JOBS & CAREERS SPRING 2018 - 201

CA R E E R S I N CA R E

"To make a
person smile is
so rewarding"
Jessica Borrill, 26,
is acting manager at
Toray Pines Care Home
in Lincolnshire
I was 16 when I got my first job
in a care home. I went straight
from school, having got six
GCSEs with Cs and Ds, and

began with an NVQ level 2
apprenticeship in health and
social care. I was tea lady for
two months, then care assistant
and activities coordinator. By
the time I was 21, I'd moved
to a different care home as
activities coordinator. Within
six months, I'd been promoted

to team leader on caring. I was
promoted every year until I
was acting senior head of care.
I've gained qualifications
throughout my career,
including accredited awards in
medication, dignity, dementia,
equality and diversity, as
well as mandatory courses in
moving and handling, health
and safety, and infection
control. I've done a level
3 NVQ in team leading, a
level 5 in management, a
supporting seniors course
and supporting managers
course, both funded by
Lincolnshire County Council,

as well as an Open University
course on death and dying.
I'm young for my role and
manage staff who are older
than me. Most are supportive
and say they wish they'd done
what I've done in terms of
training, but some comment
on my age. But I've worked
in the care industry for 11
years and have the skills and
knowledge to do my job well.
My career goal is to own and
manage my own care home.
The salary is fine for me - I
live at home, but pay rent
and run a car. If I had to, I'd
do this job for free. I say to
staff, "You can't be in this
job for the money, you have
to be in it with your heart."
My friends often say they
don't know how I do it, but
I love it. It's so rewarding to
make someone smile. Many
residents wake in a very low
mood but if that person is
smiling and laughing by the
time I go home, it's fantastic.
I particularly enjoy changing
a family's perception of care
homes. There's so much bad
press, so it's lovely when a
family show surprise at the
care their loved one receives.
Dealing with families at end
of life is rewarding, too. If
a resident has been in pain,
to make them peaceful and
presentable for their family is
very special. If we're told we
have become part of the family,
I know I've done my job well.

Routes into caring
Volunteer Visit ncvo.org.uk
to find a volunteer centre.
Apprenticeship Gain
qualifications while you
earn. Visit gov.uk/applyapprenticeship.
Graduate scheme If you
have a degree, consider
a graduate management
programme. Visit
skillsforcare.org.uk.

J O B S & C A R E E R S /// 2 0 1


http://ncvo.org.uk http://www.gov.uk/apply http://skillsforcare.org.uk

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JOBS & CAREERS SPRING 2018

http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Careers/jcspring2018
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Careers/JobsandCareersAutumn2017
https://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Careers/YourBusinessWithJamesCaan2017
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Careers/Careers/Careers_with_Hayley_Taylor_2011
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