We've partnered with our training provider, Realise, to bring our colleagues everything they need to know about getting started with an apprenticeship. Head to their website to find out more about Realise and the training they offer.
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Following our focus on Apprenticeship’s Week, we spoke to the new Deputy Manager at De Parys, Nadine, on her career journey at Consensus. Starting at Gretton House in 2016, Nadine was noticed by her management team for her hard work and commitment to supporting people to achieve their goals – which soon led to her being nominated to complete the Inspire Programme to further her career development.
Completing both her Level 2 and Level 3 in Health & Social Care Apprenticeships, Nadine has embraced every opportunity to expand her skills and knowledge. Now, as she embarks on her Level 5 in Leadership, we’ve caught up with Nadine on her journey, the impact of her apprenticeship, and what it means to grow within Consensus – where we support people to flourish in their careers.
What has your career journey at Consensus been like?
“I started my career as a support worker at Gretton House back in December 2016. I had never previously worked in care, and had seen an advert for the role, and thought it sounded like a very interesting new choice of career path! Since starting, I became the relief Team Leader in 2018, full-time Time Leader in 2019, and also supported the kitchen due to my qualifications as a chef.
I was then offered to join the Inspire Programme after being nominated by my management team. I felt honoured that my hard work had played a part in this, and it gave me the courage and skills to apply for the Deputy Manager at De Parys, which I was successful in getting!”
What inspired you to apply for an apprenticeship?
“During my time at Gretton, I completed an Aims Course around PWS, and also my apprenticeship in Level 2 and 3 Health & Social Care, and have now enrolled to complete a Level 5 in Leadership. I’m also going back to school to retake my Maths & English in my own time, to enhance my previous qualifications. I’m always eager to learn and embrace the opportunity to enhance my knowledge.”
What are the best skills you learnt through your apprenticeship?
“I learnt a multitude of skills, which included the CQC expectations and safeguarding. But for me, it’s about how to grow within yourself, the team you support, and how we can enhance the lives of the people we support to reduce the need for Positive Behaviour Support. By using different strategies, we can support people to be more independent, and teach skills which helps them to achieve their goals and ambitions.”
How do you feel the apprenticeship has supported your career at Consensus?
“I feel it played an important part of my career progression, as I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to enhance my skills and develop in my current role. There are not many companies that would offer you this amount of training and guidance, ensuring we are all given the opportunity and support to progress if we’d like to!”
And finally, what’s your favourite moment been at Consensus?
“I have so many great memories, but I feel for me it’s how creative all the of the services become when the dreaded word ‘covid’ hit! Also, during my time at Gretton we have an annual event where colleagues and the people we support have a day full of games, completing against one another, and bbq food. It’s currently 2-1 to the people we support, so Team Gretton better get practicing if they’re to bring it back!”
We've partnered with our training provider, Realise, to bring our colleagues everything they need to know about getting started with an apprenticeship. Head to their website to find out more about Realise and the training they offer.
Learn more
