The care exchange from Skills for Care

As registered managers, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily running of the service and not be aware of the bigger strategic changes taking place. Jo-Anne Wilson, the registered manager of a Royal British Legion Nursing home joins us to talk about her work with the Integrated Care Board and the Social Care Nursing Advisory Council, being part of a documentary on dementia care and how she suppor...

We talk about compassionate leadership with Rosemary Pavoni who is a retired registered manager. She believes that “It doesn’t matter the colour of the cat as long as it catches the mouse” – in other words, it doesn’t matter why you practice compassionate leadership as long as it achieves its goal. Rosemary talks about her career and how she learnt that compassionate leadership is crucial in staff...

How do you become rated Outstanding in all five domains – not once but three times?    Hayley Taylor and Dan Gower-Smith from Avenues South East join the care exchange and talk about how they did just that. They share how they ensured that their values are embedded into everything they do throughout the organisation, the importance of culture and the work they do with families. They share the ‘smi...

Multi award winning registered manager Ben Miller from Castleford House joins the care exchange for an extended chat about making continuing improvements to his service, to his recruitment strategy and to his role as a leader. Ben shares how his thirst for learning has resulted in a complete transformation of recruitment, retention and culture within his service. He talks about how he has used pod...

Paul Tolley, CEO of New Directions Rugby, shares how much he loves data and the importance of using workforce data within your service. He talks about partnerships - partnerships with volunteers, your local communities and other registered managers and the added value this provides to your service. We also hear how important it is to be part of your local community, how peer partnerships can prepa...

Starting this series with a thought-provoking conversation is Professor Michael West OBE who discusses compassionate leadership.   He describes how ‘listening with fascination’ is so crucial for managers and explains how to create more effective compassionate teamwork. He also talks about how to support a stressed workforce and why it’s so important to practice self-compassion. Resources Does team...

We speak to Andrew Davis, Managing Director of Right at Home Bournemouth and Poole. Andrew reflects on how registered managers are often underestimated from those outside care, how he prioritises delegation and how perfection can be the enemy of good enough. Hear about the work that goes in to achieving an Outstanding CQC rating and how managers shouldn’t be afraid of blowing their own trumpet! An...

Kirsty Armstrong, registered manager of Kelly Park Ltd a home care organisation talks about her huge success in offering work placements for students and employing young people as a result. She believes that young people are the future of social care and registered managers have a responsibility to give young people a positive perception of the sector and the range of opportunities available. Kirs...

Zoe Richardson talks about her role as a nominated individual. She explains how she sees the role as a job and not a title and how important she feels the role is in terms of ensuring registered managers are supported by continually asking “what do you need me to do?” She stresses how much she values registered managers, and that organisational leadership is so important, because if “people think...

Jay Harper talks about his role as an area manager. He compares it to his previous role as a registered manager and admits that he is still a support worker at heart. Jay explains that ‘it’s not about me’ and proudly uses the word passionate in describing what he does to support people with learning disabilities. Jay stresses the importance of a person-centred approach, being in the moment to ‘be...

Ruth French the Operations Director for Stow Healthcare, an organisation that specialises in turning failed services around to become Outstanding talks about the importance of recognising that everyone is human and that we all make mistakes. She shares her tips on colour-coded improvement plans, time-saving dictation, and golden gems. She also discusses why it’s so important to stand up and have y...

In a specially extended podcast, we’re joined by Sanjay Dhrona who is the Managing Director of The Close, an award-winning care home in Oxfordshire. We find out the steps he took to change the CQC rating from Inadequate to Outstanding in five years. Sanjay talks about how he made changes to culture, management structures and his ‘win’ folder. Sanjay also discusses how to develop innovative practic...

Hear from Becky Coles who in 2020 became the youngest CQC registered manager of a newly built respite service. Becky shares her career journey, from work experience aged 15 through a range of roles via apprenticeships, to becoming a registered manager. She also talks to us about what it’s like to build a brand-new facility (hard hat included!), build up a team which feels like a family and develop...

Mark Topps was a registered manager for six years, and in this podcast he reflects on his learnings during that time including the importance of sharing, making the role what you want it to be and having a good work-life balance. Mark discusses the importance of standing up for what you believe and challenging things you don’t agree with. He also shares his top tips for using social media to netwo...

Martyn Dawes, registered manager and author, talks about how we all have a tendency to overthink things. He believes that for managers in stressful situations it’s important to stop, step back and create time to reset and wait for the answers to come. He also stresses the importance of making the right decisions, against making the easy decisions.  Resources  People performance management toolkit....

Kate Terroni, CQC Chief Inspector for Adult Social Care, talks about the sleepless nights she suffered before her first CQC inspection. She discusses how leadership is a privilege, how happy workers equal high-quality care and the importance of keeping well. Kate also discusses coproduction and it's importance.  Resources Registered manager networks Social care managers Facebook group  R...

Hosts Ali and Pia reflect on the amazing managers who have shared their experiences and tips throughout the series. The conversation includes common themes that have emerged, highlights some of the useful suggestion’s guests have made and discusses how they relate to the new CQC strategy. We’re extremely grateful to all the managers who have contributed to this first series of ‘The care exchange’...

Azhar Juri talks about being a mental health nurse and registered manager of a residential care home for people with enduring mental health issues.  Azhar shares their thoughts on developing a positive culture to support staff “to be the best they can be”, being honest with yourself and how WhatsApp is a lifesaver. We also talk about Azhar’s very personal journey and how Bollywood dancing changed...

Debbie Dry, registered manager of Windsor Lodge, a small care home for older people in Buckinghamshire talks about residents being at the heart of everything and how that drives her desire to constantly improve quality. She explains how she ensures that any training her staff do, is a learning opportunity for everyone and has an impact on the care delivered. Find Windsor Lodge Care Home on Faceboo...

Our guest Joseph Hughes is from City Care Partnership. He is the registered manager of two outstanding rated services that support people with learning disabilities. He explains that managers don't have to be the best at everything and shouldn't be afraid to ask for help. Joseph discusses how he wants his workforce to feel valued, comfortable, well trained and all with funded walking boots! Resour...

Joined by Karyn Ross who is the registered manager of the Shared Lives scheme in Coventry. Karyn’s service has received an outstanding CQC rating in her last inspection and she shares how she used her mantra ‘plan, invest and record’ to prepare. Karyn discusses promoting personal relationships, student placements  bringing new ideas and why her team are always open to learn new ways of working and...

Carly Rochester, manager of Lodge Group Care’s domiciliary home care service discusses her respect for home care workers, pandemic teamwork and how it’s so important to value your workforce.  Carly explains the importance of using the workforce's different skills and how she has learned to delegate, let go of some responsibilities and trust and empower members of her team.    Resources ‘An introdu...

Ronnie Lillywhite talks about being a manager in a supported living service. She shares her experience supporting a service to improve, why safety comes trumps every time and how she has remained focused on making improvements during the pandemic. Ronnie explains why she has never felt so connected to her peers and how she has learnt to act with balance.  Resources Recorded registered manager webi...

Marlene Kelly, Registered Manager at Auburn Mere Care Home in Watford, shares her insights on the importance of focusing on meaningful activities that promote purpose, engagement and connection. Reflecting on lessons learned during the pandemic, she explains how it helped her identify what matters most in delivering care and supporting people’s wellbeing. Marlene also highlights the importance of...

Sue Ann Nnamani, the registered manager of Priscilla Wakefield House in Haringey, London shares her approach to managing a large nursing home, including how she makes sure that values are embedded into the service, the importance of looking inwards and outwards and why it’s the simple things that matter.   Follow Sue Ann on LinkedIn !   Resources Registered manager webinars cover a wide range of t...