Background
My employment with Focus Care commenced During October 2023. I have over 20 years of experience working in the health care sector, working with Adults with Dementia, Mental health, Learning disabilities, Autism and Brain injury. I started my career as a Health care assistant working in residential and nursing homes, then moved to mental health rehabilitation as a support worker. I joined the Occupational therapy department whilst working in a mental health rehabilitation hospital for adult males, and worked as an OTA, I also worked for the same company as a Therapy Co-ordinator in a female rehabilitation hospital with Learning disabilities, Mental health and Autism. From there I moved on to work as a deputy manager in a residential home in the popular Derbyshire town Matlock. I have also worked as a welfare officer and a Manager for supported living companies across Derbyshire and Wolverhampton, housing the homeless, ex-offenders, drug and alcohol addicts and those escaping domestic violence.
Experience
Before I Joined Focus care I was managing sheltered accommodation for adults over the age of 50, with all different needs and disabilities.
I have completed my NVQ Level 4 in Health and Social care management and have completed many other courses related to Social care throughout my working environments.
The Focus Care management team are very supportive and are encouraging me to undertake the training I need to achieve my career aspiration.
Oak Tree is a vibrant community of 10 stylish one-bedroom flats! Enjoy modern living with top-notch appliances, lush gardens, and ample parking. Feel secure with round-the-clock support and cutting-edge security. Dive into the social scene in our cozy lounge or fun-filled games room. At Oak Tree, every day brings new adventures and lasting friendships!
Experience
Over 20 years working with in the care sector supporting individuals with behaviours of concern, Autism, Complex needs, and Learning Disabilities.
Qualification
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young Peoples services. Diploma in in Applied Behaviour Analysis. Prader Willi Training.
Interest
Ipswich Town Supporter
Favourite quote
“Always remember, you are stronger than you think, Braver than you believe, More beautiful than you can imagine, loved more than you know. I’ve got you"
Welcome to Stour House
The Home to Our Shining Light
At Stour House, we provide a nurturing environment for a young lady with complex and individual needs. We are committed to exemplifying equality and diversity, while respecting and celebrating cultural and religious beliefs. Our dedicated staff team is specially trained to support this unique young lady, ensuring each day is filled with happiness, joy, learning, and growth.
Why Choose Stour House?
Welcome to Gipping House
A Home of Independence and Joy
At Gipping House, we provide a nurturing and supportive environment for four wonderful ladies with complex needs. Each lady enjoys the comfort and privacy of their own flat, while receiving personalised support from our dedicated staff to develop independence and life skills.
Why Choose Gipping House?
At Gipping House, we believe in fostering a sense of responsibility and independence while creating a warm, family-like atmosphere.
Welcome to Orwell House
Home to Two Young Men Embracing the Future and Overcoming Challenges
Orwell House is a unique residence designed to foster independence and personal growth for two young men with learning disabilities and complex needs. Our home is divided into two individual flats, providing each resident with their own space while also offering a shared sensory room and garden for continued education and social interaction. Orwell is our newest home in Suffolk, opening in November 2023 with our second young man moving in July 2024 following full and in depth transitions where our staff team worked with them at their current homes along side their staff teams to learn the best ways of support.
Why Choose Orwell House?
Welcome to Oulton House
A Home to a Country Gentleman
At Oulton House, we provide dedicated support for a gentleman with complex needs, including epilepsy. Our staff receive specialist training led by our Clinical Lead, Sarah Jones RNLD, and are well-equipped to understand and manage complex and behaviours of concern. We recognise the importance of memories, ensuring his home and lifestyle reflect these
Why Choose Oulton House?
Welcome to Deben House
The Home of an Inquisitive Young Man
At Deben House, we proudly support a remarkable young man on his quest to find answers to every question! Our dedicated staff are highly trained to meet the complex needs of autism, learning disabilities, and challenging behaviours. Some of our team members have even received awards for their exceptional care and commitment to this amazing individual.
Why Choose Deben House?
Welcome to Minsmere House
A Home of Colour and Joy
At Minsmere House, we believe in creating a vibrant and joyful environment. Our home is dedicated to the care of an engaging and inquisitive young man with complex needs, including epilepsy. Here, every day is an adventure filled with learning and exploration, thanks to our specially chosen staff team.
Why Choose Minsmere House?
Welcome to Waveney House
The home of a free spirit with a love of music
At Waveney House, we provide a nurturing and supportive environment for a young man with complex needs and behaviours of concern. Our dedicated staff work closely with his family, who possess invaluable knowledge, and a comprehensive team of professionals, including the LD nursing team, SALT, Sensory specialists, GP, and Psychiatrist. Our team is carefully selected not only for their expertise but also for their empathy and understanding that all behaviours are a form of communication. Staff have also had outside training to help the understanding of autism and to see it through the eyes of our young man.
Why Choose Waveney House?
My name is Nicolas Mateo, and I have been a part of Focus Care Supported Living for the past six years. My career here began as a support worker, progressed to team leader, and since June of last year, I have served as an Area Manager. Prior to relocating to England, I pursued my studies in Hospital Management and Public Health in America.
Role: In my current role, I am responsible for fostering person-centred environments that cater to the unique needs of our service users. I ensure that each home within my area receives the necessary support to flourish daily. Recently, I have embarked on an exciting journey of sharing my expertise with colleagues through training sessions. These sessions cover a range of topics including moving and handling, first aid, and soon, NAPPI and PBS.
Interests: Outside of work, I have a keen interest in tennis and enjoy continually expanding my knowledge on healthcare topics. I also love going on holidays. One of my favourite quotes, which guides my approach to both work and life, is by Benjamin Franklin: "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."
Sapphire Residences is composed of two blocks. One block contains 2 flats (the rest of this building is shared with Eden). The other block has 6 flats. Sapphire Residences is a supported living service dedicated to supporting 6 service users (up to 8) adults with autism and learning disabilities, who may also display challenging behaviors.
The service prides itself on its personalized care approach, delivered by a dedicated team of thirty trained and caring staff members and five Team Leaders. The team works collaboratively to ensure the highest quality of life and independence for the service users, addressing their physical and emotional needs with compassion and expertise.
Kingfisher Nest is a supported living facility for a young man with learning disabilities and complex behavioural needs. The facility is staffed by a team of eight individuals who are trained to address the specific challenges and requirements of their resident. The team at Kingfisher Nest is focused on providing a stable and supportive environment, promoting the resident’s development and well-being through personalised care and structured support programs.
Chestnut Lodge offers specialised support for two gentlemen with complex needs and varied personal histories. The facility is staffed by a dedicated team of eight individuals who are committed to providing comprehensive and person-centred care. The staff at Chestnut Lodge work daily to create a safe and supportive environment, focusing on the unique needs of each resident and fostering their well-being through individualised care plans and continuous support.
Elm House is a versatile supported living facility that provides support for two young men and an older individual, each with unique and diverse medical diagnoses. With a robust team of fifteen dedicated staff members, Elm House offers comprehensive and tailored care plans that meet the specific needs of each resident.
Sunflower Cottage is a supported living facility dedicated to supporting two gentlemen who experience mobility impairments along with a variety of complex medical diagnoses. The facility prides itself on its personalised care approach, delivered by a dedicated team of eight highly trained staff members. The team works collaboratively to ensure the highest quality of life and independence for the residents, addressing both their physical and emotional needs with compassion and expertise.
About Me: I am one of the lucky people that can say that they love their job. I started my journey in the care industry 19 years ago at a point when I would never have believed this was my destiny and very soon after I started this journey, I realised that there was nothing else that I would ever enjoy doing. Working my way up in this career proved to me that so many years ago I had made the right decision. Knowing that my work makes a difference in people’s lives, is an immense achievement that cannot be replaced by anything else. I love reading to the extreme that I could read one book every day-best live is in the books.
I enjoy traveling, seeing new places, getting to enjoy new cultures and meeting new people. Spending time with my family is MY quality time and it is one of the most important aspect of some one live, from my point of view.
Responsibilities: As part of my responsibilities, I ensure that the service users and the staff team working with me are supported, listened to, and guided where needed. I ensure their safety and help them achieve goals such as leading a fulfilled life (for service users) and progressing in their knowledge and careers (for staff members). Additionally, part of my responsibilities includes building and maintaining relationships with outside professionals, families, and service users. I promote and maintain the core values of the company and strive to expand my knowledge in regard to my duties and position.
Favourite Quote: "Everything happens for a reason! Even though at times, we might not be able to see that reason, in time we come to realise it"
A spacious three-bedroom detached bungalow, housing one female service user with a personality disorder. Located in a tranquil area, it offers easy access to local shops, bus routes, and travel links, with round-the-clock support available.
A vibrant four-bedroom terraced house, home to two young men with complex learning disabilities and autism. It benefits from a convenient location near local amenities and bus routes, with 24/7 support on hand.
This spacious detached bungalow in a friendly residential area is home to male service users who benefit from round-the-clock support. It boasts excellent proximity to local amenities and transport links.
To coordinate and manage a team of staff at the service and to ensure the provision of care and support services for people with mental illness, learning disabilities, autism and/or behaviours that may challenge; to maximise the recovery and skills potential of individuals living at the home; to achieve the highest possible standards of care and support in a professional manner through competent management and administration of the home
Experience: 30 years of working in a variety of roles in health and social care. I worked my way up from support worker to other roles such as team leader, deputy manager and then registered manager with the CQC (Care Quality Commission) in a residential service for 22 service users with learning disabilities. and a quality and compliance manager. I have now been an area manger at Focus Care supported living for the last 7 years
Qualifications: Makaton tutor, NVQ level 3, level 5 in leadership and Management. Currently studying for level 7 in health and social care leadership.
Interests: Travelling, spending quality time with family and friends and I am a season ticket holder at Brighton and Hove Albion football club.
Favourite Quote: “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think”.
This property is a shared supported living facility for four people. The facility is a five minute walk to the nearest town centre and a fifteen minute walk to beach. There is a railway station close by and a bus stop outside. The facility has a driveway and a rear garden.
This facility consists of five terraced two-bedroom houses. Each house is home to one service user in receipt of twenty four hour support. There is a communal front garden. During the summer the tenants enjoy Barbeques together. The facility is opposite a park and is a ten minute walk to the town centre. There is also a supermarket close by. The facility is a twenty minute walk to the beach. There is a railway station close by and the facility is on a bus route.
I have over 25 years' of experience in health and social care, working with a diverse range of client groups in leadership roles. I have supported children in care, young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and adults with ill mental health, who are being treated in hospital, I have worked with Adults with Learning disabilities and complex needs. I was part of the transforming care program, where worked at Fulbourn Hospital and supported adults who had been institutionalised transition into the community. I have excellent communication skills, which I use with the people we support, with my support team, and with wider professionals and families. My main focus is to support people to achieve and reach their full potential. I am solution focused and can lead the team to think outside the box. I am dedicated to my role and ensuring that the staff are supported to deliver the highest standard of person-centered support and ensure service users feel safe and secure in their homes and the community in which they live. This is achieved through fostering community links. Staff training, supervision, team meetings, mentoring and guidance from the Senior Management Team Management Leaders and I. I believe that every achievement, no matter how small needs to be recognised and celebrated.
Qualifications: City and Guilds, Level 3 Diploma for the children and young people’s workforce: Social Care Pathway
City and Guilds, Level 2 Employment and rights in health, social care / Children and Young People’s settings
City and Guilds English and Mathematics function skills level 2
NCFE - Mental Health awareness - Level 2
NCFE - Understanding the safe handling of medicines level 2
Currently studying - Care – STD – Leadership in Adult Care Level 5
Interests: I'm an avid reader and have been an active member of a local book club for some time now. I love music and going to concerts. Now that I have a puppy, walking in the countryside is my new found passion. I also like days out locally with family and friends, they are always fun and where time permits, further afield, Cornwall is one of my favourite places to holiday.
Favourtie Quote: ‘but if you never try you’ll never know, Just what you are worth.’ - Cold Play
A bustling HMO block featuring 9 self-contained flats, each thoughtfully equipped with separate bathrooms, kitchens, and lounges. Home to 9 service users with diverse needs, including learning disabilities, personality disorders, and mental health issues. The property offers round-the-clock support and easy access to public transportation.
This detached house, home to a female service user, combines tranquility with convenience. It offers 24/7 supported living in a quiet area, yet remains close to local amenities.
