Swaffham

Please detail any relevant education/training

Level 2 & 3 Nvq Care.

L3 Nvq Business admin.

L2 Nvq Customer Service.

L5 Leadership and Management.

Year started working at Manorcourt Homecare

I started working at Manorcourt in March 2018.

Why did you decide to work at Manorcourt Homecare

I worked for Manorcourt previously and the knowledge of the company’s quality appealed to me.

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

I was a Manager for another provider.

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

I should be approachable and willing to listen, to aid development of staff where needed. I should have knowledge of my service users and their needs. I should have knowledge of my current market and business needs as this will enable growth for my branch.

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

I enjoy resolving an issue with either staff or service users. Knowing that this and the feedback they will give you can improve and build on the service they are receiving.

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

I have previously managed two branches alongside each other to ensure a safe service remained in both. Taking one of those branches through a safe tupe and not allowing quality to slip within either branch through that period.

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?

Achieving my first registration as manager was a career highlight.

What qualities do you think make a good branch manager?

I am approachable, and my training background enables me to motivate and support staff growth and development. I am able to use diverse skills to assess, review and implement care packages, this supports service users to have person centered care plans which can be reviewed regularly to meet their needs.

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

I enjoy spending time with my husband and children. I enjoy spending time away in our caravan and watching films.

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

I enjoy supporting staff to build on quality and to develop their skills. I enjoy supporting service users to receive care that makes a difference to their daily lives.

Please detail any relevant education/training

NVQ3

Year started working at Healthcare Homes

2004

Why did you decide to work at Healthcare Home

Recently moved to Norfolk and wanted to stay in the care industry

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

Worked as a carer in Surrey

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

A person needs to have a caring attitude and be able to listen to and communicate well with others

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

My favourite part of my working day is when l have finished a round and know l have helped people to have a better quality of life

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

My biggest challenge was when l was a coordinator and trying to deliver the best possible care to people

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?

When l appeared on a news programme with one of my service users and we were seen by most of East Anglia

What qualities do you think make a good home manager?

A good branch manager needs to be approachable and be able to back you up if needed

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

I like to read when l have time and like gardening when l can

I like working with my colleagues and the fact we are all there for each other

Please detail any relevant education/training

NVQ Level 5

Year started working at Healthcare Homes

2011

Why did you decide to work at Healthcare Home

I decided to work at Manorcourt Homecare as I desired a career change from what I was doing.  I never thought I would enjoy it as much as I have and have worked towards where I want to be.

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

I worked as a retail assistant

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

I think they need to be patient, be committed and want to grow the business

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?

My biggest career highlight has been getting nominated for the Star Awards.  Although I didn’t get to attend the event, it was nice to be recognised.

What qualities do you think make a good home manager?

Be patient, listen to people and see things from their point of view.  Be caring and put others before them.  Don’t expect anyone to do anything you wouldn’t.

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

I like to spend time with my daughter and take her for days out.

I look forward to continually grow this area and recruit new staff.

Please detail any relevant education/training

NVQ 2 and 3 in Health & Social Care

Year started working at Healthcare Homes

2017

Why did you decide to work at Healthcare Home

I had worked for Manorcourt Homecare 8 years ago.  In talking with Operations Director Janice King, I decided to come back.

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

Senior Carer

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

To be person centred, caring and understanding

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

All of my working day is my favourite

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

To be using a computer as I am now as I had never even turned one on.  Completing care plans which I love doing.  Every day can be a challenge.

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?

Passing my NVQ 3 and now starting my Team Leader level 3 and management course

What qualities do you think make a good home manager?

To be professional at all times and understanding.  We have an amazing manager.

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

Housework and cooking

I look forward to going to work every day and I love a challenge; I try to let nothing beat me.  I enjoy working as a team with the manager, admin, carers and service users.

Please detail any relevant education/training

NVQ 3

Year started working at Healthcare Homes

2009

Why did you decide to work at Healthcare Home?

Moved to Norfolk and wanted a change in career

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

Warranty officer

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

Compassion, empathy, patience, a good listener and be discreet

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

Visiting service users and chatting with them.  As a meds officer I can take the every day worry of ordering/collection of medication off our service users and families worry lists

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?

Completing my NVQ3 and being promoted

What qualities do you think make a good home manager?

Compassion, experience, to listen to the people on the ground.  Firmness, loyalty, a good knowledge of what we do and good people skills.

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

I like to read, spend quality time with my family, gardening and history.

Seeing the branch grow

Please detail any relevant education/training

NVQ 2 AND 3

All internal training relevant to do the care.

Hotel Management Training in Switzerland and Amsterdam

Year started working at Healthcare Homes

2004

Why did you decide to work at Healthcare Home?

Manorcourt Homecare is an excellent organisation.

Worked for Flag Ship previously and was offered a job with Manorcourt Homecare.

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

Hotel Management – Switzerland and Amsterdam

Bank Manager – London

Care Advisor for Nationwide Building Society – Swaffham (Part Time)

Flag Ship Care Home in Swaffham. (Part Time).

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

Caring and considerate

Hardworking, efficient, organisation skills

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

Visiting the private clients to make sure that all is working well.

Helping the company build the business.

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

Taking on the role of the My Way Private Care adviser.

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?

Working my way up the ladder in the banking world to the end position of management.

What qualities do you think make a good home manager?

I feel a good branch manager should have the following qualities;

Dependability, a positive attitude, have problem solving skills, good communication, adaptability and respect for the team.

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

Spending time away in my caravan with my husband and my dogs.

Visiting family and staying in different hotels for weekends

Gardening.

Please detail any relevant education/training

NVQ2/3

Year started working at Healthcare Homes

2001

Why did you decide to work at Healthcare Home?

I moved to Norfolk and liked what I saw.

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

I have always worked in the care sector.

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

Caring, understanding and willing to listen.

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

All of it!

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

Working on the laptops.

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?

I enjoy it all.

What qualities do you think make a good home manager?

Having time to speak to you and showing understanding and caring.

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

Walking my dog and gardening.

Working with my colleagues and the banter between us all.

Please detail any relevant education/training

I am in the process of completing my L2 Diploma.

Year started working at Healthcare Homes

I started work for Manorcourt Homecare in 2017.

Why did you decide to work at Healthcare Home?

I worked for Manorcourt Homecare when I was 18 and really enjoyed the job role. When I returned from travelling in Australia it was an easy decision for me to return.

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

I have worked with Manorcourt Homecare previously. I have also worked with people with learning disabilities.

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

A person needs to be strong-minded to enable them to run a team. They need to show willing to go out caring to be part of their team. To have good telephone skills and able to deal with being under pressure.

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

I like it best when the rotas are completed for the following week and all the work is covered.

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

Coming into the job role as a co-ordinator for an area I was unaware of. I had to learn about a whole area of service users I did not know. I am also undertaking my diploma whilst taking on a very different job role to what I’ve ever been used to. This has been challenging at times.

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?

Gaining my promotion to co-ordinator at my age has been my best achievement to date.

What qualities do you think make a good home manager?

Someone who listens well, supports and guides their staff. Someone who is there to deal with any issues and someone who you can feel like you can talk to and will keep the confidentiality between the two of you.

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

I like to go shopping.  I also like to travel and have something booked for upcoming months to look forward to.

Having the opportunity to progress in my career with the help, support and guidance from my manager and colleagues.

Please detail any relevant education/training

NVQ 2 and 3 in Adult Social Care.

Year started working at Healthcare Homes

Started in 2012, left for 6 months in October 2015 and returned February 2016.

Why did you decide to work at Healthcare Home?

I had a relative who worked for Manorcourt Homecare who recommended the company to me.

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

I was a senior carer in a care home.

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

I believe a person should have good people skills and be able to react positively with people.  Be interactive and have empathy.

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

Going in to a client’s home and knowing that they are grateful of your company and everything you do for them, no matter how small.

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

Learning how to do the care plans and becoming the medication officer.

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?

When Manorcourt Homecare allowed me to return after I left.

What qualities do you think make a good home manager?

Being a good listener.

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

I like to go to the local football club and speedway.  I also enjoy going to my local pub on my weekend off with my partner.

The people I work with, they are very supportive and will help each other as much as they can.