The Start of Helen’s Career in Home Care
Helen’s career began far from the world of adult social care. After leaving school, she trained as a hairdresser and qualified at Level 3. She later became a stay-at-home mum to six children, dedicating her time to raising her family. Her life changed profoundly when her son passed away from meningitis. Seeing the compassion and care shown to him in the hospital inspired her to pursue a future in care, driven by a desire to give back and support others who were struggling.
She began working as a care worker for another company and spent 2.5 years in the role, quickly standing out for her kindness and dedication. During this time, she was presented with an award for being the most caring care worker, reaffirming her belief that she had found the right path. Helen says, “Every step of my career has reminded me why I chose care, to make a real difference when people need it most.”
Progressing Her Career in Domiciliary Care as a Quality Assurance Officer
After gaining hands-on experience and discovering how much she loved caring for others, Helen decided she wanted to progress further in domiciliary care. When she saw an advert for a Quality Assurance Officer at Hales, she applied and was successful. This step became the foundation of her career progression.
Her confidence grew as she built relationships, developed new skills, and became more established in her role. This progression continued naturally as she moved from Quality Assurance Officer into Care Coordinator, a position she loved and thrived in. Her ambition didn’t stop there; she always aspired to take on greater responsibility.
So, when the opportunity arose to step into the role of Registered Manager, she applied, and once again, succeeded. As a Registered Manager of our Leeds, Helen holds responsibility for ensuring her service is safe, well-managed, and consistently delivers high-quality care. She oversees the well-being of both service users and staff, ensuring every care worker and office team member receives the training and support they need to succeed.
A key part of her progression has been developing a strong focus on quality and governance. She now completes weekly monitoring to maintain high standards, holds regular team meetings, and champions person-centred care planning, ensuring every individual receives support tailored to their needs.
This leadership role reflects how far she has come from her early days in care, evolving into a confident, respected manager with purpose and passion at the heart of everything she does.
Helen’s Achievements That Have Made a Real Difference in Home Care
Helen’s progression has also been marked by meaningful achievements that directly impact the safety and well-being of those she supports. Recently, she helped prevent financial abuse affecting her service users, working closely with safeguarding professionals and external teams to protect those at risk.
She also supported a service user who had been abused in their home, helping them move to a safe new environment. The response from the team was remarkable; one care worker donated a bed, and a member of the office team donated a fridge freezer, ensuring the person could begin again with dignity and comfort.
To continue her own professional development, Helen attends regular meetings, keeps up to date with information from CQC and local authorities, and engages in ongoing training. She has completed her NVQ Level 2 and 3 and is close to completing her NVQ Level 5. Throughout her journey, she has been supported by her manager, Linda Kendall, Regional Director, whose knowledge and guidance have helped Helen continue to grow into the leader she is today.
These actions reflect not only Helen’s leadership but the positive culture she has helped nurture within her branch.
Why Start a Progressive Career With Hales Care
Helen fosters a positive and uplifting working environment, championing teamwork, respect and open communication. At Hales Care, she and her team support one another through daily challenges, stay informed through regular updates, and keep morale high, right down to filling the office with inspirational quotes that motivate everyone who walks through the door.
Reflecting on her journey to becoming a Registered Manager, Helen shared, “Progressing in my role has given me the chance to support others the way I was once supported, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.”
Her story represents more than career progression; it is a testament to her strength, compassion, and unwavering desire to make a meaningful difference. These qualities have shaped her entire journey with Hales Care and highlight exactly why it’s a place where committed, caring people can truly grow.