Candidate Case Studies

Val Stangoe works is a Chief Officer at a hospice in Middlesex. Val achieved the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care in November 2011. Here Val shares her experience of working with Revolutions to achieve this new qualification.

How does this qualification fit with future organisational and personal career plans?

'I was taking on the role of Chief Officer in an organisation where the Registered Manager had recently left. It was agreed with Trustees that I would become Registered Manager and so therefore the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership was not only a requirement of the post but also necessary to comply with CQC regulations.'

What support did you receive to identify the appropriate optional units to meet a) organisational objectives and b) your professional and personal objectives?

'My tutor from Revolutions worked with me to identify those units which would be of most use in my role. There were a group of modules which it was obvious would be useful to me as someone with no previous experience in managing service delivery. A second group of modules were identifiable because they were either areas of special interest to me or with significant relevance to my client group.'

What difference do you think has undertaking and achieving the Level 5 Diploma made to a) you personally and b) to your practice?

'Post-course I feel more aware of the different areas of the organisation which I need to consider and develop for example; governance, communications and risk. The course reinforced in a useful way how much I did already know. Having also recognised my weaker areas I can be doubly sure to follow-up on them.' 

What difference do you think has undertaking and achieving the Level 5 Diploma made to the business?

'I think starting the course within 2 months of starting the job helped me to gain confidence and explore my role in a supported way. This meant I have hit the ground more quickly than perhaps I might have without the course guiding my development.  This has been beneficial for the hospice in that I have been a fully functioning Chief Officer from early on in my tenure.'

What was your experience of working with Revolutions Training?

'I loved the way the Revolutions course works with an e-portfolio and being able to negotiate my timescale.  I am very self-motivated and find it frustrating to have my pace of work set externally. I could make the decision that it was beneficial to me and the organisation for me to move on this very quickly and then follow through on that decision in a dedicated way. Achieving my knowledge and skills goals early has put me in a better position professionally.'