ‘care career’ path momentarily, but it wasn’t to be. Lesley was drawn back to the rewards of the sector with regard to the relationships built between care professional and client, but also because of the adaptability that it offered for Lesley to fit her job around her life – this is when Home Instead comes in.
Lesley says, “I had been following Home Instead on Facebook for quite a while, to get a ‘feel’ for the Company, and I could see that it was great care that was being provided – that’s when I made the move and applied for a Care Professional role on the team… and I haven’t looked back.”
Having joined Home Instead at the end of 2020, as a part time Care Professional and the Home Instead leadership team quickly recognised her potential and drive to progress her career – that’s when Lesley applied for what she openly says now, is her ‘dream job’ of Home Care Consultant.
“I realise that all care clients come with something of a ‘back-story’ and it’s my job to meet those that are looking for support, find out who they really are, and figure out the best package of care for that particular person and their family. I am always aware, and really believe that care should be exceptional, nothing less, and I feel confident that I can provide that with Home Instead”.
If you have the pleasure of meeting Lesley, you will appreciate that she too, is perfect for the role, not least because of her warm and sincere nature – for us at Home Instead, it’s been a perfect match.
For the future, Lesley is looking forward to adding to her considerable skillset by making full use of the fully funded training options available to her via Home Instead, saying “In the past I have always loved to learn, be that in qualifications in care or a little away from the norm, as in my Makaton* training which I did for over two years.” For the meantime though, Lesley says she is simply enjoying her role and is making the very most of being part of the team at Home Instead, saying “It’s a friendly office team and it’s a happy place to be. They are just a really nice bunch of people, across the board. If I had a dream job, I’d say it’s this!”
If you or a family member are looking for care or support to remain independent – including Live-In Care – or to get vital companionship, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us on 01395 200600.
Equally, if you would like further information on the various Personalised Career Pathway options with us at Home Instead, do give our friendly recruitment team a call on 01395 200600, take a look around our website at our Current Vacancies HERE or find us on Facebook HERE and discover why we are different.
*Makaton is a language programme that uses signs together with speech and symbols to enable people to communicate.