Meet Clare Heaton - the Home Manager opening a new complex care service in Castleford

Clare Heaton is opening Exemplar Health Care’s newest complex care service in Castleford. 

Wheldale Heights will open in early 2023 and will specialise in supporting adults living with complex health and care needs arising from neuro disabilities, mental health conditions and physical disabilities. 

Since qualifying as a Registered Mental Health Nurse over 15 years ago, Clare brings a wealth of experience to the new service. This includes senior roles in mental health rehabilitation services, acute settings, prisons and most recently, opening a new service for adults with autism spectrum disorder with rehabilitation needs. 

In this blog, we talk to Clare Heaton, the Home Manager of Wheldale Heights, about why she joined Exemplar Health Care and how the home will be different to any other she’s worked in before.

What drew you to Exemplar Health Care in the first instance?

What stood out for me about nursing roles at Exemplar Health Care is the real opportunity to develop your clinical skills. 

No matter what your specialism, the diverse range of people we’ll support gives you the opportunity to learn new skills. As a Mental Health Nurse, I’m looking forward to enhancing my general nursing skills, as we have the facilities to care for residents requiring tracheostomy or ventilator care.

Exemplar Health Care Registered Nurses have access to a wide range of learning including: 
•    specialist clinical skills training 
•    behaviour support training 
•    leadership and management training programmes. 

I can’t imagine anywhere else offering this much learning. It’s brilliant.

What inspired you to work in health and social care?

I’m passionate about supporting people to live their best lives, whatever that looks like to them. And social care gives you the chance to do this.

I want to be part of people’s journeys, I want to build up relationships with the people I support, see them progress and watch them achieve their goals.

What do you think sets Wheldale Heights apart from working at other nursing homes? 

Exemplar Health Care’s model of care is something I’m extremely passionate about. 

Our high staffing levels will enable us to support people’s holistic needs and build trust, which leads to better outcomes for our service users. 

Colleagues at the home will also be able to access outstanding training and career development opportunities, as well as a range of rewards and benefits including retail and lifestyle discounts, 24/7 counselling and support, and access to wages early via fast P.A.Y.E. 

In addition, Nurses at the home will benefit from paid NMC membership, free RCNi Learning platform access and a salary sacrifice car scheme. 

What are you most excited for once Wheldale Heights opens?

As a Manager, I always bring fun into the workplace. I want the people who work at Wheldale Heights to love coming to work.

I can’t do my role without the team around me, and I always make sure that my colleagues feel valued, whether that’s through awards and celebrations, or small things like birthday cards. 

I have an open and honest management style, my door is always open. Everyone in the Wheldale Heights team will play a vital role in the home’s success. 

What would you say to people thinking about applying for the role at Wheldale Heights?

The opening of Wheldale Heights will bring 70 jobs to the local area, across a range of roles including care, nursing, activities, catering and housekeeping. 

We’re hoping to start induction for new colleagues in February 2023. The induction is a great opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge needed, as well as gel with the new team.

I’m passionate about building a fun and positive culture at the home, right from the very start. 

I’m looking for people who are caring, compassionate, kind and who want to make a real difference in the work they do. 

Care and nursing jobs in Castleford

When open, Wheldale Heights will offer 70 jobs for people living in the Castleford area.

Our roles offer stable employment, with flexible shifts, full support and training, as well as a great rewards and benefits package, including:
•    excellent career development opportunities
•    retail and lifestyle discounts
•    access to a 24/7 counselling line.

To find out more about job vacancies at Wheldale Heights, visit our online job search. 

For an informal chat about our nursing roles, please contact our Nurse Talent Specialists on 07375 924443 or pod2@exemplarhc.com

Make a referral for a complex care placement in Castleford

Wheldale Heights is now taking referrals for when it opens in early 2023. 

If you’re looking for a complex care placement in the West Yorkshire region, please contact our Referrals Team on 01709 565777 or referrals@exemplarhc.com.

Learn about our Registered Care Home Manager jobs on this page.