Oz is Registered Home Manager at Clearwater’s homes in Harold Road, Leytonstone.
Managing 14 beds across three locations, Oz is now in her fourth year with the organisation. Oz started working within the PLD sector following several years with Haringey Council where she managed a 37 bed registered home for the elderly. “Developing relationships with people much older than me was very rewarding. Yet, inevitably those relationships didn’t last for long and for me and others in the team, losing residents was particularly sad,” explains Oz. “I wanted to continue within the care sector and working with adults with learning disabilities gave me a platform to build longer lasting relationships.” Consequently, Oz’s role changed and after one further placement, joined Harold Road in 2006.
Today, Oz manages a care team of 30 support workers, working with many residents each requiring tailored levels of care. For Oz, job satisfaction is seeing how residents can progress further along their care pathways. She explains more: “we can really make a difference to people’s lives. It’s a team approach as we develop strategies to make our residents more independent. We work closely with their families, external agencies and with the Waltham Forest and Redbridge Partnership. Watching people progress into community settings makes us feel that our work is worthwhile. To us, every step of progress is an achievement for our residents, and us.”
Oz is on call 24/7 and life is made that much easier by surrounding herself with dedicated staff. “We work for each other,” Oz continues. “We approach everything we do in a calm, collected and patient way. For many residents, life skills training can take time. We know, with confidence, that we can make the time for every individual.”
At the end of each day, you’ll find Oz jogging, running or rowing at the gym. A reformed smoker, Oz could be classed as a ‘fitness wizard’ or indeed a wizard of salsa dance – her other passion outside work. With more energy under her belt, Oz is now looking forward to supporting the expansion of services within the area. “Clearwater has a lot more to offer the local authorities that we serve around here. Our models of care work and I’m excited about being part of the new team who will be expanding our range of services in the months ahead.”