Planting new seeds: Laura’s journey in Buckinghamshire’s Children’s Residential Service

We spoke to Laura, who talked to us about her time at the council so far and the current and upcoming opportunities to join our new Children’s Residential homes.

I started my journey with Buckinghamshire Council over five years ago as a Senior Support Worker. Through hard work and dedication, I became an Assistant Manager (ATM) at Wenlock House, then the Manager of Wenlock House, and now I oversee all the homes as the Assistant Operations Manager.

I’ve always been passionate about care since I left school. About ten years ago, I didn’t even think residential homes still existed. When I saw an advert for role working in residential care, I was intrigued and went for an interview. I was amazed by the opportunity to provide full-time care and make a real difference in young people’s lives. Our work matters because we’re improving the lives of future generations. The young people we look after have faced significant and varied traumas, so having someone who believes in them, pushes them, and inspires them to reach their full potential can make a profound difference in their lives.

Every day, I see the rewards of our work. Making a difference, planting new seeds, and teaching young people or staff something new is incredibly fulfilling. For new workers, we look for resilience because no two days are the same. We’re constantly learning and always looking to improve, and Buckinghamshire Council offers numerous career development opportunities. I started as a senior and worked my way up within five years and with our new homes opening, there’s huge potential for progression. We support our staff in reaching their goals and advancing their careers.

We’re expanding with new residential homes, and are currently opening two new homes with more to come. We recruit a dedicated team for each home, including waking nights, residential workers, seniors, assistant managers, and a registered manager. Our team culture is like one big family. We all have differences and different opinions, and we share them freely and confidently. Everyone has the chance to bring something to the table, and we work together to achieve the best outcomes.

My journey in residential care has been incredibly rewarding. If you’re considering a career in this field, I encourage you to apply and give it a go. The view of residential homes has changed significantly, and what we do now truly makes a difference.

We’re looking for inspiring people to join our teams across the county. From Residential Workers to Heads of Home, we have a range of available roles to choose from — find out more and apply today: https://tinyurl.com/4ur3ude4