Dec 2018
Care sector and career progression at The Orders of St John Care Trust
Sian Howse is the Deputy Home Manager at Edwardstow Court Care Centre in Stow-on-the-Wold. Edwardstow Court is home to 48 residents and provides a wide range of care services including Dementia Care, Residential Care and Respite Care.
The health and care system are where Sian began her career working as a Bank Auxiliary Nurse at Moreton Hospital 21 years ago. Sian returned to college to complete her studies to fully train as a Nurse but personal circumstances prevented her from continuing with the course. However, opportunities and employee recognition at The Orders of St John’s Care Trust enabled Sian to progress from housekeeper to Deputy Home Manager.
Sian commenced her career at OSJCT in 2009 as a Housekeeper at another OSJCT home and thereafter applied for the Head Housekeeper vacancy and secured this position. In March next year Sian will reach her 10-year anniversary with the Trust.
To further her career development, Sian applied for a role as a Carer at the home whilst still working as Head Housekeeper. This role allowed Sian to enjoy a new relationship with residents and steered her to taking on a full-time role as a Carer at OSJCT Jubilee Lodge. Sian continued to work at OSJCT Jubilee Lodge for 4 years and in that time she progressed from Carer to Relief Care Leader to Care Leader and then to Unit Leader.
In 2016, Sian was asked by OSJCT to go on secondment as a Deputy Manager to Windsor Street Care Home in Cheltenham; one of the Trust’s biggest homes that cares for 81 residents. In 2017 she applied for the role of Deputy Manager at Edwardstow Court and was successful. Sian is now completing her Level 5 in Health and Social Care to enable her to progress to a Manager’s position within the Trust.
Sian Howse comments: “I have always been the kind of person who really likes to make a difference to people’s lives. This is why I know the care industry is for me. I really believe in the Trust’s values and grateful for the opportunities that arose, which is also why I have never thought about leaving The Orders of St John Care Trust.”