Talea’s rapid rise from support worker to area management is evidence of the career progression opportunities available at Shaftesbury. Still in her 30s, she has responsibility for 50 employees and two separate services. Read Talea’s story to find out why she turned her back on the corporate sector in favour of making a more direct impact on people’s lives...
Made for management; a career shaped by Shaftesbury
Talea is good at what she does. So much so, that within a week of joining us, she was made a Team Leader.
This was not a one-off; competence, commitment and natural leadership qualities have seen her quickly rise through the ranks in every job she’s had. Even while studying at college, Talea found herself managing a retail outlet part-time.
She first joined us in 2016 as an Enabling Support Worker for people with autism and learning difficulties. Not yet 40, Talea is now the Area Manager for Sussex services with responsibility for 50 staff and two separate services, one residential and one supported living.
Her career trajectory is testament to both the managerial opportunities available at Shaftesbury and within the care sector in general. All too often, social care is dismissed as low skilled work which underestimates the potential rewards for ambitious types with skills highly prized by the corporate sector.
This is not a world Talea fell into by chance. Her dad was a science lecturer and as a child she would help bring his lessons to life by dressing up as an alien and helping people to learn about the solar system! Some of the pupils had special educational needs and even at the age of eight, Talea remembers being impressed with the way these children thought outside of the box: “They were really imaginative in a way often lacking in mainstream education,” she recalls.
Talea knew then she wanted to work with people with disabilities, her stint in retail only confirming this.
When senior colleagues have moved on, she’s willingly stepped up to fulfil their responsibilities on an interim basis while the position is advertised externally. This has seen Talea apply for several jobs she’s already in, each time successfully securing the position on a permanent basis. She’s not resentful in any way, quite the opposite: “It’s nothing personal. I respect Shaftesbury for following the law. If anything, I see it as a challenge, an opportunity to prove my worth,” she reflects.
It was important to me to feel supported by my employer... I report to a Regional Director and I can go to her about anything
- Talea, Area Manager for Sussex Services
Talea feels that as a charity, Shaftesbury can offer higher quality provision for people with disabilities. Her previous experience of private social care was “too money orientated and business like”, lacking in human connection: “I didn’t agree with how little time was spent with residents which is why I only lasted six months,” she admits.
By chance, Talea met someone working for Shaftesbury and was persuaded to apply. Her previous employer tried to entice her back six months later, but the financial incentive was not enough. She attributes this to feeling confident her opinions are valued by Shaftesbury’s executive team.
When a restructuring of services was proposed in her area, Talea spoke out about her concerns and came up with an alternative proposal that was later implemented – a decision that reassured her of Shaftesbury’s commitment to people centred care and made her feel listened to.
A lot has happened in Talea’s personal life, including losing her dad unexpectedly. “These setbacks mean I have really thrown myself into my career as a distraction. It was important to me to feel supported by my employer throughout. I report to a Regional Director and I can go to her about anything,” she says.
Shaftesbury has also invested in Talea’s professional growth - she is now a Registered Area Manager with a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care.
What keeps her in the role? “My team,” she says, simply. Most of Talea’s colleagues are long-serving employees with up to 25 years of service. She jokes that staff turnover is not a problem Shaftesbury suffers with.
What remains an issue is attracting the likes of Talea to the care sector in the first place.
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