Laura's promoted to a Senior Care Assistant | Meet the team
Meet the team
We employ around 170 staff across our care homes, housing schemes and support office. With so many diverse roles, we would like to introduce you to some of our team. Just click on the roles below to find out more.
Care Assistant
Care Home Administrator
I support the Care Home Manager with all the administration at the home. This includes for example completing forms for new residents and staff, collating the residents’ activity calendar, paying invoices, helping to manage the budget, completing and submitting payroll and liaising with support services in Seaford.
I’m the first point of contact for everyone who walks through the door so I welcome friends and families of residents, doctors, nurses, tradesmen and I take care of all the telephone calls. Some of my colleagues say “I’m the glue that holds the home together!”
This is a very busy role and I have the freedom to complete my work, be with the residents and interact with staff. We’re a good team here.
Jessica at Oakwood Court care home, Haywards Heath.
Maintenance
I take care of the day to day maintenance of the building making sure all the checks have been done, including fire and gas safety and electrical testing. My role also includes tasks such as unblocking shower wells, checking light bulbs and cleaning the bins. There is generally a lot of cleaning involved and ensuring everything is in working order. I also decorate rooms when they become vacant.
I enjoy spending time talking to residents when I’m working in their rooms and supporting the care team. I may have my week planned out but sometimes my work can be very reactive, you never really know what you’re going to walk into in the morning, this is why I love working here.
I have enjoy the opportunity to do activities with residents such as gardening, indoor play and dancing. Outside of work, DIY is my main hobby.
Allan Manalo at Oakwood Court care home, Haywards Heath.
Scheme Manager
I love working with older people and hearing their life’s experiences. I enjoy enriching their golden years - making them easier and more pleasurable.
I've worked in a variety of care settings for many years. Care in the Community with profoundly physically disabled people and some with brain acquired injuries, before I started at Sussex Housing & Care.
Since working here I have been a manager at Saxonwood Care Home and then moved to become a Scheme Manager.
I enjoy providing a high standard of service to residents."
Fiona, Scheme Manager for Ashleigh Glegg House and Falfield in Seaford.
Laura's promoted to a Senior Care Assistant
Laura has been promoted to a Senior Care Assistant at Oakwood Court care home in Haywards Heath. She shares what it's like to take on more responsibility...
"I started as a care assistant in April 2019, and worked in care for 19 months before this. I was attracted to working for Sussex Housing & Care because I wanted to spend quality time with residents, making a difference to their day, rather than only attending to their care needs. I chatted to colleagues about their experience working at Oakwood Court and had heard some great things.
I was a care assistant here for four years, including throughout the covid pandemic. These challenging times brought the team closer, we all relied on each other and built a good working relationship.
I was encouraged by fellow seniors here and the management, to consider developing my career and becoming a senior. At first I was daunted by the idea, it seemed like a lot of responsibility and I wasn’t sure if it was for me.
A year ago I started training as a senior carer, this involved shadowing other seniors, they taught me everything. I found this a good way to learn because it was practical and hands on. If I got stuck, they were there to help.
I enjoy that I get to interact with residents and now that I administer their medication, I get more opportunities to chat one to one and check in with how they are feeling. In my senior role I have more interaction with families which is interesting. I hear stories about our residents lives and I can update them with any latest news.
Being a team leader was easier than I thought, we’re such a strong team and everyone is really friendly. Communication and working together is important, I always let the team know I’m around and can help if they need support.
Becoming a senior carer has been a good experience for me. As part of this role I’ve studied NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care, which I’ve enjoyed studying and makes me realise how much knowledge I’ve gained in my role.
Overall, becoming a senior has been a great opportunity, I’ve personally had to commit time to study, but I find my job rewarding and I’m motivated to make a real difference to our residents and put them at the heart of everything I do."