Leah’s Care Wins Her Through
A Lancashire carer is one step closer to being named one of her profession’s top individuals after success at a major competition showcasing excellence in social care.
Leah Whelan, 25, a support worker and acting team leader with Accrington-based Affinity Supporting People, part of the Springhill Care Group, was earlier this year nominated for the WorldSkillsUK Competition for Health and Social Care.
As a result, Leah recently took part in a regional heat, held at Shipley College, and scored third place in the competition.
Once all regional heats have been held, those individuals with the top 10 results will go through to the national UK final which will take place in November.
WorldSkillsUK Skills is organised by the National Skills Academy for Social Care, and forms part of the world’s largest vocational skills competition.
It organises competitions in partnership with organisations from both industry and education, and aims to find the best adult health and social care workers in the country.
Leah was nominated by her tutors at Burnley College, where she is studying a Level 3 apprenticeship. During the competition she was required to demonstrate the delivery of excellent healthcare through a mix of written tests and live activities, assessed by a panel of judges.
She said: “I am in shock. I was not confident but I really liked the challenge and I am looking forward to taking this experience further.”
Lead judge Pat Pearson said: “Worldskills just gets better and better as a competition and a real showcase for how well social care is carried out.
“It was a pleasure to observe such committed competitors taking part in this heat at Shipley College and to award prizes to some outstanding care workers and students.”