Oaklands Care Home

I gained a University Degree in Business Management BA (Hons) in 2009 at De Montford University. I have worked full-time in the care home industry since 2009 after graduating. I have gained all my mandatory training plus extra specialist training such as Mental Capacity Act, DoLS, Medication, and Diploma in Dementia.

I completed the (NVF) QCF Level 5 Diploma in Health & Social Care for Managers in 2015.

I have successfully run Richmond Court Residential home (Our sister's home) in Dudley, which is a Dementia Care Home. I have great experience working with Dementia and Challenging behaviour service users. I have a proven track record of running a successful care home. I now focus my efforts on raising the standards at Oaklands Care Home. I am extremely committed to improving and upgrading working practices. I have pushed forward with the team in introducing technology into the care home to make the service we provide more efficient, accurate and less likely for errors to occur.

As of October 2022, Jacqueline Spittle (Location Manager) was invited to be part of a Panel of “expert care home managers” for NHS, Black Country Integrated Care Board. Our role is to represent the care homes in the Dudley Area to help bridge the gap between the NHS and Care Homes.

As of November 2022, we have been working in partnership with Wolverhampton University and we are proud to say that we will soon be a training hub for student nurses.

Winner of the Care Home Manager of the Year Award from West Midlands Care Association 2021. Please see the internet link to watch the video. www.wmca.care/awards/2021

I have worked in the care sector since 2000. I originally started as a care assistant and quickly worked my way up the ranks to become Registered Manager. I have also supported/troubleshot a group of homes in a Regional Managers Role.

I have a wealth of experience and qualifications. I have gained the following: NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care, NVQ Level 4 Management in Health & Social Care Registered Managers Award, Dementia Awareness for Managers (Wolverhampton University), Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards & Mental Capacity Act 2005, plus all mandatory training.

I am very much “hands-on” and support my team on the floor. I am very approachable and have knowledge, understanding and empathy towards families and residents having first-hand experience with my father living with dementia.

In 2019, I was nominated for Best Registered Manager by West Midlands Care Association. I was nominated again in 2021 and was delighted that I won the “Best Registered Manager’s Award” for the West Midlands.

I qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1971. I did my Paediatric training at Sheffield Hospital in 1973. I became the Nursing Sister for Paediatrics at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton shortly after. I was in this post for 25 years. After the hospital, I worked in Care Homes. I have been working in Care Homes for the past 23 years. During this time I was a Care Home manager for Bupa for 5 years and most recently I was the clinical lead for a Barchester Care Home. After Barchester closed down I applied for a Nursing position at Oaklands Care Home. I started at Oaklands as an RGN and was soon promoted to Deputy Manager due to my wealth of knowledge and experience. I love my job and have no intention of slowing down, even with my many grandchildren.

I have been working in the care industry since 1999. During this time I have achieved levels 2, 3 and 5 in Care Management. I have a wealth of experience with the elderly client group. I have skills in leading a team of care staff, dealing with admissions and implementing person-centred care plans.

Prior to coming to Oaklands, I had experience running a 28 bedded dementia care home in the absence of the manager. My role is to ensure that the day-to-day running of the care home is smooth and to support the team when needed. I often get mistaken as being a qualified nurse due to my vast experience and knowledge.

I first started my career in Health Care in 1987, working for Sandwell Social Services in a 48 bedded elderly care home. I am dedicated, and stayed there for 34 years! During that time I gained my NVQ level 2 in Direct Care, NVQ Level 3 in Management of Care Services and NVQ Level 4 in Registered Managers. I progressed from support care to Deputy Manager. I have great knowledge and experience in caring for people with complex needs.
I am passionate about elderly people receiving individualised care and promoting choices, rights and independence by working closely with families and other professionals.

I originally qualified as a Nursery Nurse in 2000. I gained experience working with students with learning disabilities. Over the years I gained a BTEC in Speech and Language Therapy, I also learned British Sign Language and Makaton. During my time working at Old Park Special School, I was part of the “Team Enterprise” group. With the students, we made lots of items to sell at various events at the school, such as coffee mornings. The money raised was used for school trips and resources for the students.

After leaving the school, over the past 11 years I worked for Summerhill Surgery, Kingswinford as administration staff for the Care Home Team. Here I gained knowledge of care homes, elderly care, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Medications and the many referrals we dealt with into outside agencies.

I am now delighted to be part of the Oaklands Family. I look forward to planning and fundraising for many events in the future for our residents.

I have gained a BA (Hons) degree in Accounting and Finance at Wolverhampton University (2009), part ACCA qualified. I have had numerous roles in the past, I have established myself in the finance industry, and I have worked with accountants and managers, completing bookkeeping to management accounts. As well as finance roles, previously, I have worked in a pharmacy as a technician and in sales for a large retailer. My most recent job was working for a large pharmaceutical company where I established my skills and proficient knowledge in business. I have also gained a Diploma in Applied Sciences (2020). I am hardworking and committed to striving for that extra mile. To add value to the Care industry, I will further invest my time in learning and developing my skills and knowledge in health and social care.