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Care Ambassdor profile: Wendy

Current job title
Registered Manager. I manage a service that provides residential, respite and day opportunities for adults who have a learning disability. This is part of Kent County Councils Adult Services Provider Unit.

How did you come to be working in Social Care?
I moved to Thanet 21 years ago and was childminder for a child with problem behaviour. I was offered a job in a small unit for adults with disabilities and was hooked from the start. I moved up through the ranks from care worker to become registered manager.

What is your working pattern?
I work full time. Usually Monday to Friday. Sometimes I work on a shift if we have staff shortages, this could be a 24 hour shift from 2.30pm one day to 3.00pm the next, this involves sleeping in at the home overnight.

How long have you been working in this role?
I started wrking for KCC in 1989 and have been a manager for 6 years.

Could you briefly describe a "typical" day?
Meeting with staff, service users, and parents/carers. Dealing with any staffing problems such a arranging cover for sickness. Meeting CSCI Standards (National Minimum Standards), managing the budget, the list is endless. I also have to look after Health and Safety of the building, attend meetings around the county, complete assessments with client's , attend and deliver staff training, manage the recruitment process when we have vacancies and supervise the staff team. There is no such thing as a typical day.

What is the best thing about your job?
The variety - no day is the same. I am always busy. I plan and manage my own days. I enjoy being a manager and working with my staff team.

My ambition for the future
I have come a long way in the last 18 years. At present I have no ambition to move on. I am happy as I am.

How would people get into this sort of work?
Being a Registered Manager has very specific responsibilities and requirements to meet the standards of the Commission for Social Care Inspection. You must hold the Registered Managers NVQ Award and have experience of working in the typr of service that you are going to manage. Most people start as Care Workers and move up through the ranks to become a registered manager and are supported by their companies to do this.

The Facts and Figures

Salary: The salary for a registered manager varies from company to company but within Kent County Council it would be between £29,000 to £34,500.
Hours: Contractually 37 hours per week but this varies
Annual leave: 30 days plus Bank Holidays.

Copyright Kent County Council 2008