Flourishing careers – the future is bright with Sanctuary Care
With over 200 internal courses at their fingertips and an entire team devoted to Learning and Talent Development, the career progression opportunities at Sanctuary Care are something special.
As a not-for-profit care provider, we are proud to enrich the lives of the amazing people caring for our residents and working in our support teams. And with our Career Pathways guide featuring every role, they have a step-by-step guide of how to reach their dream job.
But don’t take our word for it – we ask three of the team to share their inspiring journeys.
Meet Billy – thriving in his new role as Deputy Manager
When Billy Pattison joined Sanctuary Care as a Domestic Assistant in 2015, he confesses he just wanted something short-term to tide him over financially. Fast forward to today and he’s proud to be a Deputy Home Manager!
Billy quickly realised care was his true calling and in 2016 became a Care Assistant and then a Team Leader.
Quickly developing a thirst for clinical knowledge, when an opportunity arose to do a Nursing Associate Apprenticeship, Billy jumped at the chance!
“I wanted that career progression and was so excited for the opportunity to carry on learning and challenging myself.”
Billy’s apprenticeship was fully-funded by Sanctuary Care, in partnership with the University of Plymouth, where he studied one day a week, applying what he’d learnt at work.
Graduating in 2023, his leadership potential shone through and when a Deputy Manager position came up at our Greenslades Nursing Home in Exeter, Billy was successful.
“Wow this was just the best thing that had ever happened to me,” he explains. “I feel so excited about the paths that have opened up for me. Sanctuary Care has given me a career and I’m so happy and grateful.”
We talk to Claire – “The support has been amazing”
Another member of the team whose career has flourished is Claire Keirle, who joined us as a Laundry Assistant in 2009 and then became a Receptionist and then an Administrator at The Rosary Nursing Home in Bridgwater. Claire is now a Lead Business Development Manager (BDM), managing a team of five regional BDMS, who support people looking for care for their loved ones, increasing occupancy in our care homes, and nurture community relationships.
When she started Claire’s daughter Jayda had recently been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, so the part time hours suited her perfectly, so she could administer Jayda’s daily injections at school.
“Working at The Rosary was like having a safety net, working with nurses who understood Jayda’s condition was such a support,” she explains.
When Jayda was older and able to manage her own injections, a regional Customer Relations Manager role became available, and Claire was delighted to spread her wings. This then developed into the Business Development Manager role and two years later she now manages the BDMs who support Sanctuary Care’s 100 plus homes.
“My time at Sanctuary Care has flown by,” adds Claire. “My roles have been so varied and it has always felt exciting and fresh.
“With my current role I still support people looking for care, so I still experience the joy of helping people, but I’ve learnt so much about managing a team and have developed so much.”
“My managers have recognised what I’m best at and have really nurtured and guided me. The support from everyone has been amazing. Sanctuary Care really is an organisation where, if you work hard, you really will be rewarded.”
“Sanctuary Care believed in me” – Leanne’s story
Starting her journey in 2005 as a Care Assistant, Leanne Carter’s manager quickly spotted her leadership potential and by 2014 she had progressed to become Home Manager of our Castlecroft Residential Care Home in Birmingham, a move she describes as “one the proudest achievements of my career”.
“It just proves how much time, training and support is available to employees”, Leanne explains. Career progression opportunities are readily available within Sanctuary Care and I can think of no better company to be a part of.”
And for Leanne, who is now a Peripatetic Home Manager, supporting nine Home Managers across the West Midlands, she is proud to pass this nurturing ethos to her teams.
“If I see someone is willing to work hard and wants to develop, I support, mentor and encourage them. I look for training courses that would up-skill them. More importantly I believe in them as Sanctuary Care believes in me.
“I have seen a number of my team starting as Care Assistants develop into managerial roles and I couldn’t be more proud.”
For more about a career with Sanctuary Care, head over to our recruitment pages.
