Deputy Care Manager

Background

1998 – Introduction as a volunteer case worker for Victim Support

2000 – graduated from Middlesex University with an honours degree in Psychology.

2003 – Achieved NVQ 3 Promoting Independence

2005 – Completed Introductory course in Counselling at Birkbeck College

2007 - Currently undertaking Certificate in Counselling and Counselling skills at Birkbeck College.

July 2001 jointed East Living as a support worker at Hermit Road. March 2003 worked as a deputy care manager at Winsor Terrace. July 2006 Acting Manager of Bradymead. Feb 2007 joined Waltham Forest and supporting people and now I am a manager for Greg Close, Manor Road and Wood Street.

Role and responsibilities

To assist in the management of a high quality service and to provide day to day individualised care and support to tenants. I directly line manage three staff and support in the management of the remaining two.

Work collaboratively with Supporting People, Assertive outreach, North and South mental health teams and the Community Mental Health Team. Greg Close is a move on scheme where we provide support for tenants with mental health diagnosis to move on into their own accommodation by enhancing life skills and empowerment. Manor Road is more long term tenancies for tenants who need more support over a longer period of time then Greg Close. Wood Street is an outreach project where tenants receive a few hours of support a week.

 Myself and a support worker will meet with potential tenants and carry out a two step assessment to determine if the scheme can meet their needs. We will support new tenants with applying for benefits and support them achieve both short term and long term goals. These can include becoming self medicating, enrolling in college courses and back into employment. We support tenants through the whole process of Care Plan Approach meetings to actually moving into their new property.

We work with the multi-disciplinary team to help tenants manage and cope with mental health issues such as depression and coping with voices. Tenants will have monthly one to one meetings with staff to talk about any issues or just for a chat. I ensure the meetings are taking  place and that all the appropriate documentation is completed. I support staff in their support of tenants, this can include in-house coaching, mentoring and internal and external training.

I ensure the schemes run smoothly; budget setting and re-forecasting, maintenance and health and safety issues, staffing levels at each of the three schemes, rota design etc. I am also part of a management team who work together in the development of the scheme business plan and supporting people returns and strategic outcome pilot. I Will also be piloting the new support plan format across the Waltham Forest schemes and amending the design to suit the service.

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