Carla’s story

From the dance teacher to area manager

Carla trained as a dancer, and enjoyed a career as a dance teacher. Carla joined Lifeways in May 2014 and has since impressively worked her way up from a support worker role to Acting Area Manager.

Carla began her career in support work at our Dubford service in Aberdeen, where we support 24 people with complex learning disabilities and autism in purpose-built supported living apartments. In August 2014, the acting team leader of the service saw potential in Carla and encouraged her to apply for a senior support worker role, which would make her a permanent team member.

In 2015, a service manager position became available and once again Carla was encouraged to apply. Carla ran one of the services and made some fantastic improvements in a very short space of time. She actively enhanced the working environment and recruited a team of people who were dedicated to enriching the lives of the people we support every day. Carla was then promoted to registered manager of the whole service.

Carla says: “Since I started at Lifeways I have been intrigued by the Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) model. PBS gives you an understanding of so much more than just how to reduce challenging behaviour. It gives you an insight into so many things, and I truly believe this has made me both a better person and a better manager.

Over the last few years I have progressed quite quickly in my career, and this has a lot to do with the amazing team at Dubford. Our very high standards have been possible due to the tireless work of this team. They have a thorough understanding of the people we support and what they need, and they are always pushing boundaries to promote more independence and meaning to the lives of the people in our care.

"At the end of 2017 I became the Acting Area Manager and Area Behavioural Specialist for Glasgow and South Lanarkshire. I am absolutely thrilled and I am committed to promoting excellence across all areas. I want to continue to make a difference to the lives of as many people as possible.”