One to Watch – Eden Bailey, senior head of housing services at Hft

What’s your proudest work moment, or biggest achievement so far?

In my previous role, I was nominated for Housing Professional of the Year at an industry awards event because of my passion for mentoring people from under-represented groups to progress in their career and also through delivering results within the organisation I was working for at the time.

And what has been your hardest moment?

The hardest part is balancing bringing up two children with my desire to continually progress in my career. Being a working mother is certainly not easy, but I’m very lucky to have a supportive husband and family who help me when needed. 

I’m also very fortunate to work for an organisation like Hft, which has a flexible working policy in place that allows staff to work from home when they need to.

Who has been the most important person who has helped your career so far – and why?

I’ve been lucky to have had some fantastic managers and mentors, but I’m very grateful to my current manager, Teresa Parker, chief housing officer, who has been so supportive and encouraging since I started at Hft at the end of May this year. Her coaching and guidance have been invaluable.

If you could change one thing about the housing sector, what would it be?

COVID-19 has highlighted the underlying structural challenges of rising demand, unmet need and difficulties recruiting and retaining staff within adult social care.

There should be immediate action to meet the recommendation of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee. 

Hft is campaigning to encourage the government to plug the long-term funding gap in social care by allocating a higher proportion of the health and social care levy to the sector, otherwise providers will struggle to meet growing demand for care in the future.