Celebrating women in homecare

At Right at Home Bordon and Alton, we have a remarkable team of women at all levels and positions across our business. Reflecting on the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day - Break the Bias - we celebrate the women who work hard to provide exceptional care to our clients who often have considerable needs and vulnerabilities but who nevertheless wish to continue living in their own homes.

A business free from bias

International Women’s Day 2022 focussed on a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. Women often form the majority of workers at the forefront of care work. Adult social care workforce data from Skills for Care shows that 82% of all care workers are female but the proportion of women in senior management roles across the sector is just 68%.

The entire Right at Home network firmly believes in the importance of placing women at all parts of the business, including senior management. We strive to be a business free from bias and we recognise the hard work and achievements of all of our staff.

Every member of our team at Right at Home Bordon and Alton is valued, whether male or female, but with International Women’s Day in mind, let’s look at two of our female managers, Sara Woodley and Claire.

About Sara

Sara Woodley is our Director of Care and Registered Manager for the Twickenham and Richmond branch. Sara started her career as a care assistant and spent the next few decades in a variety of care roles, moving up the career ladder and gathering valuable experience and insight along the way.

Sara joined Right at Home in 2013, first at the Guildford and Farnham branch shortly after it opened. She relished the challenge of helping a new business to flourish and being able to play a role in developing the branch.

She later became Registered Manager at the Bordon and Alton branch and then more recently took on the role of Registered Manager at Twickenham and Richmond. Sara was promoted to Director of Care Services in August 2021.

Sara is also heavily involved in staff development through Right at Home’s training programme.

Her involvement in staff recruitment also gives her the opportunity to bring in new staff who fit with Right at Home’s values and who can contribute to Sara’s ambition for all branches to achieve an Outstanding rating with the Care Quality Commission.

Claire’s story

As Care Manager at the Bordon and Alton branch, Claire line manages her team of CareGivers and oversees the planning of individual care packages for new clients. Networking is also part of her job as she liaises with other Right at Home branches, sharing successes and learning from peers. All this means that in-depth knowledge of providing care, a sound understanding of industry regulations and the ability to see the bigger picture are needed - as well as amazing people management.

Claire’s journey through the care industry started after a return to education when she trained as a social worker. She worked as a team leader before joining Right at Home as Care Manager. As the Bordon and Alton branch continues to grow, Claire is always on the lookout for new CareGivers.

The high quality in-house training and support for continual professional development is important to Claire in supporting staff to establish a career in caregiving. For women in homecare, there are lots of opportunities to progress for those who want to and who show a talent for the job.

Could a career in homecare be for you?

At Right at Home Bordon and Alton, we are always looking out for new people to join our team, and that includes people already working in the home care sector as well as people considering a role in the care sector for the first time. Our Careers in Care brochure sets out the different roles in homecare, the training and qualifications available to our staff and what it is like to work for Right at Home.

We are an inclusive employer, thoroughly committed to equality in the workplace and equal opportunity regardless of gender, and committed to career progression for all.

As we continue to learn and grow as a business, we encourage our team at Right at Home Bordon and Alton to contribute ideas that support our development. Together, we will #BreakTheBias.