After being a hairdresser, catwalk model and dancer, Steph Langton turned her back on a glamorous life to become a carer.

Working in the beauty industry, initially as a qualified hairdresser, Steph was encouraged into catwalk modelling. She undertook a modelling course and spent three years showcasing outfits, mainly for PR companies and participating in bridal exhibitions.

Coming from a dance background, Steph says she enjoyed the thrill of performing, although she admits she was nervous walking down the runway.

After three years in the competitive world of fashion, she decided to pursue a career in the pastime she had started in childhood.

From the age of three, Steph loved dancing. With encouragement from her daughter’s dance instructor, she became a qualified dance teacher.

Steph loved working with youngsters. She had five children of her own, three sons and two daughters. It was the loss of her second daughter which inspired Steph to seek a caring career. Her baby, who was born with Downs Syndrome, died within days of her birth.

Spotting a leaflet for Shared Care, a Council-run scheme providing short-break care for families of children with learning difficulties or physical disabilities, prompted Steph to make contact.

The organisation began in Keighley 30 years ago when a group of parents got together to provide support to each other. It is now one of the foremost schemes in the country.

After undergoing routine checks, Steph began working for the organisation in 2004 on a voluntary basis, providing respite care to youngsters on a weekend. Last year, she took on the role full-time.

The youngsters she cares for have learning difficulties. Her involvement is to give their parents a break or the opportunity for them to spend time with their other children.

Spending time with the youngsters enables Steph to understand their needs. The young boys she now looks after love football and cars, and activities are geared around things they like and want to do. She also takes them on trips to the cinema.

Steph says her greatest job satisfaction is seeing the youngsters develop and being able to help their parents, with whom she has become good friends.

“It’s communicating with the family as well – always giving feedback on how the weekend has gone,” says Steph.

The most rewarding part of her profession, she says, is the positive reaction that she receives from youngsters.

“I love the feedback they give. When they say they’ve had a lovely time, that means I have done my job right.”

Steph says that qualities people should have to enter the caring profession are patience and love.

For more information about a caring career, contact Shared Care – which provides training – on (01274) 434596