Verna Irvin

Joined a growing domiciliary care provider with 90 staff and progressed through to Company Manager, overseeing an organisation that now delivers over 8,500 care hours per week across two East Sussex branches with a workforce of over 350.

As Registered Manager – Worthing Branch (September 2016 – November 2018)

• Led CQC inspections for the Worthing branch as Registered Manager, ensuring full compliance with regulatory standards
• Held a dual role simultaneously overseeing the Hastings branch in the absence of its Registered Manager
• Recruited, supervised and appraised staff; managed rotas, disciplinary proceedings and staffing issues
• Wrote and reviewed care plans and risk assessments, ensuring a person-centred approach tailored to each client's individual needs
• Investigated and responded to complaints and safeguarding concerns in line with organisational policy and legislation
• Liaised with GPs, CHC, Social Services, community nurses, OTs, the local hospice and hospital teams
• Reported under RIDDOR; made DBS referrals and supported investigation processes where required
• Delivered training in managing challenging behaviour; maintained an up-to-date training matrix for the team
• Managed the emergency on-call line and provided care cover when operationally required

As Company Manager (2020 – Present)

• Promoted to Company Manager following significant organisational growth, including the award of two further local authority tenders (supported living in Eastbourne, 2019; domiciliary care in Eastbourne, 2022)
• Oversaw the management of 350 staff across multiple sites, with the Hastings branch alone delivering approximately 6,000 care hours per week
• Responsible for operational leadership, quality assurance, workforce development and regulatory compliance across all services
• Maintained strong staff retention through a supportive, person-centred management style and genuine investment in staff wellbeing
• Ensure all services remain aligned with current CQC standards, legislation and best practice as the regulatory landscape evolves

Provided dedicated 2:1 support to a young woman with complex needs, with a focus on community presence, participation and ensuring she felt valued as an individual.

• Delivered high-quality personal care and person-centred support tailored to the individual's needs
• Facilitated community access and inclusion, providing a varied and active weekly programme within an agreed budget
• Supported the service user's integration within a day centre environment alongside other service users
• Maintained accurate, up-to-date documentation contributing to the individual's annual care review
• Adhered to risk assessments and reported any concerns promptly to the line manager

Registered Manager of a specialist residential home supporting adults with Prader-Willi syndrome, responsible for the full operational and clinical leadership of the service in line with CQC standards.

• Assessed new service users' needs and authored care plans and risk assessments, ensuring a person-centred approach that promoted independence wherever possible
• Managed and developed a diverse staff team through regular supervision, appraisal and an up-to-date training matrix, ensuring all staff were appropriately skilled for the care they delivered
• Scheduled rotas and managed staffing levels within an annual budget, balancing operational requirements with quality of care
• Acted as emergency on-call manager, providing leadership and support outside of core hours
• Led on complaints and safeguarding concerns, raising and escalating as required
• Liaised with external agencies including CLDT, GPs, OTs, day centres and families to ensure joined-up, holistic support for each service user
• Reported under RIDDOR and maintained full COSHH compliance; managed a building maintenance plan and ensured health and safety issues were risk assessed and resolved promptly
• Supported clients in the community, promoting a sense of meaning, inclusion and quality of life
• Ensured housekeeping standards and the physical environment met the needs of service users and regulatory requirements

Worked within a private residential home supporting adults with learning disabilities, complex needs and challenging behaviours, progressing over seven years from support worker to deputy manager.

• Wrote and reviewed care plans and risk assessments, promoting independence and delivering a good quality of life for each service user
• Assessed clients and supervised staff, completing Regulation 26 and working within CQC guidelines
• Stood in for the registered manager during absences, taking full responsibility for the running of the home
• Supported clients in the community, fostering inclusion and a sense of belonging
• Specialised in managing and de-escalating challenging behaviour, providing hands-on support to staff in complex situations
• Deployed as an internal trouble-shooter across homes within the group — when services faced behavioural or staffing difficulties, was placed into those settings to assess the situation, implement action plans and establish a clear path forward.