“Good care starts with good leadership”

“Good leadership is the foundation of everything, and high-quality care starts with good leadership,” says Afolabi Erinle CMgr MCMI, a health and social care training manager, assessor and internal quality assurer (IQA), whose passion lies in developing future leaders in the care sector.

“In health and social care, strong leadership leads to good decision-making, which in turn inspires staff. When staff feel motivated, they perform their roles effectively, ultimately benefiting those who rely on care services.”

However, he warns that poor leadership results in poor decisions, which can have far-reaching consequences.

Afolabi’s journey into leadership within the care sector came about through what he describes as a “divine career shift”. Originally trained as an electrical engineer, he struggled to find employment in his field after moving to the UK.

• “I want to give back to the community and inspire the next generation”

He studied electrical engineering in Nigeria before pursuing an MBA and a degree in management information systems in the UK. However, his lack of UK experience became a barrier to securing a role in his original profession.

Formalising knowledge

“To be honest, I never enjoyed electrical engineering,” Afolabi admits. “I only pursued it to make my parents happy. So, in many ways, the career change felt like a divine intervention.”

With limited job opportunities, he took a role in the NHS as a support worker, requiring him to relocate from London to the north of England. But it was in this unexpected role that he found his true calling.

Starting as a mental health support worker in a secure forensic mental health NHS hospital, Afolabi steadily progressed, eventually becoming an instructor. It was during this time that he realised his passion for training and mentoring others. This led him to take on roles as an assessor, an IQA and, later, a healthcare improvement officer at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

Despite accumulating years of experience, Afolabi decided to formalise his knowledge by obtaining a health and social care qualification. He went on to earn a master’s degree in applied public health.

• “Wherever I go, I want to leave a footprint”

After completing his postgraduate degree, Afolabi founded his own training company, P&P Smart Training Ltd in February 2019. Two years later, in 2021, he joined the HICA Group as a regional training manager. While he still actively trains professionals, his focus has shifted from assessing individuals for their Level 2, 3 and 5 diplomas to training team leaders and managers within the care sector.