Outreach and Day Service Manager Craig is ‘living the dream’ with Trinity SCS
Craig McGowan is in his dream job. When Armagh Jobs put the question to him of “If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?” he replied “I’m in it.”
Craig has worked his way through the ranks with Trinity Support and Care Services, starting out as a Team Leader and now preparing to move into an Area Manager’s role.
A brief stint as a Wedding Sales Coordinator, whilst wholly enjoyable, only reinforced his belief that he had been in the right industry all along in Health and Social care.
What is your role in the company and what does a typical day entail?
I am in the process of moving into an Area Manager Role, and my day consists of Rota Management, Staff Management, as well as dealing with Social Workers, MDT teams, and Parents of Service Users.
I currently run a Day Service and Outreach in Cavan and Monaghan, and am in the process of opening a second Day Service in the ROI. Most importantly, I ensure that all governance is within compliance, and that our Service Users have every opportunity to live their best life and be as independent as possible.
What was your route into the company?
I started at Trinity in a Team Leader Role, setting up a new service for an individual who was going to be moving into Supported Living. I then moved into a PIC Manager Role, where I was able to ensure that proper governance was being met as well as growing the service by building trust and respect with the local social workers. This led to me moving into an Area Manager Role.
How long have you been involved in this type of work?
I have been working in Social Care for 15+ years.
Where did you work before this?
I took a break from Social Care, and spent two years working at Lusty Beg Island, as a Wedding Sales Coordinator. I loved this, but it was not my niche, and I wanted to get back into Social Care. If you are meant to be in Social Care, no other profession can make you feel as satisfied as helping someone to achieve their best self.
What were your favourite subjects at school and why?
I loved Geography, as it allowed us to learn about different parts of the world and their cultural differences.
Did you go on to university or further education and what did you study?
I did go to university and studied Psychology and Business. A little later in life, I realised that I wanted to help people, and I returned to school to study Social Work, and I have been in this field ever since.
Did you always have this career in mind?
No, I wanted to be a Psychologist, but then decided to go into business. My business skills have come in very handy in helping me to grow as a Social Care Manager.
What do you enjoy about it?
I love seeing someone I am supporting, grow into an individual who can exercise choice and independence. Just because someone may be non-communicative, or non-verbal, does not mean
that they do not have desires or have the ability to make a decision. It is how their support staff treat them and teach them how to communicate in a way that their desires can be understood.
What are the main skills required for it?
Dedication, dependability, organisation, patience, determination, caring personality, and love for others.
What would your advice be to anyone thinking of it as a career?
Caring for someone, or supporting others, is one of the most rewarding careers in the world.
If you could do any job in the world, what would it be?
I am doing it now, working in support and making a difference for so many others. I plan to continue growing and hope to eventually get into a Directors Position, where I can help to create
and enforce the policies and structures which are so heavily relied upon by our service users.
How do you relax when you’re not working?
I love to curl up on the couch and watch a good movie with my Spouse. There is nothing like a good movie with a strong ending. I also love to travel when I have the time, as this allows me to
see the world in so many ways.
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