Learner Case Study
When Joy Amaefule-Mark began her Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care with tend, she was already a dedicated and compassionate care professional.
However, she was determined to take her skills, confidence, and leadership to the next level. What began as a simple desire to learn soon became a life-changing journey of growth, empowerment, and discovery.
Working in the care sector has always been more than just a job for Joy. It’s a calling. She’s passionate about helping people live with dignity, compassion, and respect. She wanted her training to reflect those same values.
That’s what led her to enrol on the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care with tend.
The programme is built around the needs of the care workforce, empowering learners to deliver person-centred, high-quality care every day.
From the moment she started, Joy knew she was in the right place. Her Development Coach not only understood the realities of working in care, but was deeply committed to helping her to thrive.
Like many professionals in the sector, balancing work and study was no small task for Joy. Luckily, tend has a flexible learning approach that made it achievable, and enjoyable.
With the guidance of her Development Coach, Emma Barkshire, Joy felt supported at every stage. Her coach’s encouragement and feedback helped her stay motivated, on track, and confident in her abilities.
“I enjoyed the tutoring and mentoring of my Development Coach, who ensured the journey was a smooth ride,” Joy shared. “She was always available to guide me through, read my work, and make the completion of my course a reality!”
The Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care programme covers key topics such as:
- Person-centred care
- Infection prevention and control
- Duty of care,
- Safeguarding
- Mental Health
These are just a few of the vital elements of delivering high-quality care. For Joy, the learning went far beyond ticking boxes or completing assignments. She discovered new ways to approach challenges at work, communicate effectively with colleagues, and support the individuals she cares for with greater empathy and understanding.
As Joy progressed through her studies, she noticed a transformation in her professional skill set, and in herself as well.
Her ability to lead a team, resolve conflicts, and create a positive work environment strengthened, giving her new confidence in her role and inspiring her to aim higher.
“Undergoing this training has in no small measure improved my personal development beyond the qualification. I am better able to work in a team and lead a team, resolve conflicts and maintain a healthy work environment. I’m now much more efficient and confident in my role.”
It’s this kind of personal and professional growth that sits at the heart of every tend programme. Learners earn a qualification, whilst also gaining the confidence, insight, and practical experience to truly excel in their careers.
Joy’s success didn’t stop with her Level 3 qualification. Motivated by her achievements and inspired by the quality of her learning experience, she’s already planning her next step: progressing to her Level 5 in Leadership and Management for Adult Care.
“I have informed my Manager of my intention to commence my Level 5 as soon as possible. Learning can be fun with some tutors — trust me!”
Her enthusiasm for lifelong learning is contagious, and she’s keen to encourage others in the sector to take the same step.
“I recommend tend to anyone who is looking to grow and impact lives in the social care industry,” Joy said. “The completion of the course has got me a pay rise and better qualified me to apply for higher roles within and outside my organisation.”
Joy’s journey reflects the core values of the tend mission: turning learners into leaders. Her success is one of many inspiring examples of how high-quality, sector-specific apprenticeships are helping to future-proof the UK’s care workforce, building stronger teams, more confident leaders, and better outcomes for the people they support.
For employers, stories like Joy’s highlight how investing in staff training through tend boosts knowledge, builds capability, and cultivates a culture of excellence that benefits everyone.
For learners, it’s a reminder that professional development is a journey worth taking. Also, with the right support, it can be truly life-changing.
Explore our full range of health and social care apprenticeships, from Level 2 to Level 5, and discover how you or your team can become proudly tend-trained.
