Lowestoft

Please detail any relevant education/training

NVQ Level 3 and currently working towards Level 5

Year started working at Healthcare Homes

I joined in 2001 when it was Anglia Homecare.

What role did you carry out before you came to Healthcare Homes

I started off as a care worker for Anglia Homecare then became a coordinator before becoming a Deputy Manager before Care Manager.

What do you think a person needs to do to be good in your role?

Approachable, patient, understanding, compassionate, able to cope with situations/conflicts when under pressure, able to deal with stress and committed to providing care to the highest standard.

What’s your favourite part of your working day and why?

Knowing that I can go home and all service users are safe.

What’s been your biggest professional challenge in your current role, or in your career to date?

Taking over the running of Norfolk and working to grow the business

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?

Becoming Care Manager for both Norfolk and Suffolk.

What qualities do you think make a good home manager?

To be able to listen and understand issues that carers/staff and service users have and to act accordingly. To remain professional at all times.

What do you enjoy/are you looking forward to the most about working at this care home?

Spending quality time with the family.

Each day is a different challenge. As a team we all work well together and help each other out, over the years I feel that we have become a family.

Please detail any relevant education/training

NVQ level 3 in Business Administration, NVQ level 2 in Team Leading

Year started working at Manorcourt Homecare

2005

Why did you decide to work at Manorcourt Homecare?

I started as an apprentice doing an NVQ in Business Administration through YMCA.  When I competed this I was then taken on as an employee

What role did you carry out before you came to Manorcourt Homecare?

This has been my first job since leaving high school in 2003.

What do you think a person needs to do to be good in your role?

You need to have good concentration.  Be able to work under pressure, whether that be on your own or working with others.  Being able to use your own initiative and be well organised is a must.

What’s your favourite part of your working day and why?

I enjoy it when I am at my busiest as I feel more motivated to get the job done.  I enjoy payroll as it can be challenging at times, which I thrive on.

What’s been your biggest professional challenge in your current role, or in your career to date?

I have come across many different challenges in my role over the years, none that really stand out more than the other.  I have learnt a lot about myself through the challenges I have faced and feel they have made me stronger in my job.

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?

I wouldn’t say I have a big career highlight.  Being made senior administrator was something I am still very proud of.  In 2017 I was nominated for a rising star award which made me feel very appreciated.

What qualities do you think make a good home manager?

A manager needs to be able to communicate well to employees.  Have good leadership and be able to manage discipline and deal with conflict.  Be there when needed in times good and bad.

What are your interests outside of work/how do you unwind?

I enjoy spending quality time with my family.

What do you enjoy/are you looking forward to the most about working at this care home?

I feel our branch has a great team.  We pull together when times are tough.  Taking on extra work if we see our colleagues struggling.  We all get on really well and have a good laugh together.

Please detail any relevant education/training

NVQ Level 3 Business and Administration

Year started working at Healthcare Homes

2016

What role did you carry out before you came to Healthcare Homes

Compliance Officer

What do you think a person needs to do to be good in your role?

Organised, friendly and able to meet deadlines

What’s your favourite part of your working day and why?

Beginning of the working day, start of a new day with the challenges ahead

What’s been your biggest professional challenge in your current role, or in your career to date?

Medex training percentage was low when I started, so ensuring carers and office staff completed training

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?

Being in the position I am now

What qualities do you think make a good home manager?

Being approachable, a good listener and a support

What do you enjoy/are you looking forward to the most about working at this care home?

Walking my dog and TV

Everyone makes you feel welcome – everyone is friendly and are team players

Please detail any relevant education/training

NVQ 2 and 3

Year started working at Manorcourt Homecare

2004

Why did you decide to work at Manorcourt Homecare

I wanted to do a job that would help and benefit others

What role did you carry out before you came to Manorcourt Homecare

Customer services and an undertaker

What do you think a person needs to do to be good in your role?

Being a good listener, proactive and organised

What’s your favourite part of your working day and why?

I enjoy my entire working day.  I love the people I work with and the service users I can help.

What’s been your biggest professional challenge in your current role, or in your career to date?

Moving in to the care sector and becoming a medication officer. There was so much to learn and I never thought I would be capable of such a challenging role

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?

Working up to the level I am at

What qualities do you think make a good branch manager?

Understanding. Being able to achieve a hard working and effective work team. Be open and honest. Good communication. Be willing to praise as well as discipline

What are your interests outside of work/how do you unwind?

I enjoy spending time with my three daughters and six grandchildren. I also enjoy holidaying abroad

What do you enjoy/are you looking forward to the most about working at this branch?

I look forward to watching the business grow knowing that I am part of the team

Please detail any relevant education/training

CMI Level 7 in strategic management and leadership, NVQ Level 4 and RMA

Year started working at Manorcourt Homecare

2012

What role did you carry out before you came to Manorcourt Homecare

Registered Manager for Norfolk County Council

What do you think a person needs to do to be good in your role?

I believe to be a good manager you need to be a good listener, be available to the staff for support and guidance and operate an open door policy. Seek new opportunities and always strive for the best for the branch and business

What’s your favourite part of your working day and why?

No time is the same day to day, so you never know what to expect. I love the element of surprise and challenge

What’s been your biggest professional challenge in your current role, or in your career to date?

In 2012 taking over a very close knit branch where staff had always worked under the same manager. It was tough gaining their trust.

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?

Promotion to Area Manager

What qualities do you think make a good branch manager?

Supportive, approachable, organised and focused

What are your interests outside of work/how do you unwind?

Spending time with my family

What do you enjoy/are you looking forward to the most about working at this branch?

I love my job and I look forward to seeing what the day brings, what new opportunities can be secured. I am very fortunate to have a brilliant team and look forward to seeing them on a daily basis

Please detail any relevant education/training

NVQ 3

Year started working at Manorcourt Homecare

2010

Why did you decide to work at Manorcourt Homecare

I really wanted to do care work and Manorcourt Homecare came across as very professional and a good company to work for.

What role did you carry out before you came to Manorcourt Homecare

A variety of positions; working for Ford, at a printers, managing a pub/restaurant and owning my own café.

What do you think a person needs to do to be good in your role?

Be genuinely caring, organised, empathetic and sympathetic.

What’s your favourite part of your working day and why?

Meeting new service users and their families

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?

Getting promoted to Senior Team Leader

What qualities do you think make a good branch manager?

Someone who listens. Someone you respect.

What are your interests outside of work/how do you unwind?

I enjoy socialising, good food and reading.

What do you enjoy/are you looking forward to the most about working at this branch?

I work with a good team of people, we all get on very well