Susan Yates

Care Home Manager

Sue has worked in the Health and Social Care sector for 12 years and has been with Doulton Court for a year. A career in care appealed to Sue as she is a very compassionate person and she is passionate about making a difference to the lives of the residents she cares for.

Why did you decide to join Four Seasons Health Care?

I liked that Four Seasons was such a supportive company. There is a great support network with the head office and a fantastic regional support team. There is always someone on the end of the phone or email who is happy to give advice or even just a bit of reassurance.

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

I love being a Home Manager and working with an amazing team! I enjoy supporting and giving guidance to my team. We’re like one big happy family and it’s lovely that they feel they can come and talk to me about anything.

The residents here are fantastic and it’s great that I can make this home a wonderful, happy place to live. Being able to support our residents is so rewarding, whether it’s helping someone or just having a laugh and making them smile is a brilliant part of my job.

As a Home Manager, I feel It’s important to also offer support to our residents’ loved ones. This is why I have such strong relationships with our residents’ families. Doulton Court truly is a fantastic home and I feel so proud to be managing it!

What are your favourite hobbies and pastimes? 

I love walking on the beach with my husband, Craig and our five dogs, Cancun Nan, Roxy, Daisy, and our new additions Star and Bertie. We’re also about to get chickens, which I am extremely excited about. If I weren’t to have a career in care, I think I would own a Hobby Farm!

Are there any highlights in your career you are particularly proud of?

Progressing in my career is my main highlight, it was a dream come true to progress from a carer to Care Manager. However, the biggest highlight of my life and my greatest achievement was becoming the Home Manager for Doulton Court! I worked so hard in my previous role and I was elated when I was offered the job. 

What do you feel is your biggest achievement outside of your career?

I came from a very dysfunctional family, who did not encourage us to follow our dreams or give positive feedback in any way. So I think my biggest achievement was realising I do have the ability and talent to achieve my goals in life and not to be afraid to go for them. I also realised I can make a positive difference to people’s lives and I am now confident in myself!

I am thrilled that I succeeded my dreams by being where I am now, as the Home Manager and moving to the coast. I’m now about to reach for my next goal, which is becoming a foster parent to give love and support to children who have similar backgrounds and difficulties to what I had.

What are your Qualifications?

I began my career in care in 1992 by working for various care agencies in Coventry. During this time, I would care for people in their own homes and work with small residential homes. Two years later, I took the exciting step of setting up my own business in the construction sector. I also ran a wine and spirit import business too.

However, I missed my work in the care sector, so in 2010 I began working in a specialised school for children with learning difficulties. After working in this role for three years, I moved to Rugby, which led me to getting a job as a carer in a care home. During my time with the home, I was promoted to a Care Manager. Eventually I joined another company where I was both an Administrator and Deputy Manager. Following this experience, I got another role as a Regional Manager, which involved managing and creating specialist care packages for people with complex care needs. I eventually left this role as I was thrilled to be offered the position of Home Manager for Doulton Court! Alongside my job, I also achieved my NVQ 2 & 3 in Health and Social Care and NVQ4 in Business and Administration.

• Contact Number: 01507 623800