Supporting the people who care – an interview with our lead recruiter
Behind every great care team is a group of people working together to welcome, support and guide new carers as they join the organisation.
At Ashridge Home Care, one of the people who often plays an important role in that journey is Jodie Lansley, our Lead Recruiter. Over the past four years, Jodie has been part of the team helping new carers take their first steps with Ashridge, supporting them through the recruitment and onboarding process and ensuring they feel confident and welcomed from the very beginning.
We sat down with Jodie to talk about recruitment in the care sector, what makes a great carer, and why she believes working in care is one of the most meaningful careers someone can choose.
Jodie, how did you get into recruitment within the care sector?
I’ve been working in recruitment within the care sector for about four years now, and I genuinely love what I do.
One of the most rewarding parts of my role is meeting and speaking with incredible carers every single day. The compassion, dedication and difference carers make constantly reminds me why this sector is so special.
Care attracts people who genuinely want to help others, and that really comes through in conversations with candidates. It’s inspiring to see the passion and kindness people bring to this profession.
What does your role involve at Ashridge?
As part of the recruitment team, my role is to support candidates throughout their journey with us — from that very first conversation, through onboarding, and right up to when they start their role.
I oversee the onboarding process and work hard to make it as smooth and stress-free as possible. We keep candidates updated and supported every step of the way so they feel confident and prepared before they begin working with our clients.
At Ashridge, people are never treated as just another application. We understand that choosing a role in care is an important decision, and we want people to feel welcomed, valued and supported from the start.
Even after carers begin working with us, I still check in with them to make sure they’re settling in well.
In your experience, what makes a great carer?
For me, the most important qualities are compassion, patience and reliability.
Skills and experience are important, and we provide training to help carers develop those. But the heart of care is really about how you treat people.
Great carers take time to listen. They notice the small things that matter to someone — how they like their tea, the stories they enjoy sharing, or the routines that help them feel comfortable in their own home.
It’s also about respect. Supporting someone to maintain their independence and dignity is incredibly important.
The carers we work with at Ashridge bring kindness, professionalism and genuine dedication to their role every single day, and that’s what makes such a difference to the people they support.
What makes Ashridge a good place for carers to work?
One of the things I’m most proud of is how Ashridge looks after its carers.
We offer one of the best rates of pay across the care industry, and we’re proud to be recognised as the highest payer for carers in Buckinghamshire.
Our commitment goes beyond simply meeting the National Minimum Wage — we significantly exceed it. By providing competitive pay, we demonstrate our appreciation for the dedication and professionalism carers bring to their role every day.
Just as we treat our clients as individuals, we treat our carers with the same personal approach.
There’s a strong belief within our organisation that happy staff equal happy clients, and that philosophy guides how we support and develop our team.
What kind of training and support do carers receive?
Training and support are incredibly important to us.
All our staff are trained using the nationally recognised Care Certificate, which provides a strong foundation for working in care. In addition, we offer enhanced training to ensure carers feel confident and fully equipped for their role.
We’re also fortunate to have highly respected in-house medical experts who are available to offer advice and guidance whenever needed.
Alongside formal training, we’ve developed a supportive community where colleagues help and support each other. Care can sometimes be challenging, so knowing there is always support available makes a real difference.
How does Ashridge recognise the work of its care team?
We believe carers deserve to be recognised and celebrated.
Every year, many of our carers are praised for the outstanding work they do. From live-in carers who support clients day in and day out, to our care managers who ensure hundreds of people receive the highest standard of care, every member of the team plays a vital role.
Our enhanced rewards and recognition programme attracts the very best carers, while also ensuring that people feel valued and appreciated for the work they do.
Caring is one of the most important jobs there is, yet carers don’t always receive the recognition or pay they deserve. At Ashridge, we are working hard to change that.
Why do you think now is a great time to join the care sector?
Care is a career where you can genuinely change someone’s life. You’re helping people maintain independence, dignity and comfort in their own home. For many older people, a carer is not only someone who provides practical support, but also companionship, conversation and reassurance.
Loneliness and social isolation remain significant challenges for many older people today. It’s estimated that around two million older people in England are currently living with some unmet need for social care, meaning they may not be receiving the support they need to live safely and well at home.
That’s why the role carers play is so important. A compassionate, reliable carer can make an enormous difference — not just to someone’s physical wellbeing, but also to their confidence, happiness and sense of connection.
At Ashridge, we’re also a young company that’s growing from strength to strength. Our recent awards recognise not only the outstanding service we provide to our clients, but also how we value and support our care staff.
For anyone thinking about a career in care, there has never been a better time to join us.
Finally, do you have any advice for people applying to Ashridge?
My biggest piece of advice is to be yourself.
Don’t rush your answers — take a breath and give yourself time to process the question. Make sure you know where you’re going if you’re attending an interview, prepare a little beforehand, but try not to overthink things.
Using real-life examples from your experience can really help show who you are and what you bring to the role.
Care is about kindness, empathy and people. If you bring that, you already have the most important qualities.
At Ashridge, we believe caring is one of the most important roles anyone can do. By supporting, training and rewarding our carers properly, we aim to build a team where people feel valued, respected and proud of the work they do.
Because when carers feel supported, the people they care for feel the difference too.
If you’re compassionate, reliable and looking for a career where you can genuinely make a difference in someone’s life, we would love to hear from you.
Join a team that values the work you do, and the person you are.
