A huge congratulations to John, Deputy Leader at Willow Tree Lodge, on achieving a DISTINCTION in his Level 5 Apprenticeship in Leadership and Management in Adult Social Care. We sat down with John to hear more about his experience and what the journey meant to him.

Hi John – congratulations on the Distinction! What does completing this apprenticeship mean to you?

“Finishing this apprenticeship represents a significant milestone in my professional development. It reflects not only how much I’ve grown in my role, but also my commitment to continually improving as a leader.

Balancing work, study, and personal commitments wasn’t always easy. Alongside meeting the requirements of my role as a Deputy Manager, I was supporting staff to support a person we support who was experiencing a particularly unsettled period, while also ensuring all coursework was completed and submitted on time.

At times, this meant burning the “midnight oil” to stay up to date with assessments. Reaching this point has therefore given me a real sense of achievement.”

Sounds like you put in a great effort! What was the most valuable thing you learned?

“The most valuable learning for me was gaining a deeper understanding of how to lead people in a more structured, intentional, and strengths‑based way. I learned how to apply leadership models, such as transformational leadership, to manage performance constructively and communicate with clarity – even in difficult situations. This helped ensure the team remained motivated and focused on delivering their best.”

So great to hear – who supported you the most along the way?

“I had support from several people, but my biggest supporters were my manager and colleagues on the apprenticeship journey. My manager gave me the space and encouragement to learn, reflect, and try new approaches, while my peers became a valuable source of shared experience and motivation. Their guidance and feedback helped keep me grounded and on track, especially during the more challenging parts of the programme.”

And how did you manage the apprenticeship alongside your usual role?

“Managing both required discipline and honest planning. I made a habit of blocking out protected study time, breaking tasks into manageable chunks, and staying on top of deadlines so nothing became overwhelming. I also applied what I was learning directly to my day‑to‑day role, which turned my workplace into a learning environment and made the workload much more manageable. Clear communication with my manager helped ensure expectations remained realistic.”

So what advice would you give to someone starting a Level 5 apprenticeship?

“I’d say:

• Stay organised from day one, as small tasks can build up quickly.
• Use your day‑to‑day work as evidence — almost everything you do can contribute to your portfolio.
• Ask for support when you encounter challenges; your coach, mentor, or manager is there to help.
• Reflect regularly — the more you reflect, the more meaningful the learning becomes.
• Don’t underestimate yourself. It may feel challenging at times, but you’ll be surprised by how much you grow.”

Well done, John – a fantastic achievement and an inspiration to others on their leadership journey!