Deborah Atherton

I have over 21 years' experience working in children's residential services for the local authority. I work with young people who are looked after by the local authority between the ages of 10 and 17 years old. These young people have highly complex needs as a result of abuse, neglect, or rejection from families. I am part of a team which works within a rota shift pattern, including evenings and weekends.

I have 12 years' experience as a deputy manager. Within this timeframe, I became an interim registered manager for 18 months. This ended due to the service going through a redesign. I then returned to my role as a deputy manager, working over two homes.

Prior to becoming a manager, I worked as a residential support worker.

I have five years' experience as a trainer – I delivered sexual health training to other professionals. I completed this role alongside being a deputy manager.

I currently manage two homes with a registered manager. We are responsible for two homes, one having two young people, and the other can have up to four young people. Between us, we manage 20 residential support workers, 12 of whom I supervise, ensuring they receive regular, formal supervision.

My responsibilities include:.

Devising, reviewing, and updating placement plans, risk assessments, behaviour management plans, and intervention plans for all young people living in both homes.

Monitor, review, and reflect on the progress of the young people, risk factors, education provisions, family time, achievements, and social time.

Complete effective monitoring through monthly file audits, actioning any identified areas for improvement.

Completing six monthly Regulation 45 reports, in line with Ofsted requirements.

Work in line with the Children Act, Ofsted requirements, Children's Homes Regulations, local and national policies, guidance, and legislation, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Establish, build, and maintain relationships with the young people, their families, team members, and other professionals to support the young people in making good progress and ensure the effective running of the home.

Keep up to date on new research and legislation to support the home to work effectively, supporting the best possible outcomes with Ofsted ratings.

Ensure the team has appropriate skills and knowledge to effectively work with the young people, manage risk, and make good progress. Identify training needs and support the team to access these.

Support team members through the completion of a yearly PDR—personal development record—which promotes development of individuals, and progression of their career.

I effectively manage my workload, am very organised, prioritise my workload, can adapt quickly to change, and can think on my feet.

I complete rotas for the team, and balance team members across two homes.

I work in line with a financial budget, and I monitor and review how our finances are used.

Customer service, collecting money from customers, supervising other staff members, cashing up the tills, and dealing with complaints.

Organised stock inventory to prevent shortages during peak hours.

Maintained clean premises, promoting a welcoming atmosphere for customers.

Supervised team members to ensure excellent service delivery.

Worked with pre-school age children, with a wide range of disabilities.

Provided one-to-one care, play, and interaction with the children.

Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.

Selling advertising space to customers, other businesses.

Delivered good customer service.

Managed own workload.

Sell to the public, complete paperwork, make appointments with clients, vet new claims made, complete documentation to support existing claims, and regularly drive around the North West and Midlands.

Embroider clothing for building contractors, using computers, stock checks, order picking in the warehouse, and packing.

Improved product quality by carefully monitoring embroidery machine operations.

Maintained cleanliness of work area, promoted a safe working environment.

Liaise with the public, promote the nightclub to the public, provide customer service, serve customers, manage money taken, stock the bar, and perform cleaning.

Promote the nightclub to the public, customer service, liaise with various businesses to promote the nightclub.

Manage quilting machines, stock checks, and packing.