At Horizon, we’re passionate about building our inspiring internal talent and supporting future leaders to continue to deliver outstanding care, support and education to young lives.
As part of our Emerging Talent Academy, we are delighted to have launched our ‘Emerging Leaders Programme’, designed to support Senior Residential Care Workers and Team Leaders to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to become the leaders of the future.
A blend of workshops, resources and self-guided online learning, our bespoke programme will equip you with everything you need to take your first steps in your leadership journey. Colleagues on the programme will also be enrolled onto the Level 5 Children, Young People and Families Manager Apprenticeship.
On launching the Emerging Leaders Programme, Horizon’s Head of Learning and Development, Wendy Pipes, said “The ambition and drive from our first cohort is clear, with bright futures ahead for our colleagues and the young people they will inspire. Bringing together a bespoke and tailored programme of learning for colleagues undertaking apprenticeships is an exciting move designed to offer the best structure and support possible for the development of our teams.”
Meet our Emerging Leaders
Introducing Grace
Grace joined Horizon 5 years ago, after completing her degree in Childhood and Youth Studies and has recently been promoted to Interim Manager of one of our homes in the East Midlands.
Grace’s Horizon Journey:
After leaving university, I joined Horizon as an unqualified Residential Care Worker, beginning Level 3 Apprenticeship. I loved learning on the job, and the apprenticeship supported me to develop my skills, knowledge and confidence. My manager could see my potential and enthusiasm for the job, and only half way through my apprenticeship I was promoted to Acting Senior Residential Care Worker. Once fully qualified, this turned into a permanent position. It felt great that people believed in me.
I was lucky enough to have an opportunity to work alongside one of our Outstanding managers which allowed me to find out more about the leadership aspects of working in a residential setting. Knowing that this was the route I wanted to take, a personalised development plan was put into place to help me achieve my goals of becoming a manager. I’m now enrolled onto the Emerging Leaders Programme, and starting my Level 5 Apprenticeship, which is really exciting.
Introducing Vicky:
Vicky is one of Horizon’s ‘Outstanding’ Managers, and now supports her colleagues throughout the East Midlands region as a Senior Registered Manager.
Vicky’s Horizon Journey:
Already qualified to Level 3, I joined Horizon in 2017 in a home rated ‘Requires Improvement’. The following year I was promoted to Interim Manager, and just 5 months later had my first inspection. I was bursting with pride with the report, and the ‘Good’ rating in all areas. Having been confirmed in post as the Registered Manager in November 2019, the home was reinspected 10 months later, rated ‘Outstanding’. I was over the moon!
I was supported to complete the Level 5 Apprenticeship and in March 2021 was promoted to Senior Registered Manager. This means I now support multiple homes throughout the region. I enjoy coaching and mentoring my colleagues and sharing best practice to ensure that all of our homes are delivering outstanding care and support, with the young people at the heart of everything we do.
Introducing Rebecca:
Rebecca joined Horizon as an unqualified Residential Care Worker, with a desire to become a leader within the sector. She is now one of Horizon’s Senior Residential Care Worker’s based in Yorkshire.
Rebecca’s Horizon Journey:
I joined Horizon in January 2019 and was enrolled on, and completed, the Level 3 Apprenticeship. From learning about the therapeutic approach to what we do, right through to seeing the potential opportunities for personal development, I knew that Horizon was a place that offered room for growth.
As well as working on my professional growth, since joining the company I have become a mother, and that hasn’t held me back one bit. I have been promoted to Senior Residential Care Worker, and have also be entrusted with an Interim Manager position for a short time too. This was a great opportunity which cemented my desire to progress to becoming a Residential Manager.
I was therefore delighted to be nominated to join the new Emerging Leaders Programme. It’s helping me to develop my skills, knowledge and confidence whilst giving me the support and tools needed to propel myself into a leadership role. I’m excited to work on my Level 5 Apprenticeship, and will be thoroughly prepared to take on my next leadership opportunity.
