Home care manager explains why 'minimum of one hour visits' and independence are 'so important'

A Nottinghamshire home care manager developed her ‘passion for care’ after seeing her grandma working as a registered manager, and strongly believes that keeping people independent in their own home "is so important".

Right at Home registered manager Kayleigh Fraser has been working for the Nottingham company for nearly six years. Although she has always worked in social care, Ms Fraser has worked for several domiciliary companies and started her career in a care home.

’I think it is so important people have the choice to be independent’

Ms Fraser started her career in 2008 as a care worker and achieved her NVQ levels whilst working as well as studying at home. She told homecare.co.uk: “I had an assessor come out to the office and in the field where I worked. She would set me assessments that I had to do at home and then she would come out and observe me in the field with clients that would have agreed to let this happen.”

Ms Fraser started her career in a care home but felt she didn’t get enough time to get to know the residents. She said: “You were quite task driven and you had a lot of people to support in a short period of time. You had to get people up, dressed and ready for breakfast. It was very regimented.

“I am more for people remaining at home for as long as they can. It’s their own environment and there’s nowhere quite like home. In your own home, it’s very different. It’s about supporting them to be independent and it’s about doing what they want to do.

“I think it is so important people have the choice, they are not rushed and they are allowed to be independent rather than having people do it for them.”

Ms Fraser’s passion for social care runs through her family: “Quite a few of my relatives are carers or nurses. My grandma was a registered manager but started out as a care worker. I’ve always looked at it as something quite rewarding to help others to keep their independence and staying at home so that is what started my passion for care.”

’Always look for an agency doing a minimum of an hour’s visit’

Ms Fraser started her career at Right at Home as a care coordinator where she was responsible for scheduling the rotas meeting the clients and writing their care plans. “I have a good relationship with all our clients. I still go out and do hands on care if required.”

Six months later, Ms Fraser was promoted to deputy manager where she supported the registered manager before becoming registered manager in March 2018. She said: “I began as acting manager until the Care Quality Commission (CQC) gave me my registration to be a registered manager.”

To achieve manager status an NVQ level five qualification in health and social care is required. “I already achieved mine when I was in the deputy position and it’s having a good knowledge of legislation and having a good understanding of governance.

“We are lucky that we are a franchise as we have a network of managers that can support you in that role. If you have worked in health and social care, it will make a big difference on your ability to manage.”

For anyone who would like to join the sector, Ms Fraser has given some invaluable advice. She said: “For me, it’s about wanting to genuinely help and support people. If you haven’t got that genuine passion, then don’t join the industry. It can at times be very demanding and can have an effect on your own life but if you have a genuine passion to care for people then certainly join the team.

“Always look for an agency or a provider doing a minimum of an hour’s visit and look at what training opportunities they have available. Make sure you are going to be supported into a role that you haven’t done before.”

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