Alice’s Story

Alice is a Care Lead at Henshaws Specialist College. Here she shares her story from starting her career in care at the age of 19.

About me

My name is Alice Fincham-Dukes and I am a Care Lead at Henshaws Specialist College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

My background

I started working at Henshaws when I was 19 having worked previously in retail and nightclubs

My Henshaws journey

Care was new to me and quite daunting to start with! I can honestly say I don’t know exactly at what point I realised that Care was the career for me.

I started as an Enabler, which involves helping students aged 16 to 25 develop their independence and confidence with skills for life. During evenings and weekends we would support the students with leisure activities such as discos, going to the local pub as well as going to places like the deep. I was supported to do my level 2 and 3 in health and social care

I briefly worked with another care provider before returning to Henshaws as a Senior Care Officer. I was then successful in gaining another promotion to Care Lead.

Enabler to senior leader

I am now responsible for overseeing a service within college specific to meeting the needs of learners with autism and sensory difficulties.

There isn’t anything that I dislike about my job. Every day is different and there is never a day that goes by where I don’t laugh. I get to work with a staff team who are dedicated to the students and our values.