An ambitious care professional from South Tyneside has taken the next step on the career ladder by taking on a Level 5 apprenticeship with Realise.

Abigail Stephenson is midway through her Leader in Adult Care apprenticeship while working as service manager at United Response, a charity that provides support to autistic people and adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs.

At 27-years-old, Abigail manages four supported living services and one outreach service.

She is enjoying her apprenticeship and is developing new learning strategies after a recent attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis.

Speaking during National Apprenticeship Week, Abigail said: “I was an assistant manager elsewhere but felt ready to be a manager. I’d considered doing a qualification privately to help me take that next step but then the opportunity came up with United Response and I jumped at it.

“The apprenticeship is going really well and I couldn’t have picked a better tutor than Jo Pope.

“I was diagnosed with ADHD at the end of last year so it is still all very new to me and I am learning to adapt. I am finding out how I learn best and trying new techniques.

“I had an honest chat with Jo before I started the apprenticeship to establish boundaries and she has been extremely supportive.

“We keep the sessions short so I do not lose concentration and there is lots of interaction. It’s about acknowledging I have strengths and weaknesses and being OK with that.

“I manage quite intense services, so doing a Level 5 apprenticeship alongside my day job is testing, but Jo and Realise have made it manageable.”

Abigail completed a degree in Health and Social Care at The University of Sunderland before entering the sector as an assistant at a care home.

It wasn’t long, though, before she realised her future lay away from residential care.

She said: “Like many people, I started in elderly care but I much prefer support work. I love the flexibility of it, visiting different places and working with different ages. I’m currently supporting people aged between 22 and 74 and it’s such a great mix.

“My plan is to complete the apprenticeship, thrive as service manager, expand on my services and then, eventually, become a registered manager or a regional manager.”

Realise’s Level 5 Leader in Adult Care apprenticeship is an 18-month programme including modules in management theories, governance and regulatory processes and partnership work.

Realise is one of the UK’s leading training providers, helping more than 16,500 learners every year.

For more information, visit www.realisetraining.com