Sally's story
Journey into a career in care
During her childhood, Sally spent time supporting her cousin who had Downs Sydrome and, in later years, her grandma when she moved into residential care. It was these experiences that inspired her to study Health and Social care at college and then progress into a role as a care assistant at a residential care home.
Since beginning her career in care, Sally has gained a wealth of skills and experience in supporting people with complex needs. In 2015, Sally qualified as a Positive Behaviour Support Coach with the British Institute of Learning Disabilities. She now works for Leicestershire County Council and advises care professionals on how to support people whose behaviour has started to cause concern or impact on their quality of life.
My role is very wide and varied. I work with colleagues across health and social care, wherever there are questions or concerns regarding behaviour support.
The role of a Positive Behaviour Support Lead Advisor
Sally's role involves working with individuals who show behaviours of concern, such as physical or verbal aggression, to support them to manage their behaviour and improve their quality of life. This process involves working with care professionals, families and other key people to understand why the person is acting in a particular way. For example, identifying factors such as boredom or anxiety. Sally then works with everyone involved to create strategies to help the individual to manage their behaviour.
Day in the life of a PBS Lead Advisor
Sally works full-time, Monday to Friday, during normal office hours.
Sally's working week is very varied and involves working with a range of different people and organisations. Her working schedule includes delivering training workshops on topics such as Positive Behaviour Support and physical interventions to groups of care professionals and local authority colleagues. Sally also spends time meeting with care professionals and social workers to create support plans for individual people who are presenting behaviours of concern.
As well as time spent outside of the office, Sally's schedule includes time spent completing desk-based tasks, such as answering email enquiries and planning training events.
To succeed in a career in care, you need to always treat people as you would want to be treated yourself. The values of dignity, empathy and respect should always be at the core of your work.
2019 - present |
Positive Behaviour Support Lead Advisor – local authority |
2018 |
Completed the Descriptive Functional Assessment and Intervention Plan Programme qualification- accredited by British Institute of Learning Disabilities |
2015 |
Completed The CAPBS Positive Behaviour Support Coaches Programme qualification - accredited by British Institute of Learning Disabilities |
2015 - 2019 |
Learning and Development Advisor - local authority |
2013 - 2015 |
Community Opportunities Coordinator - local authority day service |
2011 - 2013 |
Community support worker - local authority |
2010 - 2011 |
Team leader - local authority reablement service |
2010 |
Care Coordinator - local authority day service |
2003 - 2010 |
Day centre officer - local authority day service |
2001 - 2003 |
Support worker - local authority day service |
2000 - 2001 |
Home care professional - home care service |
1998 - 2000 |
Senior carer - residential nursing home |
1999 |
Completed Level 3 Health and Social Care qualification |
1993 - 1998 |
Care assistant - residential nursing home |
1993 |
Left college with Level 2 Health and Social Care qualification |
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