Marie Hind on becoming a Senior Enablement Support Worker

About Derbyshire County Council

Derbyshire County Council's adult social care team, of which Amber Valley is a part, is dedicated to making a positive impact on people's lives. They emphasise person-centred care, aiming to empower individuals and promote their independence.

How did you get into this job?

"I've been working with Derbyshire County Council for about 21 years now in different departments. I've been with the START team for about a year. I don't know, I just like working with people.

I did a YTS in a nursing home and they employed me after a couple of months.

I worked as a care assistant.

Around four years.

I worked at Flo Shipley Residential Home. I got a job in there as a care worker.

I tried all different jobs in the care sector. But yes, I did go and do support work for nine years in learning disabilities. Yeah, but then they decided to close their home. So that's why I got redeployed to the START services."

Is your career path typical, or did you take a different route?

"I've been working with Derbyshire County Council for about 21 years now in different departments.

I tried all different jobs in the care sector."

Is there such a thing as a typical day in your role?

"Any day as a senior enablement support worker, come in office base first off, look at the handover to see what jobs, tasks needs, you know, priority in doing. Then we make our own job plan up for the day.

We support the leads that are on duty on our shift as well. So they might give us jobs throughout the day and then we go and work in the community, taking files out.

It's not a management role. I do a bit of both. So we go out and we're still liaise with family and the person, the carers. We go out and we explain our services."

Talk me through a typical shift or patient journey.

"We do get a variety of people, mainly it's older adults. It's probably come out of hospital or there's some concerns in the community. Sometimes we get people that self-refer.

As a senior enablement support worker, I also help the ESWs and at times we can be going out and doing care calls.

Enablement support working is trying to put equipment and aids in place for a person to get back to a new baseline or gain their independence back."

What skills or personal qualities are most important in this job?

"A passion."

Anything you've developed over time that surprised you?

"I've been working with Derbyshire County Council for about 21 years now in different departments.

I tried all different jobs in the care sector."

What do you love most about your job?

"Every day is different.

We see the person from the beginning of the journey with us. And then we also complete the end of service visit.

I love seeing the transformation and the confidence that's come back in them people.

Yeah, it's rare job satisfaction definitely."

What moments make you proud of the work you do?

"I love seeing the transformation and the confidence that's come back in them people.

Yeah, it's rare job satisfaction definitely."

What's the most challenging part?

"The challenging part is probably don't get a typical day, but I like not typical days. You know, if you get an emergency, if you've got to go out, all the things on your job list has to wait.

It's not a job you can switch off, is it?"

How do you manage that, personally or as a team?

"The START team that I work with are brilliant.

From each job role that they do, we work really well as a team, and it makes all the difference."

What qualifications or registrations does someone need?

"Derbyshire County Council like to have your NVQ Level 3 up.

Yeah, they do offer it. DCC is quite good at training and pushing people to go a bit further in the career.

Yeah, we need all the checks.

Driving licence and a car for this job, definitely.

A passion."

How does pay progress as you develop your career?

"Yeah, there's always scope to go into another job role that's a grade above or a couple of grades above.

So they do like you to progress within DCC."

What kind of person thrives in this role?

"A passion.

It can be challenging. I won't lie, but the rewards and the job satisfaction in the end is just brilliant. Or I wouldn't still be doing it."

What advice would you give someone starting out?

"It can be challenging. I won't lie, but the rewards and the job satisfaction in the end is just brilliant. Or I wouldn't still be doing it."

One piece of advice you'd give your younger self?

"It can be challenging. I won't lie, but the rewards and the job satisfaction in the end is just brilliant. Or I wouldn't still be doing it."

What's next for you? Any goals or specialisms you're excited about?

"I've been with the START team for about a year."

What made you choose Amber Valley?

"I've been working with Derbyshire County Council for about 21 years now in different departments. I've been with the START team for about a year."

What's one thing that makes it different or special as a workplace?

"DCC is quite good at training and pushing people to go a bit further in the career.

The START team that I work with are brilliant.

From each job role that they do, we work really well as a team, and it makes all the difference."