Today we share Jenni’s story. Now Registration Lead Officer in Registration, Hearings and Improvement department, Jenni left school at 18 to study English.
When did you leave school?
I left school at 18 and went to university to study English. After university, I was unsure about a career pathway and without a definitive qualification, like a lawyer, hairdresser or tradesperson, I really had no idea what I wanted to do but I needed to work.
What attracted you to a role in social care?
I was drawn to a role in social care, supporting individuals with learning and physical disabilities, some were visually or hearing impaired. I thought it sounded interesting and would give me a chance to give something back, increase my skills and get into full time employment.
I was 23 when I started a social care role and it would be fair to say I was blindsided. I had lots of experience on the ‘social’ side of things but none in care.
However, I found that with great training and support, I really settled into this role. I began to understand that to build trusting and meaningful relationships with supported individuals I needed to adjust to their communication methods and could see the difference I was making to their lives.
How did your career progress?
This was not my chosen career but time went by and I moved into more senior roles, managing several services supporting individuals with wide ranging needs across Dundee. I remained working in social care for 13 years and can honestly say this was the most rewarding and at times challenging period of my life. It quickly helped me become more responsible and helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses, developing life skills along the way.
I found a passion for ensuring that people receiving care and support are enabled to live valued and meaningful lives and also for leading teams and supporting individuals to develop.
When did you join the SSSC?
In 2015, I saw an opportunity to work with the SSSC and felt that my values aligned with the organisation. I was keen to contribute to work which ensures that people receiving care and support in Scotland receive this from the right people with the right training, knowledge and standards. That was 11 years ago and I continue to believe in the work we do and the benefits of a regulated workforce, taking every opportunity to share this mindset with registrants across Scotland.