Name: Gary
Job Role: Safeguarding Officer
Employer: Truro and Penwith College
Course: ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership & Management
Gary, the Safeguarding Officer at Truro and Penwith College, knows that leadership is not just about managing tasks, but about guiding people through complex and often sensitive situations. His role, overseeing safeguarding concerns for both staff and students, requires close collaboration with senior management, governors, and external agencies. But when he found himself leading a small team, he realised that his leadership skills needed to evolve.
While confident in his approach to leadership, Gary felt it was time to ensure he was supporting his team in the best way possible. “I was already in a leadership position, but I found myself wanting to be the best leader I could be for my team,” he said.
The ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management was suggested during his appraisal as part of his professional development plan, and Gary saw it as an opportunity to further refine his leadership skills.
“I didn’t want to let my team down,” Gary explained. “I decided to do the course to ensure I was leading in the right way and that I was supporting them as they deserved.”
Gary was no stranger to working under pressure, but coming back into an educational training environment presented its own challenges. While the course offered flexibility, finding uninterrupted study time in his reactive role was difficult. “The nature of my job means I have to respond quickly to incidents, so planning study time can be tricky,” he commented. “But Paula, our tutor, was incredibly supportive, ensuring I didn’t fall behind when I had to miss a session or two.”
The smaller class sizes gave Gary the opportunity to engage with people from various industries, and he appreciated hearing how others were applying the course to their own roles. “It was great to meet people from different backgrounds and industries,” he reflected. “It made me realise that we all face similar challenges, even if the context is different.”
For Gary, the real value of the ILM Level 3 course came from the validation of his existing knowledge and leadership style. “It was reassuring to know that my leadership approach was on the right track,” Gary noted. “It confirmed that the methods I was already using were effective, and that was really important for me.”
The course also helped Gary feel more confident in his decisions and how he supports his team. It gave him that extra assurance that he was doing things correctly, something he found particularly validating when managing a critical role like safeguarding.
While the course didn’t directly lead to career progression, it strengthened Gary’s capabilities in his current role. Gary explained, “The course wasn’t about moving up in the company; it was about doing my job better. It has given me the confidence to lead more effectively, knowing I have the skills to back up my decisions.”
Since completing the ILM Level 3, Gary feels more equipped to handle the challenges of his safeguarding role and lead his team with confidence. “The course made me feel more certain that I’m on the right path. I now know that I’m leading in the best way I can, and that’s invaluable,” he added,
Gary’s journey shows that leadership doesn’t always require drastic changes or new techniques; sometimes, it’s about validating what you already know and continuing to grow from that foundation. By focusing on his leadership journey and embracing the experiences of those around him, Gary has found new strength in his role, confident that his leadership approach will continue to thrive.
