Service Manager Review

Item: Service Manager at Lifeways
Rating: 4.8
Author: Anonymous

at Lifeways

Higher Level Apprenticeship

Healthcare

Aberdeen

Review Submitted: April 2023

Overall Rating

4.8 /5

The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!

4.5/5 - Overview of Role

4/5 - Skills Development

4.8/5 - Structure and Support

Overview of Role

Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

4/5

My role is very varied, depending on the needs of the business. there are days which are filled with supervisions and office work and there are days when I am supporting, making sure the people we support get the appropriate levels of care. No day is the same and that is why I find my job fulfilling.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

5/5

I really enjoyed both my SVQ 3 and SVQ 4 programme. I feel that a lot of the skills and guidance that we spoke about in the programme, I was implementing already but without being aware of it. It was an eye opening course and I would definitely recommend it. I would especially like to praise my trainers as they made the last stretch very easy. Even though I was dreading to go on the last calls, they were very warm and reassuring and positively pushed me towards completion of the course.

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

4/5

Yes, definitely. I started with Living Ambitions in 2016 after I finished university. I was planning on getting some experience before I pursued my Masters Degree and I fell in love with the job. Through hard work and determination, and with the support of my managers, I progressed from Support Worker to Team Leader and now to Service Manager since 2018. Every position came with its challenges, but I think the skill I am constantly improving is communication. Better communication with my staff team and with my colleagues as well.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

5/5

Everything was very well organised. At the beginning of the course, I received all the materials and info sheets and everything I needed to successfully complete the programme. Every session we had, the tutor made sure that I was aware what I needed to submit next and I received positive feedback and encouragement.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

4/5

My employer made sure I was signed up for the appropriate course and, when I needed time off the floor to have the Teams Meetings, it was always approved. I also received help with a couple of parts of the programme where I was not sure of our policies and procedures.

How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

5/5

I felt well supported all the way through. I had a few different tutors, and all of them were very helpful and supportive, but one stood out as she knew how to push me towards completion of the course. What I liked about every tutor was the fact that they marked the assessments and we discussed where I needed to improve on in every call we had.

How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

5/5

I believe it consolidated the knowledge I already had. I also feel that it improved my communication and time management skills. At times, I was so overwhelmed with work that I did not manage to do any work for SVQ, but I was greeted with reassurance and support.

Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

5/5

Yes and no. There are no set extracurricular activities, but we meet up once-twice a year as management, and have a laugh together, sometimes we do team building exercises and other times we just vent and get back to work afterwards. We do have a rewards gateway website, where we can find everything from wellbeing to healthy recipes, cycle to work scheme.

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend Lifeways to a friend?

Yes

Why?

Every company has its downsides and everywhere you work with people, there will be issues. What I really like about Lifeways is that they promote internal growth first and if the position is not filled up, it goes externally. That way, you are up-skilling your team and offering a career to staff.

What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Lifeways?

We prefer up-skilling workers with no experience therefore do not be nervous if you come to an interview and you have no experience. If there is anything on your PVG, be honest about it as it will eventually show anyway. And most importantly, be punctual or come a few minutes early.

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