Our new Service Manager at Kingly Terrace, Tina Colley, tells us about her career background and experience, how she is settling into her new role, and her vision for the service.
Kingly Terrace is our Neurological Rehabilitation Service in Northamptonshire providing residential Neurological, Neuro Rehabilitation and Neurobehavioural support to adults. The service is rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Can you tell us a bit about your career background and experience?
“I’ve worked in the care sector for 28 years. I started off working in the NHS as a Healthcare Assistant and did my nurse training.
“I realised early on that I wanted to go into management within healthcare so that’s the direction I went. I have been a part of opening three Acquired Brain Injury Units, all in the Bedfordshire area. I’ve also worked for Dementia services, Learning Disability services, and care of the elderly.
“I’ve worked in a number of Quality Monitoring roles too. For example, I worked in the Care Standards Monitoring team at Bedford Borough Council. The team and I went into services within the Bedfordshire area and completed audit and quality monitoring checks. We would provide the service with a report and a list of actions, if any, on the things we felt needed to be put in place to be compliant with the Care Quality Commission.
“I’m a First Aid instructor so I can provide the Emergency First Aid Training Course and the First Aid at Work Training Course.
“I also have an education training qualification.”
What is your favourite thing about working at Kingly Terrace so far?
“My favourite thing is working alongside my staff team and the lovely residents at the service.
“One of our ten principles here is Trust and it’s been really nice as a manager to feel like you’re trusted and that you have the autonomy to make the service a home. I feel like I’m really given the opportunity to make the service mine alongside the team and Active Care Group as a whole.”
Can you give us an overview of the services that are provided at Kingly Terrace?
“Kingly Terrace is a 12-bedded Acquired Brain Injury Service. We have large spaces and communal areas. We are more of a slow stream rehabilitation service, so we have therapists who come in on a weekly basis. The residents that come to Kingly Terrace have already had their main rehabilitation, so we focus on maintaining the residents’ recovery and quality of life at a longer term rehabilitation service.
“At the service we have a number of therapy rooms including a therapy kitchen.”
What are the team like at Kingly Terrace?
“The team are very good, knowledgeable, helpful, and caring. They are all working really hard.
“We currently have decorators in to refurbish the older part of the building and the team have been a great support with managing the decorating, while keeping the service running smoothly.
“The team are motivated and really want the service to go to the next level. We have staff members that have come from different care sectors, and also others that have never worked in the care sector and are starting their career here. I also have staff members who are doing NVQ’s.
“The team at Kingly Terrace are positive and enjoy their roles. It’s very encouraging.”
What is your vision for the service and where would you like it to be in the next few years?
“I would like for the service to be at full occupancy and for us to maintain our ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating.
“I want us to provide the best possible care to our residents and to support them to feel safe, happy and empowered. I’d also like all of our rooms and spaces at Kingly Terrace to have an identity.
“I want to make sure that we are proud when visitors, commissioners, residents, and residents’ families walk into the service, and that they see the great service we have here at Kingly Terrace.”
And finally, what do you like to do in your spare time?
“I like to cook, particularly Italian food, and I love listening to music.
“I have an African Grey parrot called Harry, who takes up a lot of my time.
“I like spending time with family and friends.
“I love DIY and gardening.
“I’m always keen to develop my own professional development too so I’ve always got my head in book trying to learn new things.”
