Christelle Kirby

I am an experienced Team Leader in a specialist dementia care home, with extensive knowledge in supporting residents with complex needs while leading care teams to deliver high-quality, person-centred care. I manage, support and mentor staff, maintaining safeguarding, following the policies and procedures in place and ensure our residents are treated with dignity, compassion and respect in all aspects of their life.

Regular reviews through diverse assessments (Cornell scale, Abbey pain, mobility, nutrition, hydration, personal care, distressed care plan and many more). Staff performance and developed improvement plans while maintaining excellent relationships by cultivating a supportive, positive and helpful guidance through observing, listening and open communication.

I link with all healthcare professionals needed for our residents, send queries and referrals as well as following up any outcomes while including the family (if it's their wishes), LPA, NOK through regular updates.

I started as a senior carer and worked my way up to become the night care manager in a 66 beds residential home. Responding to critical incidents, ill health, falls, near misses... with professionalism, coordinating swift and effective resolutions in line with policies and procedures. Manage safeguarding investigations with sensitivity adhering strictly to the legal framework and promote the welfare of all service users and staff. Overseeing any MDT meetings and in house meetings. Assessment of potential new clients in their homes with family and health professionals.Training opportunities and supporting staff who wish to progress in their personal journeys.

Medications order, booking in, stock checks and regular announced and unannounced checks in on any floor and at any times to ensure the high level of care and recording is maintained throughout shifts.

I officially started my journey in domiciliary care full time from July 2015 however was working as a bank carer for the previous year alongside another work. This has been an eye opener on how much help and support is needed for our elderly and I have learned many skills along the way. Personal care needs, medications intake, cooking and cleaning through a rotation system in Harrogate, Ripon and villages around. Recording day to day in care plans, contacting healthcare professionals, social services and families when needed to ensure safety was maintained. I went on to work part time in the office to support the manager with the rotas, the meetings and the trainings for staff. Shadowing new newcomers and leading by example.

Having a child disabled who was starting Springwater at a very young age, I came to work as a volunteer in the 6th form department to keep an eye on him. I was soon offered a care assistant position then a general teaching assistant the following year then specialised as a one to one GTA for a young lady who had complex health care needs. While working at Springwater on my last year I started to work bank with St Margaret as I wanted to expand my knowledge in the care sector.