Ferndown Manor

“I have a master’s degree in microbiology and a level three in education and teaching. I also have an operations manager qualification. I joined Care UK in 2020, mainly because of its reputation. As a relief manager, I provide support in the absence of a permanent home manager. In this role, you need to have strong leadership skills and be able to stay calm and multitask in challenging situations. The nature of our work also means it’s essential to have empathy and compassion. I would say the most important aspect of my job is to provide homes with the support they need, so they are compliant and meet all the regulatory standards expected of them. My approach is to ensure teams feel empowered through good coaching and mentoring. I always feel incredibly proud when I see teams be the best they can be. For me, knowing I’m doing a good job comes from seeing a happy home with happy residents, families and colleagues. One particular highlight was when I managed Carpathia Grange which received an ‘outstanding’ rating for the ‘caring’ category in its last CQC inspection in 2024. In my spare time I love travelling and reading.”

— Pooja Dhoot