TILLY BLENKHARN
Wootton,United Kingdom
Summary
Confident and approachable Deputy Service Manager with strong operational experience across supported living services. I lead accountable teams, manage safeguarding and complex incidents calmly, and make balanced decisions that prioritise safety and person-centred outcomes. Experienced in service mobilisation, workforce planning, compliance monitoring and multi-agency working, with a strong focus on risk management, quality assurance and maintaining CQC and PAMMS standards. Committed to developing staff and promoting independence through safe, well-led and resilient services.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work history
Deputy Service Manager
Next step Support
Bedford, Bedford
2023.01 - Current
- Deputise for Service Manager and provide day-to-day operational oversight.
- Lead safe staffing, rota management (RotaCloud), and commissioned hours compliance.
- Manage incidents, safeguarding concerns and crisis situations in partnership with CMHT, Crisis Teams, housing and police.
- Maintain oversight of audits, risk assessments, medication systems and governance compliance.
- Support CQC and PAMMS standards through monitoring and quality assurance.
- Line manage Support Workers and Senior Staff (supervision, appraisal, performance management).
- Promote reflective practice and succession planning within teams.
- Supported full mobilisation and opening of Shannon Court.
- Led operational planning for transition from Bedford House to Broadway House.
- Coordinated furnishings, CCTV installation, utilities setup, and IT infrastructure.
- Planned and managed safe client transitions ensuring continuity of care.
- Worked collaboratively with housing providers, contractors and senior leadership.
Team Leader / manager
Creative Support
Bedford, Central Bedfordshire
2019.04 - 2023.01
- Prevented resource gaps by participating in out-of-hours support rota (on call.)
- Constantly met care quality goals, ensuring optimal staffing levels and skill mix were achieved through effective rota management.
- Promoted individual wellbeing, verifying service users were safeguarded against abuse and neglect.
- Accurately assessed care needs of potential service users by conducting thorough pre-admission assessments.
- Ensured the delivery of quality, person-centred care for all service users.
- Maintained financial effectiveness of service, ensuring staff costs were within commissioned hours budget.
- Developed and updated personalised care plans suitable for patient needs.
- Maintained tidy environment to promote cleanliness, hygiene and quality standards.
- Collaborated with families, friends and social support groups of patients to develop treatment plans.
- Oversaw staff recruitment, training and development to determine residents remain in consistently safe hands.
Waking Night Support Worker
Fremantle Trust
Bedford, Central Bedfordshire
2008.05 - 2019.04
- Assessed clients and documented information for records and analysis.
- Provided Medication administration cover over the night time.
- Maintaining a clean and safe working environment.
- Financial auditing and historic archiving of records.
- Completing person centred care plans and updating information on the company intranet.
- Monitored client progress and adapted support programmes to meet changing needs.
Stock Control manager
Sainsbury's
Camden, City of London
2000.05 - 2008.04
- Customer service.
- Problem solving and resolving issues.
- Controlled best before dates to properly utilise stock.
- Maintained uninterrupted stock availability by correctly analysing supply chain data.
- Ensured inventory integrity, investigating and resolving inventory discrepancies.
- Oversaw stock control and distribution operations, managing 1 Million pounds a week in corporate inventory.
- Optimised efficiency of stock operations using data from hand-held scanners.
- Tracked stock availability levels to drive sales and team performance.
- Minimised reporting errors when working in fast-paced environment with high volume of inventory.
Education
NVQ Level 5 - Health and Social Care
Ecordia
2025.04 -
NVQ Level 3 - Health and Social Care
The Fremantle Trust
Bedford 2008.11 - 2009.03
Higher National Diploma - Public and Emergency Services
West Herts - Dacorum Campus
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire 1998.09 - 2000.04
GCSEs - English, Maths, Science, German, Food Technology
Watford Grammar School For Girls
Watford, NTH 1994.09 - 1998.09
Skills
- Computer literacy
- SMART goal setting
- Quality assurance and audits
- Rota and scheduling management
- Team leadership
- Clear communication across organizations
- Financial auditing and record archiving
- Personalized care planning and risk assessment
- Recruitment and induction training
- Staff management and disciplinary procedures
- Service management
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Performance monitoring
- Business continuity planning
- Health and safety compliance
Timeline
NVQ Level 5 - Health and Social Care
Ecordia
2025.04 -
Deputy Service Manager
Next step Support
2023.01 - Current
Team Leader / manager
Creative Support
2019.04 - 2023.01
NVQ Level 3 - Health and Social Care
The Fremantle Trust
2008.11 - 2009.03
Waking Night Support Worker
Fremantle Trust
2008.05 - 2019.04
Stock Control manager
Sainsbury's
2000.05 - 2008.04
Higher National Diploma - Public and Emergency Services
West Herts - Dacorum Campus
1998.09 - 2000.04
GCSEs - English, Maths, Science, German, Food Technology
Watford Grammar School For Girls
1994.09 - 1998.09