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Learn from Kamila's inspiring personal journey and gain insights into exploring your own care options. Find the support and guidance you need to make informed decisions.

Setting: Registered residential care home with nursing offering specialist support for those aged 35 – 68 who might have a learning difficulty, learning disability, autism, mental health difficulties and a forensic history (have already offended or are at risk of offending). We employ male staff in the roles of personal assistant/support worker which is a service requirement as all our residents are male.

Overview of current role

My registered manager job role involves:

• day to day running of the home
• updating and creating care and health plans
• ensuring fire safety and maintaining and updating risk assessments
• oversee four team leaders who are registered nurses
• wider responsibility for a team of 18.

A large part of my role also includes partnership working and liaising with the wider multi-disciplinary team which includes GP’s, district nurses, speech and language therapists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses, advocacy services to name a few.

The nursing associate role sits alongside my registered manager role and supports my understanding and delivery of nursing care.

I’m also involved in transition work which includes completing assessments for those who are newly qualified for the service and determining their suitability.

How did I get here

I completed my education in speech and language therapy and moved to the UK in 2005. Despite converting my degree in the UK I was unable to obtain the IELTS at level 8 which is the highest level and is the standard for speech and language therapy. As a result, I began working in social care as a support worker and after one year a senior support worker post came up which I applied for and got which gave me more responsibility.

When my manager went on maternity leave, I found myself stepping into her role and I’ve been in management now for 17 years. I am really fortunate that I work for a good organisation and they offered me the opportunity to complete my nursing associate training. I couldn’t have afforded to do nurse training but find that the nursing associate role provides better career opportunities in social care and possibilities for progression.

During my training I completed placements in a hospital and this wasn’t for me. Turnover of patients is high, and I want to see them progress. Where I am now, I get to see this, and it makes me happy to see people move on to less specialist services. This gives me an enormous sense of satisfaction. I don’t think I could do any other job now. I love my job!

What brings me joy

Seeing people benefit from the support they’re given so that they’re able to progress, live healthily and enjoy life. I particularly like a challenge and enjoy working with individuals who may be more difficult to engage with. I like to see them thrive or even to see small differences in their lives because of the care they receive. I could never be a manager and not have any contact with the people we support. I need to know the people we’re supporting so I can help my staff and understand what it is they are experiencing.

Qualifications and education

• I qualified as a speech and language therapist in Poland.

• Nursing Associate September 2022.
• NVQ level 2 and 3 – Health and Social Care.
• Level 2 diploma in Teaching and Training.
• NVQ Level 5 – Management in Health and Social Care.

Training, knowledge and skills

• Specialist knowledge of working with acquired brain injury, profound and multiple learning and physical disabilities and people with mental health conditions.
• Trainer in Positive Behavioural Support and epilepsy.
• Oliver McGowan training.
• Medication management.

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