Charley Etherington

Background

About Charley Etherington

After starting my career in social care as a Support Worker in March 2019, it became very clear that this is my passion and I was keen to develop. As a Support Worker, I was passionate about providing person-centred care in a variety of different settings. I was awarded the Home Care Newcomer Award at The Great British Care Awards South East in November 2019. This was a huge personal achievement for me and only pushed me to go further. In August 2020, due to company expansion, PCAS Kent introduced the Senior Support Worker role. I was keen to push myself further and for a new challenge so I decided to apply for this role and was successful. Being a Senior Support Worker taught me many new skills, such as Team Motivation, basic leadership skills, risk assessing and attending Safeguarding meetings. I then interviewed for Area Manager role for Ashford and Canterbury in November 2021. Working closely with the Operations Manager, my role is now to oversee and manage a team of Support Workers in Supported Living and domiciliary care services, to ensure that quality services are delivered in a person-centred way that promotes dignity and respect, choice, inclusion, ability and equality for people with autism, learning disabilities, mental health conditions and any other person with a qualifying support need. This role is critical in ensuring that services are safe, caring, responsive, effective and well led. I am also involved in assessing and managing referrals to ensure that suitable placements are offered and support outcomes are met. I am currently 50% through NVQ Level 5 Leadership in Health and Social Care, which is currently on hold as I am on Maternity Leave.