Lorcan’s story of continuous learning and professional growth
Our Educational Assistance Programme enabled him to gain his qualification – and a deeper understanding of social care
Lorcan Gleeson is a fundamental member of the Integrated Care team at Odyssey Social Care and the founder and project lead for our Saoirse Adventure Programme.
Lorcan shared his story of personal determination, continuous education and development, highlighting the significant role played by Odyssey Social Care in his professional growth through our Educational Assistance Programme.
Journey as a mature student
Lorcan’s social care career began in 2012 and over a period of seven years he gained extensive experience working with children, young people and people with disabilities. He thoroughly enjoyed working with young people and wanted to gain a professional qualification in social care which would develop his career and deepen his understanding of different care models.
In 2019, he approached Odyssey about the Educational Assistance Programme. He was fully supported by us in embarking on a professional qualification in social care at Carlow College to take his career to the next level.
As a mature student, Lorcan really appreciated the value of the grant as it provided access to education to those who did not follow the traditional educational path.
Alongside his professional social care degree, Lorcan was also completing his qualification as a Certified Therapeutic Adventure Specialist (accredited by the Association for Experiential Education), and he was leading the setup, development and delivery of the Saoirse Adventure Programme at Odyssey.
Despite some personal challenges and busy periods with Saoirse, Lorcan remained committed to his education and completed his professional qualification in 2024.
Theoretical foundations for the Saoirse Adventure Programme
Throughout his studies, Lorcan found that much of the syllabus was very relatable to the work he was doing in social care and the Saoirse Adventure Programme. He was introduced to various theorists and their approaches to trauma, developmental psychology and attachment theory, including his favourite: Carl Rodgers, Mary Ainsworth and John Bowlby.
These theories helped him understand the underlying principles of social care practice and became a cornerstone in the development of the Saoirse Adventure Programme and his work in crisis intervention with children and young people.
The importance of a support system
Lorcan highlights the importance of a support system when you are undertaking education and development. One of the key figures in Lorcan’s journey was Odyssey CEO Stacey McGrath and he shares how her support was instrumental in helping him navigate the complexities of balancing work, education, and personal life.
“From the very beginning, Stacey provided full support and backing and she understood my vision for the Saoirse Adventure Programme and how important the educational backing was for its success.”
What’s next for Lorcan?
Lorcan’s story is one of continuous learning and education – he has his professional social care degree and his CTAS certification, but he is not finished yet!
His next goal is to qualify as a Clinical Adventure Therapist, and Odyssey continues to support him by allowing space for his clinical supervision, a prerequisite for the certification.
“This ongoing support is a testament to Odyssey’s commitment to growth and development – I wouldn’t be able to get my clinical supervision hours without Odyssey.”
As Lorcan reflects on his journey, he is grateful for the opportunities and support he has received. His story is a brilliant example of how the Educational Assistance Programme grant can transform lives, enabling employees to achieve their goals and contribute meaningfully to the organisation.
Lorcan’s experience is a reminder that with the right support, anything is possible.
- Like to learn more? To explore how Odyssey Social Care can support your professional growth through our Educational Assistance Programme, contact hr@odysseysocialcare.com