Developing care and support talent

At NCHA we like to support our colleagues with their career aspirations. We launched a talent development programme to develop our people.

Our Aspiring Leaders course is for care and support colleagues who have ambitions to take their first steps into a management role. This is a 12-month course, with one full day training a month.

Ella graduated from the course in December and shares her experience. She joined NCHA in 2010 as a Care Assistant at Wells Road in Nottingham, a home that provides long-term accommodation for six adults with learning disabilities. 

“I have worked at Wells Road for 13 years, I love my job and the people I support. In 2016, I was promoted to Support Worker, and more recently was asked to step up as Assistant Manager. 

“My manager encouraged me to apply for the Aspiring Leaders course. It felt a little overwhelming at first, and I didn’t believe in myself, but my manager gave me the confidence which has enabled me to gain the skills to be an Assistant Manager. 

“The course has made a massive difference in every part of my life. It was very special to me and I didn’t want it to come to an end. I feel excited for the future and look forward to further developing my skills at NCHA.”

Ella Coulthard, NCHA’s Leadership and Culture Advisor, was the trainer and this is what she had to say about Ella:

“It has been a pleasure to get to know and to be part of Ella’s journey. Ella was always really enthusiastic, open to learning and keen to share what she had implemented from her learning. I have seen Ella’s confidence grow and her self-belief develop. She is a real asset to NCHA!”

Carmel Hopkinson, Ella’s manager, commented: “Ella fully embraced this training. She would always return in high spirits and eager to put in to practice what she had learnt. The training has been extremely valuable for the whole team and our residents.”

Want to work for an organisation that invests in their colleagues? Take a look at our job vacancies.