Cook / Housekeeper
Who is Progress?
We are an established provider of specialist services for children and young adults from 0-25, who have disabilities and specialist needs, including profound and multiple learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties, physical disability, sensory impairment, complex health care needs, acquired brain injury, and Autism. This encompasses a fostering agency, residential homes, supported living, a range of short break solutions, home and community support, preparation for independence and much more. As a values-led, family-owned business, we are not prepared to compromise on the quality and safety of our services, which are delivered following our owner’s ethos; ‘if it is not good enough for your own family, it is not good enough for our customers’..
We pride ourselves on enabling a more ordinary life to be experienced through extra-ordinary service delivery, with the people we support being the heart of everything we do. Everyone deserves a childhood and to move on into independence – this takes innovation every day as one size does not fit all where people are concerned!
Why work for Progress?
We asked some of our staff this question and the words they used in response included… friendly, further your career, support, extensive training, like a family, accepted, good team relationships, accommodating, flexibility, work ethic with colleagues, caring, shared passion, values aligned to your own, passion, not just a job; a career, gained skills, personal progression, support for staff; not just the people we care for, be part of a journey and the growth of the organisation, family feel, personal growth, opportunities, acknowledgement and recognition of efforts, not just a number, make a difference, feel appreciated, properly appraised annually with resulting outcomes, thorough induction, personal approach, no hierarchy, delivering on promises, high staff retention, respected as equals.
Even our temp had a positive opinion, “a great supportive team, allowing you to work flexibly with great opportunities to develop and apply your skills to assist across the business”.
We are passionate about developing our staff and their individual careers. We take pride in developing our future managers, with the capability, vision, and ability to meet the changing needs of the sector in a creative and responsive manner. We secured the Gold Investors in People Award, with 84% of staff agreeing we are ‘developing great leaders.’
We are proud of our teams; they really go the extra mile. We are also proud of our consistently high staff retention; we could not deliver the excellence we strive for, without every individual. We care deeply about delivering on our promises and feel extremely privileged to employ so many amazing people who share our vision and our determination! What more could we want!
At the heart of Progress, The Hub is a vibrant supported living service dedicated to transforming the lives of young adults. Helmed by Kimberley Parkes, the service lead, and Rachael Thompson, the registered manager, The Hub fosters a nurturing environment where residents can achieve their full potential. The service is specially designed to support young…
At Stourbridge Children, a crucial part of Progress Children’s Services, the commitment to providing high-quality care for children with challenging and complex needs is evident in the dedication and adaptability of the staff. This service operates around the clock, ensuring that every young person receives the personalised attention and support they require. Stourbridge Children is…
All children are progressing extremely well and receiving the individualised care they need to flourish. Regis House, a key home under Progress Children’s Services, has received glowing feedback following its latest independent Regulation 44 review. The report highlighted exceptional care and the remarkable progress of children within its care. “All children are progressing extremely well…
Oak Cottage is a unique and dynamic home for young people with complex needs, and one of its team leaders is Kelly. Her role embodies a delicate balance of leadership, hands-on care, and strategic oversight, ensuring both the young people and staff thrive in a supportive and nurturing environment. Kelly’s journey to team leadership began…
At Oak Cottage, a home dedicated to supporting young people with complex needs, the deputy manager plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of the home and the wellbeing of both staff and residents. Mandy is the current Deputy Manager at Oak Cottage. Mandy’s day as a deputy manager is a mix of…
At Oak Cottage, the festive season is more than just a time of the year — it’s an opportunity to bring the magic of Christmas to life for the young people and staff alike. For Tony Marsden, a residential support worker who has spent the last decade at Oak Cottage, the holiday period is a…
Oak Cottage isn’t just a residential facility—it’s a home where young people with complex needs are supported by a dedicated team that fosters their growth and wellbeing. Through the perspectives of Tony, Kelly, and Mandy, we see how empathy, teamwork, and resilience create a nurturing environment that transforms lives. For Tony Marsden, a residential support…
At Oak Cottage, a Progress home for young people with complex needs, the role of a residential support worker goes far beyond a traditional job description. It’s a dynamic and deeply rewarding position, requiring a balance of compassion, adaptability, and dedication. Tony, who recently celebrated ten years in the role, offers a glimpse into what…
When I joined Wellcroft House as a student social worker in September, I knew Black History Month was just around the corner, and I wanted to create something truly meaningful. Together with Denise, one of our dedicated staff members, we brainstormed ways to make this celebration impactful for everyone. We felt that Black History Month…
The best part of the job is seeing how they’ve progressed because it’s all about progression. In a heartwarming success story, twin siblings at Progress Children’s Services recently achieved a remarkable milestone by winning a local art competition. The twins, both diagnosed with global developmental delay and autism, joined Progress Children’s Services, earlier this year…
Working the night shift as a support worker at Progress is more than just a job; it’s a commitment to ensuring the well-being and stability of those who depend on the services provided. As the sun sets and most people wind down their day, night shift support workers at Progress gear up for their crucial…
In July 2024, Progress launched the My Progress Values challenge to inspire creative expression among young people by reflecting on the core values of our organisation—Care, Trust, Respect and Progress and Progress. After months of thoughtful participation from across our services, we are excited to announce Regis House as the overall winner of this competition….
