Quality care is a collaborative effort.
At Springfield Healthcare, our team works tirelessly to support our residents, their loved ones and our carers. In this new series, we will be introducing you to those who make Springfield tick, exploring the expertise and experience they bring to our community.
In this first instalment, we will be shining a light on our Clinical Support Manager, Sarah Paskett as she shares her career within the industry and how the sector has evolved throughout her career.
What first attracted you to begin a career in care?
My gran was a Nurse, a career she came to later in her life. I saw how much she loved it which inspired me. One of my aunties was also a Nurse and I used to spend a lot of time at their care home in Devon which provided me with first-hand insight into what a career in the industry may look like.
Describe how your career has progressed in the sector to get you where you are today?
I first trained as a nurse at St James’ Hospital in Leeds and worked there as a Nurse for a few years. However, when my eldest daughter was around 18 months old, I found it increasingly difficult to manage commuting, NHS shift patterns and childcare. This led to me moving to a care home in York with the intention of getting a job at the hospital. But I never returned to the NHS, I had fallen in love with the social care sector.
Describe your day-to-day and wide duties of your job role?
As a Clinical Support Manager, my role is to support the Manager and Deputy in the care homes, to oversee governance systems and develop better ways of working. I also ensure that all staff are comfortable with the systems and processes that are in place.
What is the most rewarding part of your role at Springfield?
The most rewarding part of my role is being part of a team all working towards the same goal.
How has the landscape of care changed since you first started your career?
It was very paper based when I first started working in the sector, and the residents had far less autonomy about their care than they do now. Staff were also recruited to fill a vacancy and were very task oriented as opposed to being people focused. It very much felt like that once the ‘jobs’ were done, the staff would then just sit around.
Comparing that to today, we now look for staff who have the residents at the very heart of what they do, they care about the people they look after and understand the legislation we work within.
What advice would you give someone who may be interested in pursuing a similar role within the care sector?
I would recommend trying to do some volunteering within the sector to get a real understand of what it is really like as you will experience both the best and worst of people. If it ends up being something you enjoy, just know that it will get into your soul and you won’t be able to let it go.
What are you most excited about regarding the future of Springfield Healthcare?
The continued opportunities to help the communities where we work.
What unique skills and experiences do you bring to the team?
I would say a calm exterior and a passion for doing what’s right for the people who choose to live with us. I have lots of experience in a variety of services including being a wellbeing ambassador and mental health first aider. I also think I am approachable and can motivate my staff so that they are able to complete their job to the best of their ability. I have been fortunate enough to meet some amazing people throughout my career who have shaped the person/manager I am today.
When you aren’t at work, how do you like to spend your time?
I like to walk the dog, visit my family, sew, knit and visit friends. I also enjoy spending time with my 16-year-old at home.
We are incredibly fortunate to have Sarah part of the team at Springfield, where she plays a vital role in supporting our community.
Our comprehensive care packages range from flexible homecare and live-in support to expert complex care and care in our beautiful care homes, ensuring we can meet your requirements at any stage. You can feel confident knowing our expert team is fully prepared and dedicated to providing high-quality, tailored support for every unique care need. Get in touch today to discuss how Springfield can support you in your care journey.
