Care as a career

At Bluebird Care Watford & Three Rivers our care staff are the heart of our business. These are stories by our staff about why they chose to work in homecare, and how they have progressed through the Career Journey. Read some of the special stories our staff have to tell about their experiences working for Bluebird Care Watford & Three Rivers.

Hayley's Story

My name is Hayley Leach and I have been working as the care supervisor for our customers for over a year now.
I first came into the care industry as I had a young son and I could choose the hours that I worked around him, I started with Bluebird care as a care assistant with no care experience. Not long after starting my role as a Bluebird  Care care assistant, I came to realise it was a job that I very much enjoyed.

After 3 years’ service as a care assistant I was promoted to supervisor and with full support from everyone in my team I went on to complete both diploma levels 2 and 3 in Health and Social Care. I attend various different training courses throughout the year for example, this year I have already completed Diabetes awareness and C.O.P.D awareness courses. This allows me to give my customers any advice I feel may be beneficial to them.

Part of my role as a care supervisor is to visit potential new customers in their own homes or in hospital, depending on the individual’s circumstances.  I carry out short assessments and informal chats to get an idea of what the requirements are and I work very closely with the customer, their family and the care staff by gathering feedback in the first few weeks to ensure the care that has been in place is of a high standard. I carry out a review with the customer after 1 week of being with Bluebird Care then I carry out another after 1 month, then every 6 months after that. By doing all of this I can ensure that all of our customers are well cared for and any changes to the care and support plan that may be required can be done as and when they happen.

 I have built very good professional relationships with my customers, their family members and health care professionals and as a people person that has always worked in social settings I do not feel like I am working, I genuinely feel I am making a big difference to people’s lives and making friends along the way. 
 

Amy's Story

I Joined Bluebird Care in October 2012 as a care assistant and after being with the company for eight months I was offered the position as care supervisor to cover maternity leave. As part of my role I supported new and existing care assistants, visited new and existing customers to establish their needs, worked with them and their family members, to put together packages of care that met their individual needs and that suited their chosen way of life. I am passionate about ensuring things are right and that people get the best possible care that is tailored to their wishes and needs.

I am now the care coordinator for the Hemel Hempstead office, although I do not have any face to face contact with our customers I still speak with them over the phone to discuss any changes within their package of care. Within the role of care coordinator, I have built relationships with the community staff, customers, their families and other health professionals. As a people person, I enjoy the daily contact with people and the satisfaction I get from ensuring that all our customers are receiving the high standard of care they require and deserve.

I also deliver training for new staff throughout the induction period providing training on Health and Safety, Infection Control, Food Hygiene, Fire safety, Safe Administration of Medication, Safeguarding Vulnerable adults and Dementia Awareness.  Being able to support new and existing staff throughout the induction period and then on refresher training means that any concerns or issues with regards to customers’ needs can be addressed immediately.

Since starting with Bluebird Care I have completed my NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care, I have also completed a Dementia Pathway and have become a Dementia Champion which has enabled me to support new and existing customers and their families, promoting independence in a safe way. This includes giving advice on equipment, environments and different techniques to use, encouraging customers to accept care where required.

Working for Bluebird Care and enabled me to provide care for people to enable them to remain in their own home and this is something I am very passionate about.