Learner Case Study
When it comes to compassionate, people-centred leadership, Karen Brown sets the bar high. A dedicated professional at Home Instead, Karen has always been driven by her commitment to delivering exceptional care, and supporting those around her.
When the opportunity arose to complete her Level 5 Visionary Leaders in Healthcare apprenticeship with tend, she saw it as the perfect way to strengthen her leadership skills and make an even bigger impact.
“I wanted to challenge myself and learn how to bring out the best in others,” Karen explains. “I’ve always loved supporting my team, but I wanted to feel confident in my leadership decisions and have the tools to make positive change.”
For Karen, this apprenticeship wasn’t just about gaining a qualification. It was about growing as a leader, and a person.
Throughout her journey, Karen received guidance and encouragement from her tend Development Coach, who helped her connect her learning directly to her role at Home Instead.
Each module gave her new insight into leadership, communication, and operational excellence, all of which she applied straight away in the workplace.
“The support I had from tend was brilliant,” Karen says. “My Development Coach helped me to think differently, approach challenges with confidence, and focus on my own growth as well as my team’s. I felt supported every step of the way.”
That blend of real-world application and tailored support is exactly what tend is known for. We help learners to develop the skills, confidence, and mindset to lead effectively across the health and social care sector.
Karen’s hard work and dedication paid off when she successfully completed her End Point Assessment, achieving an impressive Distinction overall. Her assessor praised her professionalism, knowledge, and leadership insight throughout, particularly during her professional discussion, which received outstanding feedback.
As Rachel Fozzard noted, “The feedback for the professional discussion is some of the best Level 5 feedback we have had on healthcare leadership.”
This glowing recognition reflects Karen’s commitment; but also the strength of the tend learning experience, built to empower professionals to lead with confidence, care, and credibility.
Karen is quick to credit her employer, Home Instead, for playing a key role in her success. The organisation’s culture of continuous development and encouragement helped her put theory into practice, and bring her best self to every situation.
“Home Instead were fantastic,” she says. “They supported me all the way through, allowing me to implement what I was learning into real scenarios. It made the experience so much more meaningful because I could see the difference in my team straight away.”
Home Instead’s commitment to developing its people mirrors the tend vision of creating a future-ready workforce; one where leaders are equipped with skills, empathy, resilience, and purpose.
Since completing her apprenticeship, Karen has seen a real change in her confidence and leadership style. She’s more self-assured, more strategic in her decision-making, and more inspired than ever to drive positive outcomes for the people she supports.
“This experience has completely changed how I see myself as a leader,” she reflects. “It’s given me a better understanding of my own strengths and how to use them to inspire others. I’ve grown so much, both professionally and personally; and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.”
Karen’s journey is a shining example of how tend apprenticeships turn ambition into action, and passion into progress. Her success showcases what’s possible when dedicated professionals are given the tools and support to thrive.
Karen’s Distinction result is a testament to her passion for care, and the strength of the tend learning experience. It’s also a proud moment for Home Instead; proof that investing in leadership development brings real results, both for individuals and the wider care community.
At tend, we believe great care starts with great leadership. That’s why our Level 5 Visionary Leaders in Healthcare apprenticeship is designed to help talented individuals like Karen take their next step, combining real-world experience with tailored support to develop confident, capable, and compassionate leaders across the healthcare sector.
Because at tend, we’re not just training professionals. We’re turning learners into leaders.
