Swaffham

Please detail any relevant education/training 

L5 Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care 

L3 Nvq Business Administration 

V1 and A1  

Year started working at Manorcourt Homecare 

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 Registered Manager for another provider in Norfolk. 

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

I feel a manager should be approachable, willing to listen to their staff and clients. To be willing to support in the development of their staff. There is no better feeling than watching someone succeed.  

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

I enjoy being able to make a difference, knowing that I have helped supported someone to resolve an issue is rewarding 

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

Being involved in the start up with the Norfolk Local Authority project EHSS for my previous provider. I managed the North team alongside my domiciliary care teams. This has given me a great deal of experience which I have been able to utilize into my current role. 

What has been your biggest career highlight to date? 

Managing two branches at the same time, whilst ensuring the safe tupe transfer of one to another provider. During this time making sure that the quality of the service provided did not slip, keeping clients and care workers up to date with information and providing information to local authorities was challenging, but rewarding. 

What qualities do you think make a good branch manager? 

Being calm and approachable. When someone comes to you and they are looking for help, make them feel like you are offering them support and not that you are willing to give this to them. Having a good sense of humor at all times and trying to see the best in everything is also very helpful! Never giving up and always looking forward is always good to boosting morale in the team! 

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, spending time at the beach and a good BBQ! 

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 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

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.

Year started working at Manorcourt Homecare

2020

Why did you decide to work at Manorcourt Homecare

I wanted a change of career.

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

They need to be caring, careful and diplomatic.

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

So far I have done limited duties but I enjoy the night sits.

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

My first night, the service user had diarrhoea and sickness all night. I instantly knew I could do the job after the first night.

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?

The service user I was looking after told me they would love it if I did 7 nights, I then knew I was doing okay.

Do you feel supported by your Senior network of people?

Yes, during the current covid 19 pandemic, I have been assisted by the branch manager during the lockdown.

D you receive information sheets on a regular basis, please list some information given recently.

Yes, safeguarding and PPB were my most recent sheets.

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

Relaxing with the family.

Year started working at Manorcourt Homecare

April 2020

Why did you decide to work at Manorcourt Homecare

I was very unhappy in my last job, Manorcourt was recommended to me by two people, who work for Manorcourt.

Best decision so far.

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

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

The word is written in “carer”, you have to care if you care that much, the job is so rewarding in many ways.

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

It has to be the mornings, waking the clients up and getting them ready for their day, the mornings can be extra special when you haven’t seen a service user in a while. You can catch up on what they’ve been doing since you last saw them and that’s my favourite part.

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

Coping with Covid-19 and still working. Throughout, having to have the Covid-19 test, trying to keep myself and our service users safe and follow guidelines.

What has been your biggest career highlight to date?

To be finally recognised as a carer before Covid-19, we were just carers to be appreciated for what we do, people have finally realised we are more than carers to some people. I’ve stayed safe so far throughout this pandemic.

Do you feel supported by your Senior network of people?

I’ve never been supported so much since I started with Manorcourt, I’ve had a few issues at the beginning when I started regarding service users. Jeni our manager was very supportive, very easy to talk to.

Is your Manager approachable?

Very approachable, very supportive as stated above. Very kind lady, I’ve never had so many gifts in such a short space of time of working with any company.

Do you receive information sheets on a regular basis?

Virtual cuppa for carers.

Safeguarding communication.

Covid-19 PPE Guidance.

How are you feeling questionnaire.

These were all received by email from Nicola.

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

Spending time with my family and friends, not much else we can do at the moment with the current situation.

I like watching films and playing board games too.

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

Everything at the moment, all the carers that I work with are lovely, the office staff are easily approachable and understanding. The staff in my last job were unapproachable and unkind.