From a nervous first day to leading the team, Megan’s story is what Progress is all about.
When Megan walked into Progress’ Oak Cottage for the first time on Monday 19 February 2024, she carried a mix of nerves and quiet determination. At just 21, she was stepping into her first official role as a Residential Support Worker (RSW). It wasn’t her first job, but it was her first experience with a structured company, clear responsibilities and visible paths for progression.
“I was looking for something new, something challenging, but still with children,” Megan recalls. “My previous job just wasn’t pushing me anymore. I needed a fresh start, something that would stretch me.”
Those first few days were a whirlwind. Oak Cottage was in a period of transition with interim managers in place, but Megan remembers the welcome she received. “Even with the changes, it felt calm. The team supported me from day one. I didn’t feel like ‘the new person’ for long because they trusted me quickly and gave me opportunities I never expected at my age.”
One of those moments came early on: being trusted to drive a young person with complex needs. “I’d been driving friends and family for years, but this was different. The responsibility felt huge. Then we put Disney music on, and the young person’s face just lit up. My nerves melted away at that moment. It reminded me exactly why I wanted to work with children in the first place.”
Spotting potential
It wasn’t just Megan who was learning; her colleagues were watching her adapt and grow. Bethany Jordan, Oak Cottage’s manager, remembers seeing something special early on.
“Her people skills stood out straight away,” Bethany says. “Moving from support worker to Team Leader so quickly isn’t something everyone can do, but Megan has this natural way of mentoring others and managing shifts. Staff feedback has been overwhelmingly positive about how well she supports them through training, supervision and day-to-day challenges. She’s grown massively in confidence and knows exactly who to call and what to ask if I’m not around.”
Despite that promise, Megan didn’t immediately see herself as leadership material. “I honestly didn’t have much confidence in myself. I’d never been given opportunities like this before. It was the staff team who told me to aim higher. They saw something in me that I hadn’t seen in myself yet.”
Encouraged by her colleagues, Megan applied for the Team Leader role. What followed was a smooth but intense transition. “From day one, Beth was my wing woman,” Megan laughs. “I had my Team Leader induction, and within hours there was a plan for what I needed to learn, develop and take on. The support I had was incredible, but there was also a clear expectation — this was my role now, and I had to grow into it.”
Growing into leadership
The shift from RSW to Team Leader wasn’t just a change in title; it was a change in perspective. “As a support worker, my focus was entirely on the children. As a Team Leader, I still focus on them, but now I also have to make sure the staff are okay. If they’re not supported, they can’t give the best care to the kids. It’s a new balance — caring for the carers so they can care for the children.”
One of Megan’s biggest lessons has been learning to delegate. “When I first started, I wanted to do everything myself. I thought that’s what being a good leader meant. But with seven young people and 14 staff, that just isn’t sustainable. I had to learn to trust others the way Beth and the team trusted me when I started.”
She has developed her own style of delegation, rooted in explanation and development rather than instruction. “I don’t just hand out tasks. I explain why they matter. If I ask someone to prepare something, it’s because a social worker visit is coming up and we need everything ready. I want staff to see the bigger picture and grow in their roles. Not everyone will want to be a Team Leader, and that’s fine. But they can still progress, develop and take pride in what they do.”
Bethany has watched that evolution closely. “Megan has learned to balance doing with leading. She has realised leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself but about lifting others up so the whole team thrives. That’s a hard lesson to learn early in a career, but she’s done it brilliantly.”
Building a family at Oak Cottage
Ask Megan to describe Oak Cottage now, and her answer is immediate: “It’s one big family. We might have two buildings, but we’re one team. You feel that as soon as you walk through the door. The kids are like family, and so are the staff. That sense of togetherness is what makes this place special.”
For Megan, that family spirit comes with responsibility. “Our kids have been through so much. Anyone who works here has to be nurturing and genuinely care. They need to have energy when it’s needed but also know when to be calm and grounded. Sometimes that means dancing around the living room to make a child smile, and sometimes it means holding steady through a difficult meeting. It’s about having that balance.”
Bethany agrees. “What Megan has helped foster is that mix of professionalism and warmth. The team sees her leading by example, and the young people see consistency and care. That combination builds trust, and trust is everything in this job.”
Looking back — and forward
Reflecting on her journey, Megan admits the changes have been bigger than she expected. “I’ve definitely grown, not just at work but as a person. The role has opened my eyes to so much. I treasure my time with the kids more now because I don’t get as much direct time with them as before. That makes those moments even more special.”
As summer unfolds, Oak Cottage is buzzing with activity — safari park visits, bake-offs, paddling pools and beach trips. For Megan, these moments are a reminder of why the job matters. “It’s hard work, but when you see the joy on their faces, you know it’s worth every bit of effort.”
Bethany sees Megan’s journey as a reflection of Progress’s values. “We’re here to nurture potential, whether that’s in our young people or our staff. Megan’s story is proof of what can happen when you invest in both. She has gone from a nervous first day to leading a team in just over a year, and she’s only getting started.”
Start Your Own Journey at Oak Cottage
Megan’s story is just one example of how far you can go with the right support and opportunities. At Oak Cottage, we’re always looking for caring, dedicated people who want to make a real difference in children’s lives – and grow in their own careers along the way.
If you’re ready to take the first step towards a rewarding role in children’s residential care, we’d love to hear from you. Fill in the form below to start your journey with us.