Area Operations Manager Review

I am responsible for overseeing 9 residential homes for adults with complex needs. I support the Registered Managers in each home to achieve and maintain a high quality of care for people who live in the homes. Within this, I support with budgets, recruitment, external quality, safeguarding, managing complex incidents.

I have learnt and developed so many skills. I have developed: my time management, prioritising (pareto principle), self awareness, managing KPI's in a better way, managing performance of my team better, prioritising and delegating better. I have learnt: 360 degree feedback, many different models for leadership, coaching and mentoring.

My tutor will confirm this but I absolutely love my training programme. I was awarded learner of the month earlier in the year and received a certificate and £50 gift voucher! I love developing existing skills and learning new ones. My background is academic and I love learning in general.

The programme is really organised and structured. When logging into [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] you can clearly see your progress against different skills and modules. When I meet with my tutor on a monthly basis, we'll go through current module and touch on next ones to ensure preparation which I really value.

My direct line manager will sign reviews when they are due. When I learn a new skill or want to implement something new, my line managers have been really open and responsive in terms of trying it. I have a good off the job percentage because I do a lot of skills during hours.

The level of support I recieve from my tutor is perfect for me. If I email with a query she responds really quickly and efficiently. When we meet on Teams monthly she'll ask how I am in general (personal interest) and then will go through current work. Our meetings aren't long but that's okay because I like to crack on.

It's supported me significantly. Although I've been doing my role a little while and had a basic understanding, most tasks I do now, I do with a fresh skill level because everything is enhanced. My personal performance has definitely improved. I am really looking forward to doing my project!

I wouldn't necessarily say there are but we do host events such as group wide managers forums, group wide learning experiences, time away from day to day tasks to network with colleagues but also opportunities to be able to go to external networking events such as conferences (for example I once went to the Excel centre in London for 2 days for the Care Conference)

Yes

Our values feel right. We have industry leading recognition rewards for colleagues such as lottos, superhero of the quarter rewards, values scratchcards, refer a friend bonus, mental health support. We have an incredible senior team with a wealth of knowledge and expertise which means everything we do, we're able to do in the best possible way.

Be prepared for everyday to be challenging. You will get out of your role what you put in. The challenges and rewards are very much worth it, even if we do have difficult days due to the nature of people we support. Working with the people we do is an immense pleasure and privilege.