When Stephen Keating started his Lead Adult Care Worker Level 3 apprenticeship, he never imagined the difference it would make - not just to his career, but to the people he supports every day.
In this article, he shares how his learning journey with Exemplar Health Care gave him the skills and confidence to build deeper relationships, provide more person-centred care, and grow his career in
Growing careers through learning
At Exemplar Health Care, we’re committed to supporting our colleagues to grow - not just in their roles, but as people.
One of the ways we do this is by offering a range of fully funded apprenticeships, designed to build confidence, develop specialist skills, and support career progression.
And you don’t need to worry about managing it all on your own - we’ll support you with the time, tools, and training to succeed.
As a Senior Health Care Assistant, Stephen was already passionate about providing high-quality, person-centred care - but he was eager to keep developing.
He spoke with his home’s Clinical Nurse Manager about his ambitions to deepen his understanding of the role and eventually train as a Mental Health Nurse.
That’s when the Lead Adult Care Worker Level 3 apprenticeship was recommended - a perfect step to help him progress towards his goals.
“I’m very pleased that my Clinical Nurse Manager suggested the apprenticeship, as I’ve gained so much knowledge and understanding of the role.”
Supporting progression every step of the way
Stephen began his career in health care after undergoing a major operation in 2022. During his recovery, he re-evaluated his career path and decided it was time for a change.
“During my recovery, I applied for a Health Care Assistant role with Exemplar Health Care, and I’ve not looked back since!"
“I loved the role from day one. I feel motivated to do well, and I have a great team supporting me, which I’ll always be grateful for.
“Both my mother and grandmother had long careers as Mental Health Nurses, and I felt I had the right skills to follow in their footsteps.”
After just one year, Stephen progressed to Senior Health Care Assistant.
Keen to keep building his skills, he chose to enrol on the Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker apprenticeship, which offered hands-on experience alongside nationally recognised qualifications to support his long-term career goals.
“This apprenticeship has given me tools I now use every day,” says Stephen, “from understanding communication styles and barriers, to showing compassion and upholding dignity and respect in all I do.”
The Lead Adult Care Worker apprenticeship is designed to help colleagues exercise judgement, take appropriate action, and support individuals in maintaining independence, dignity, and control.
It covers modules on contributing to the development of care and support plans, establishing informed consent, and actively participating in care delivery.
Real change, one conversation at a time
One of the most powerful things about apprenticeships is how quickly they can make a difference in real-life situations.
For Stephen, this moment came while supporting someone who was at risk of dehydration and reluctant to engage with others.
“One of my proudest moments was building a connection with someone who didn’t want to interact or accept regular drinks.
“I used what I’d learned about communication barriers and showing compassion.
“Bit by bit, we built trust. First, they nodded. Then came a thumbs-up. Eventually, they began responding with yes or no. Now, they ask me for drinks without prompting. That progress feels amazing.”
This story highlights the deeper value of learning - not just developing new skills, but improving lives.
Skills that stick
Stephen says the apprenticeship wasn’t just about theory - it reshaped how he approaches his work.
“At the beginning, I was worried about the amount of criteria to get through and how I’d find time to complete the required ‘off-the-job’ hours,” says Stephen.
Fortunately, he wasn’t alone - his Clinical Nurse Manager played a key role in supporting him through the journey.
“She was always there when I felt overwhelmed or unsure. She offered guidance, encouragement, and shared her knowledge in the areas where I needed help the most.”
Stephen also credits his learning coach for helping him succeed.
“My learning coach was amazing. She supported me from day one right through to the end - always helping me build confidence and addressing anything I was struggling with. She was so easy to work with and made a big difference. I owe her a lot and I’m incredibly grateful for all her time and effort.”
At Exemplar Health Care, we make it easier by offering:
paid study time as part of your working hours
a dedicated apprenticeship provider
managerial support and peer encouragement
learning tailored to your role and pace.
What’s next for Stephen?
Stephen’s apprenticeship experience has sparked a renewed passion for learning - and he’s already thinking about his next steps.
“This apprenticeship has really boosted my confidence and strengthened my knowledge and skills as a Senior Health Care Assistant.
“It’s helped me grow professionally, and I’d definitely consider more training in the future - maybe even one of our in-house Leadership Pathway programmes.”
With his drive and dedication, Stephen’s just getting started - and we can’t wait to see what he does next.
At Exemplar Health Care, we’ll give you the tools, training, and time to succeed.
If Stephen’s journey has inspired you to join a company that values your development, explore our current vacancies and take the next step in your career.
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