Julie - Review Officer

"I started work in social care at 18 as an assistant in a residential home for older people. I’d done some work in childcare while at school but decided there were better job opportunities working with older people. For a period I worked in a short-stay respite care unit, then became a care worker within a sheltered housing complex, helping residents to live independently.

While working there I took NVQ courses that made me more aware of wider career opportunities and gave me more confidence in my skills and abilities. I was seconded to Acting Manager in another sheltered housing complex, supervising staff and managing resources. I passed NVQ level 4 in Care and took the Registered Managers Award. I’m now working as a Review Officer making annual reviews of how individual cases are progressing. This involves liaising with care homes and day centres. I also carry out project work examining possible changes to how services are delivered, such as meals on wheels and volunteer shopping services."