“My original plan was to be a scuba-diving instructor!”

We had five minutes with Rebecca Redfern, Registered Manager at Woodview Care Home, Newcastle-under-Lyme. 

This Professional Care Workers' Week, we’re honouring the essential work of care colleagues to raise the profile of care work across Staffordshire and the UK.

The public perception of professional care work is that it's only personal care tasks,  and there’s no career progression. But 33 year old Becky Redfern knows very different. 

She's now officially the best Registered Manager in Staffordshire after winning the category at this year's Dignity in Care Awards. Here she talks to us about her meteoric career progression, and how working 9 to 5 just wouldn’t be for her.

“Yes, I was going to be a diving instructor,” said Becky, “but I’m so glad I am where I am now.

“I was always fascinated in how the mind can affect the body, ever since my grandmother deteriorated really quickly from Alzheimer’s.   I suppose that there’s no coincidence that 13 years later I run a specialist care home for people with dementia and complex mental health challenges.

"I first started as a care assistant which I absolutely loved, but then realised I could use those skills in nursing as well so trained to be a mental health nurse. I qualified in 2014 and worked at Harplands Hospital, and then onto a local prison as a staff nurse.  I was promoted to a senior, but I just knew in my heart that I needed to go back to care.

"When Bradwell Hall split into two care homes in 2020, I was promoted to Registered Manager from deputy.  But I actually do two roles and I love it."

“I’m actually the Clinical Operations Manager and the Registered Manager, meaning that I get to use my nursing and care skills. And that’s want I want people to understand– you can develop your career and even bring your interests and passions into your care work. What other job can you say that about?”

“Working in care you have such a mixture of emotions, but I just love my job. I love working together as a team, because ultimately it’s about high standards of person-centred care for human beings.

"For me there’s no more important calling.  A nine to five where I can't bring in 'me', and my personality, would never be for me."

What do you want to do?

If you're passionate, there are so many opportunities when you work in care. Like Becky, you could train to be a nurse, or manager, or even a social worker or Occupational Therapist.  You can go up or sideways!  Why not explore all the options for development by talking to your manager today, or browsing the Workforce Partnership web pages. 

Be a myth buster in our campaign

When you work in care there are good and bad days, like in any other job. 

But in what other job can you say that on those bad days everyone pulls together in one big family.  In what other job can you bring your personal experience and passions in to make someone's day.  In what other job can you develop and progress in so many different ways. 

If you're passionate about busting the myths that people have about working in social care, and supporting more like-minded people into the workforce, get in touch!  

Over the next few months we'll showcasing the impact that professional care workers are having and busting the myths to get more people applying.  If you think you could stand up and help us face those myths head on, get in touch with lorna.fizor@staffordshire.gov.uk