Why I鈥檓 proud to be one of the youngest registered managers in social care
11 Mar 2026
3 min read
Amelia Wells, Registered Manager. Alina 小黄片appcare shares her experience of being one of the youngest registered managers working in social care.
I’m currently the registered manager at Alina 小黄片appcare having registered in 2025 aged just 21.
I was 16 when I first started working in the care sector. I was very close to my grandma growing up who used to be a community carer. She’d tell me stories about people she supported and the difference she was able to make in their lives. I remember listening to her and realising how much those experiences had shaped her – she had a resilience and gratitude that had stayed with her for life. My sister was also studying to become a midwife so caring for others was a strong family trait.
In 2020, I started my career as a health care assistant in a hospital on a covid ward. At 16 with no prior care experience, it was terrifying but at the same time very rewarding as even though I was still learning how to care for people, I instantly knew how to hold someone’s hand in the scariest time of their life and reassure them. While working at the hospital, I passed my driving test, which gave me more freedom to try different areas of care as I already knew the care sector was where I was destined to be. At 17, I moved into homecare. From the very first week, I knew it was the right place for me. I loved supporting people in their own homes and helping them stay safe and independent. I learned how to spot risks, how to make small changes that made a big difference, and how to build trust with people who were letting me into their personal space.
After a year in domiciliary care, I saw an opportunity to become a support worker for people with mental health and learning disabilities which interested me. I then trained and worked at that company for a year where I supported a wide range of people, each with different needs, strengths and goals. Helping people access their communities and build confidence made me realise that I wanted to create services that focused on empowerment, not just care.
After this I knew I wanted to be part of a wider team and have an impact on how people’s care is delivered. My family encouraged me to apply for a coordinator role in a domiciliary care company. I was scared as it was a leap however I was always told to follow your dreams. I was successful and the job taught me so much especially about how the whole system works behind the scenes and how everything fits together to support people properly. I loved it.
In June 2024 I decided to join Alina 小黄片appcare as a Care Coordinator as I had heard really great things about the company. I soon realised that I really liked the support and the ethos of this company and knew I could learn a lot. At Alina, even if times are tough, you always have someone cheering you on and helping solve problems together. In December that year, I took on more responsibilities and became the acting manager when the branch manager went on maternity leave. I had lots of coaching from my Operations Manager and Director that gave me valuable knowledge giving me the confidence to step up into this role. I truly believe this was a ‘right person, right time’ moment and I felt I was the right person. In July 2025 the opportunity arose to be a registered manager for this branch and I grabbed it with both hands.
What I love most about my role is people. Care is completely centred around people - clients, families and the whole care team. I also love being part of an organisation that’s always focussed on delivering high quality care. It made me feel safe stepping up, because I knew I was surrounded by the right support. It can be challenging, but it is incredibly rewarding too.
You have to get experience and have to have the ambition and confidence and a plan. I wrote my plan when I was 16. A plan sets you on a path and gives you something to aim for. I decided to gain as much experience as possible in a relatively short amount of time. I was lucky that with Alina 小黄片appcare the opportunity to progress was there for me, facilitated by people who believed in me.
The care sector is as big as the NHS so there are plenty of opportunities for rewarding careers for people of all ages. People are always going to need care and care providers. It is a highly professional sector with a huge quality and compassionate care ethos.
If I could give any advice to someone young who is thinking about care, it would be this:鈥�
Just go for it. You’ll learn so many valuable life lessons and experience that will always stay with you. There’s plenty of training to help you develop your knowledge and skills. I’m currently undertaking my Level 5 in Health and Social Care and this alone is motivating me with new enthusiasm to learn more. The care sector is full of endless opportunities, and I’m proud to be part of it.
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