Care Home Professional – August 2019

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JO BOLTON – MANAGER, OF OUTSTANDING RATED WESTFIELDS CARE HOME,

SWAFFHAM, WEST NORFOLK, NORSECARE

H

ow did you join Norse Care?

In 1991 I was successful with an application to join

the team at Westfields care home in Fakenham,

West Norfolk as a domestic assistant. It became

clear very early on to me that I loved supporting people and I

was keen to develop a career in the care industry. With support

over several years, I progressed in different care roles in a

number of care homes. I became a care home manager in 2002

and have been the manager at Westfields for almost four years

and thoroughly enjoy my role.

What is special about NorseCare?

NorseCare really support and appreciate their employees, at

every level. At managerial level, I can get expert advice from

a range of people at any given time with all sorts of experience.

The consistent theme of support is that the wellbeing of

residents is at the heart of what we do. As a manager I am

encouraged to think outside the box and when I put forward

ideas from the team at Westfields, I know that we will be

supported to try those things. Of course, this means we

enhance the lives of people living with us consistently.

What do you find most rewarding about

your job?

Knowing the residents in our care are safe

guarded and receive the highest quality care.

The people living at Westfields are involved in

every aspect of the service from sitting on our

interview panels and the reviews for new staff, to

the décor and garden layout at the home. We are

extremely proud of how we have created a truly

person-centred environment that feels like home

from home.

What has been your proudest moment?

Being awarded the rating of outstanding by CQC

has to be the biggest highlight of my career. To

see residents, staff, families and professionals as

excited about the achievement as I am is fantastic.

It reinforces that Westfields really is unique and

innovative with our inclusive approach, culture

and values.

What has been your greatest challenge

and how did you overcome it?

It is essential that the staff team feel valued and

listened to. A great deal of work has gone in to

forging good, trusting relationships between the

senior team and the staff team. We are in a great

position where the staff team are confident to share

ideas, raise concerns and put forward new initiatives

knowing they will be heard and supported.

Tell us three things you need to provide

great care?

Surround yourself with the right people in the right

roles who share the same vision and work in unison.

Have a robust development plan that captures

information from various audits and enables you to

learn from your experiences. Create a home from

home, a place where people can live in a relaxed

way with things to stimulate them if they wish and

support them whenever they need it.

How do you relax?

Family time is really important. I like to spend time

with friends and this usually involves food and an

occasional glass of something! I also enjoy going to

auctions and upcycling furniture.

MANAGER OF THE MONTH

Jo Bolton

41 CARE HOME PROFESSIONAL | August 2019