Marie Shillito – Learning Disabilities Team Manager
Hi, I’m Marie. My role within New Concept in Care and Nursing is the Service Manager for the Learning Disabilities division. I started my employment with NCCN in November 2023. Although, I’m relatively new to the company and I’m in my first weeks, I feel that I have worked for NCCN for several years as I feel I fit in very well. The team I have met are so friendly, welcoming and between us all we have lots of varied skills and qualifications to make and build a well-established, care and quality focussed team.
I became interested in working in the care sector at a very young age. In fact, I was under the legal age limit of 18 to be able to have a Contract of Employment. As I was very keen to start my career, I therefore decided to work as a Volunteer in a Residential Care Home in Hull, for adults with Physical Disabilities. I would visit the home and support the service users with their daily living skills, join in varied inhouse activities or escort them on day trips and outings of their choice. Whilst doing this, I was able to develop my knowledge and understanding on various physical and mental health disabilities.
In 1995, I was able to sign a Contract of Employment and over the years of working in a Residential Care Home, I was always given the opportunity to flourish and be promoted ‘up the ranks’ (so to speak!). The job roles I had where: Support Worker, which then lead to a Team Leader where I managed my own team at the age of 21, Care Services Co-ordinator, then onto Assistant Manager.
Unfortunately, my career came to a stand still as an Assistant Manager. But in January 2014, I was approached and asked if I would consider stepping up into a Service Manager role on an interim basis. The reason for this was because another care home within the Physical Disabilities and Autistic division, located in Nottingham sadly received a negative CQC Inspection and was rated ‘Inadequate’. I was so excited for the development opportunity; I couldn’t wait to get stuck in! My skills and knowledge were certainly put to the test as I was asked to step in as a turnaround manager. 6 months later in July 2014, we were re-inspected, and the rating improved to ‘Good’. I then became the Registered Manager for the service and sustained the CQC rating as Good for the remainder of my time with the company.
Over the years I have gained experience through hands on care/ work-based learning, online and face to face training and have successfully achieved Health and Social Care Level 2, 3 and 5 Leadership and Management, A1 Assessor Award, PTLLS Level 3 Award, Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care for Children and Young Adults, Diploma in Operations Management, Manual Handling Train the Trainer, and Project Management. I feel that my CPD is very important in keeping up to date with current legislation and I do this by reading various news articles/ newsletters and joining webinars.
During my time with the above company, I also worked with service users in the Brain Injury Rehabilitation division where they had experienced and suffered traumatic accidents or events in their lives, resulting in them having lifelong mental health issues and/ or physical disabilities.
I then became the Registered Manager for a Domiciliary Care company based in two areas, one in the East Riding of Yorkshire and the other in North Yorkshire and I also part owned another 3rd branch within that same company. I supported clients with various care requirements including Dementia, Learning Disability, Autism and Complex PTSD.
In 2023, I started my role as Learning Disabilities Service Manager at NCCN and I can honestly say it’s a pleasure to be part of a reputable, fast-growing company.
I have been and always will be very passionate and committed to my role. My focus is to continue to succeed in supporting those that deserve a quality of life, promote their independence, and remain to be an excellent team player to those I work together with.
In my personal time I love being a mummy to my little girl and I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.
