At Courtyard Care, we are proud to celebrate the dedication and commitment of our colleagues, and this year marks a very special milestone for Steven Chijota, Registered Manager at Wycombe Way, who is celebrating 10 years with the service.
Steven joined Wycombe Way as a Support Worker in May 2016 and has spent the last 10 years developing his skills, progressing through a variety of roles before stepping into his current position as Registered Manager.
Reflecting on his journey, Steven said: "Over the last decade, I've been incredibly fortunate to progress through various roles, learning the service from the ground up before eventually stepping into my current role as Registered Manager. It's been a rewarding journey of personal and professional growth."
Interestingly, Steven never originally planned a career in children's residential care. While working part-time for a recruitment agency, he was asked to cover a shift at a children's residential home – an experience that would ultimately change the direction of his career.
"Up until that point, I hadn't really considered care as a career path, but the exact moment I stepped into that home and started interacting with the children, something clicked. I realised right then and there that this was exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I traded the computer screen for a role where I could make a human impact, and I've never looked back."
Today, as Registered Manager, Steven enjoys the variety that every day brings and takes great pride in supporting both his team and the young people who call Wycombe Way home.
"No two days are the same. While I handle the operational side now, what I enjoy most is empowering my team and walking into the home to see a safe, happy environment where both the children and the staff are thriving."
One of Steven's proudest achievements has been leading the service's improvement journey and helping secure a strong Good Ofsted rating. "Turning our Ofsted rating from 'Requires Improvement' to a very strong 'Good' was a massive team effort and proof of how much we have improved the quality of life for our young people."
Throughout his time at Wycombe Way, Steven has seen many changes across the sector and within the organisation. Through it all, he says the team's resilience and commitment to children and young people has remained constant.
"We've experienced a number of changes over the years, but what has stood out most is the resilience of the team. Through every change, they've remained focused on what matters most – providing the best possible support for our children and young people."
For Steven, the most rewarding part of his role is seeing the progress made by the children and young people supported by the service. "Seeing those little steps of progress and the smiles from our young people is incredibly rewarding. It's wonderful to watch them thrive in our care, build positive relationships with their peers and staff, and to receive positive feedback from their wider circle of support."
Steven recently celebrated his 10-year milestone alongside colleagues at Wycombe Way – a moment that gave him the opportunity to reflect on everything that has been achieved since he first joined the service.
"It felt surreal. It was a moment to reflect on everything we've achieved since 2016. It felt like a celebration of the family we've built here, not just a work anniversary."
The team made sure the occasion was one to remember. "I was blown away. The team put so much thought and effort into making the day special, which really reflects the supportive culture we've created at the home. From the decorations and food to the cake and the number of people who came along, it was fantastic."
Regional Director Luke Cuniff shared "Steven is an exceptional leader who always goes above and beyond for both the children and his team. His compassion, dedication and ability to bring out the best in others have made a lasting difference over the past 10 years. We are incredibly grateful for everything he has contributed to Wycombe Way and look forward to seeing his positive impact continue for many years to come."
Managing Director Pete Hylton said: "Steven's contribution to Wycombe Way is something to be incredibly proud of. From joining Wycombe Way as a Support Worker to becoming Registered Manager, he has consistently demonstrated dedication, compassion and a genuine commitment to making a positive difference."
"Over the years, Steven has played an important role in supporting the growth and development of Wycombe Way. Through periods of change and development, he has remained focused on what matters most – creating a positive environment where those in our care can thrive and where colleagues feel supported to grow."
"On behalf of everyone at Courtyard Care, I would like to thank Steven for his contribution over the last 10 years and congratulate him on this well-deserved milestone."
When asked what advice he would give to anyone considering a career with Courtyard Care or in children's residential care, Steven's answer was simple: "I'd tell them to go for it. It requires patience, resilience and empathy, but if you want a career where you can genuinely see the impact of your work every single day, you won't find anything more fulfilling. Courtyard Care is a place where you can learn, develop and grow, just like I did."
Looking ahead, Steven remains focused on continuing to build on the service's successes and supporting the next generation of care professionals.
"I'm looking forward to continuing to build on our successes and ensuring our home continues to provide high-quality care and live our ethos. I want to keep mentoring the next generation of Support Workers, Team Leaders and Deputy Managers, helping them build their skills and confidence as they progress in their careers. Ultimately, I'm excited to see more young people walk through our doors and leave having made progress in all areas of their lives."
Steven's journey is a testament to the difference that commitment, compassion and strong leadership can make. Throughout his time at Wycombe Way, he has helped shape the service into a place where children and young people can feel safe, supported and empowered to achieve their goals.
Congratulations, Steven, on this well-deserved milestone.
