Finalist in last year’s Women Achieving Greatness in Social Care Awards, Emma Carrington, Managing Director for Residential Services at Horizon Care and Education, shares her approach to empowering colleauges and young people to reach their full potential.
The value of female leadership in social care provides children and young people with positive role models for what can be achieved and a view of women as high achievers. This is an important social value that helps children to view all as equal regardless of gender identity. Within my role, this also inspires the wider business workforce and young people we look after that female leadership is one to be celebrated. I always encourage my colleagues and young people to remain determined so they can progress in their careers to reach senior leadership.
In my various roles within social care, I have always promoted the need to celebrate achievements however big or small. I encourage individuals working with children and young people to always promote positive outcomes and allow young people to experience new things, celebrate diversity, and reach their full potential in education and within their social and emotional developmental journey. Young people who are looked after in social care settings deserve the same opportunities as their peers and for all their achievements to be celebrated. I have always empowered my team to lead change, share ideas and learn from others to better inform practice.
I am proud of my progression within social care over the last 20 years within various care roles, management and senior leadership, and proud of those whom I have supported to develop their paths within their roles. I am also immensely proud of the achievements of the children and young people I have cared for over the years, watching them grow and develop their sense of identity and belonging. I hope this will inspire others to celebrate their outcomes within social care and to have the same sense of achievement and to celebrate this.
Leadership is about recognising the strengths and development areas of others and being part of a team with a shared objective to achieve the best outcomes. There are many challenges within social care, and it is important to be present, available, approachable and to share knowledge and learn from each other to achieve success. Recognising and supporting future leaders of tomorrow and sharing my knowledge and experience will assist emerging leaders in navigating the current challenges and opportunities for social care and help them build rewarding careers that enable young people to reach their full potential.
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horizoncare.co.uk
