Joan Thomas
Neath,West Glamorgan
Summary
A highly experienced care professional with current responsibilities in management level. Experience includes coordinating the work of teams of nursing staff, nursing assistants, senior care assistants, and care assistants, by leading, motivating and developing them through knowledge, experience, and training. Competency demonstrated in over 34 years in social care practice. Overall, a flexible individual who is motivated by personal involvement in policy and practice development and quality service provision.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work history
Home Director
Dormy Care Community
Barry, Vale of Glamorgan
07.2024 - Current
- Participated in regular meetings to discuss resident feedback and operational improvements.
- Recruited and trained compassionate staff to provide high quality care services.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of and enforced health and safety precautions in social care practices.
- Managed a brand new 70 bedded care home. Increased the number of residents from 5 up to 50 in the past 12 months.
- Worked in partnership with external agencies and the regulator to maintain the standards expected.
Home Manager
HC One
, South Wales
10.2016 - 06.2024
- Managed daily operations ensuring high standards of care and support for residents.
- Led team meetings to discuss care strategies and improve overall quality of service provided.
- Ensured compliance with all regulatory standards through continuous monitoring and evaluation processes.
- Facilitated communication between families and healthcare professionals to address resident concerns.
- Took charge of recruitment process for new employees; selected candidates best suited for the job roles.
- Managed a team of over 65 staff including nurses, senior carers, carers, deputy manager, and team leaders as well as catering domestic teams and maintenance.
- Sent to other homes to support the manager or act as manager in their absence or whilst recruitment was taking place.
- Supported in homes who were non-compliant with the regulator or by the internal inspectors and helped develop teams through guidance, teaching, monitoring and dealing with a lot of difficult issues unearthed within the team.
Registered Service Manager
Swanton Care and Community
Ammanford, Carmarthenshire
07.2015 - 10.2016
- Managed budgets and resources effectively to optimise service provision and operational efficiency.
- Implemented staff development programmes to foster professional growth and enhance team performance.
- Oversaw daily operations to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and organisational policies.
- Conducted thorough audits on services provided, maintaining top-quality standards consistently.
- Supervised and evaluated employee performance, providing construction feedback and identifying staff talent.
Deputy manager
National Autistic Society
Neath, Neath Port Talbot
05.2014 - 06.2015
- Oversaw staff performance, providing mentorship and training to promote professional growth.
- Led team in developing and implementing operational strategies to enhance efficiency.
- Managed daily operations to ensure compliance with organisational policies and standards.
- Direct hands on experience dealing with and managing the varying behaviours of each of the individuals living in the home.
- Managed the sickness and leave of staff; providing supervision and appraisals for all staff; dealing with and responding according to behaviour incident recordings and safeguarding issues; preparing and attending reviews and liaising with outside agencies and other professionals.
Day Service Manager
Social Service and Housing
Neath, Neath Port Talbot
10.2003 - 03.2014
- Managing and developing a special needs day service for adults with profound learning and physical disabilities including complex health care needs.
- Heavily involved in the modernising day opportunities (MDO) and transition of adult social care (TASC).
- Trained and mentored staff in best practices for supporting individuals with diverse needs.
- Developed and implemented person-centred care plans to enhance service user engagement.
- Managed daily operations of service delivery, ensuring compliance with organisational policies.
- Collaborated with external agencies to coordinate resources and improve service provision.
Registered manager
Small House Homes
Plymouth
02.2003 - 10.2003
- Worked with young children with autism and severe challenging behaviour.
- Managed staff recruitment and training processes to cultivate a skilled workforce.
- Oversaw day-to-day operations, promoting a safe and nurturing environment for residents.
- Developed and maintained relationships with families, addressing concerns and enhancing communication.
Registered Manager
Gwalia Housing Group
Neath, Neath Port Talbot
09.1992 - 02.2003
- Managed a group home for adults with varying degrees of learning difficulties/dual diagnosis.
- Worked closely with families and other professionals to ensure that the needs of the individuals are effectively met while having the appropriate support they need to live as independently as possible.
- Worked closely with six individuals who lived in the home, ensuring that their needs were met as fully as possible and was involved in two of the clients moving into their own homes with minimal support from other agencies.
- Managed budgets to maintain financial viability of the facility.
- Oversaw daily operations to maintain a safe and supportive living environment for residents.
- Developed and implemented care plans tailored to individual resident needs and preferences.
Home Manager
Brothers of Charity
Waterford City, Republic of Ireland
09.1989 - 09.1992
- Managed budgets effectively, ensuring optimal use of resources.
- Managed daily operations of home, ensuring high standards of care and support for residents.
- Developed and implemented care plans tailored to individual resident needs and preferences.
- Administered medications to patients in accordance with prescribed guidelines.
Nursing Assistant
Sisters/Brothers of Charity
Waterford City, Republic of Ireland
09.1987 - 09.1989
- Assisted patients with daily living activities ensuring comfort and dignity.
- Provided emotional support and companionship to patients enhancing their wellbeing.
- Provided high-quality patient care, resulting in increased comfort and satisfaction.
- Engaged with patients using active listening and open-ended questioning to build meaningful relationships.
- Looked after 7 adults with varying degrees of learning difficulties.
- Worked in the baby unit (children aged 22 months to 4 years) where I helped provide stimulation to the children who varied greatly in their range of disabilities.
- Worked frequently on a 1-1 basis with the children.
- Had direct contact with parents/families on a daily basis which helped establish relationships and trust.
Nanny
Au Pair In America
New Jersey, America
09.1986 - 09.1987
- Provided attentive care and support for children, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment.
- Developed engaging activities and educational lessons tailored to children's individual needs and interests.
- Coordinated daily routines, including meal preparation, hygiene practices, and recreational activities.
- Managed behavioural challenges with patience and effective communication strategies to promote positive interactions.
- Assisted with homework, enhancing understanding of school subjects.
Skills
- Social Care Wales Registration - W/5005487
- Vulnerability awareness
- Knowledge of dementia care
- Recruitment and hiring practices
- Nursing home operations management
- Care standards act understanding
- Quality assurance auditing
- Budget management
- Empathy and compassion
- Staff supervision
- Healthcare regulation knowledge
- Care management
- Safeguarding adults knowledge
- Staff rota coordination
- Care planning
- Training and Development
- Absence management
- Person-centred planning
- People Management
- Care home compliance
- Visible leadership
- Patient confidentiality
- Palliative care understanding
- Clinical governance understanding
- Communication proficiency
Qualifications/Education
2017 - Gower College, Ty Coch, Swansea - Level 3 Certificate in Dementia Care
2017 - SCWD Bridgend Local Authority - Dementia Care Series - Residential Care - 5 Day Course
2015 - CCTA Assessment Centre for QCF Awards - QCF Level 5 Management in Adult Settings
2012 - TLC Training LTD - Moving & Handling Train the Trainer
2010-2011 - Neath Port Talbot Lifelong Learning Service - Introduction to Complementary Therapies
2005 - Institution of Occupational Safety and Health - IOSH Certificate
2003 - Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examination - NVQ Level 4 In Management
2002-2003 - CCTA Assessment Centre for NVQ Awards - NVQ Level 4 In Care
1999 - 2001 - CCTA Assessment Centre for NVQ Awards - HNC In Care Practice/Care Management
1999 - CCTA Assessment Centre for NVQ Awards - NVQ Level 3 in Supervisory Management
1997-1998 - CCTA Assessment Centre for NVQ Awards - NVQ Assessor D32 and D33 Level 2 and 3
1996-1997 - Ty-Coch College Swansea - Diploma in Welfare Studies
Timeline
Home Director
Dormy Care Community
07.2024 - Current
Home Manager
HC One
10.2016 - 06.2024
Registered Service Manager
Swanton Care and Community
07.2015 - 10.2016
Deputy manager
National Autistic Society
05.2014 - 06.2015
Day Service Manager
Social Service and Housing
10.2003 - 03.2014
Registered manager
Small House Homes
02.2003 - 10.2003
Registered Manager
Gwalia Housing Group
09.1992 - 02.2003
Home Manager
Brothers of Charity
09.1989 - 09.1992
Nursing Assistant
Sisters/Brothers of Charity
09.1987 - 09.1989
Nanny
Au Pair In America
09.1986 - 09.1987