Chris Dymond - Jonathan House Manager

Best bit about your job?

The best part of supporting adults with learning disabilities is how you can make a positive impact on their lives. You soon learn you hold the key to opening doors to great opportunities for individuals. Leaving work feeling you’ve made someone’s life better and have helped individuals achieve their dreams and aspirations is very rewarding.

Worst bit?

Can be very demanding work at times.

Where will you be in five years?

I would like to be involved more in organisational management.

Advice for anyone wanting to do your job?

If your passionate about working with people and improving peoples lives apply for a job in social care.

How did you get the job?

I applied for a cleaner’s job initially in 1998. It wasn’t long before I was doing bank support work which led to a full time support worker role.

Through hard work and dedication to the role I became a senior support worker within a couple of years then was promoted to team leader in 2002 and assistant manager in 2004.

After 5 years experience at assistant manager I became an acting manager in Sept 2009 and after a successful assessment day was appointed manger.

I am now managing a home for 8 service users and promote a person centered approach and encourage greater independence.

Any perks? (training, flexibility)

I have a young family and Freeways have allowed me to be flexible when required. The training Freeways offers is 5 star !!

For new staff the comprehensive LDQ program leads into NVQ opportunities for staff.

I have completed an NVQ3 in care, D32/33 NVQ assessors award an F.A.E.T training certificate and am currently working towards an NVQ4 in Leadership and Management of Care Services.

What did you want to be when you were young?

I wanted to be an accountant.

This obviously didn’t happen but as part of my role I manage a 150k annual budget and both my Accounts and Psychology A-Levels have turned out to be quite relevant to my career.