Carla Dixon-Peart fought off stiff competition to win the coveted Manager of the Year Care Home award in the prestigious Surrey Care Awards 2016.  The Awards are the Oscars for the Adult Social Care industry and an opportunity to highlight excellence in the sector.

Not only were the staff keen to nominate Carla, but it was the Residents and their next of kin who suggested that she was put forward. Both of these nominations made it through to the Finals – a testament to the quality of the staff at Ashton Manor as the standard of nominations was particularly high. The whole team were grateful to those relatives and residents who supported the nominations.

The judges singled out Carla as a winner saying “Excellence in care delivery is paramount for Carla. Under her leadership excellent care has been enhanced and occupancy at the home increased. Her warmth and empathy and her open door policy have contributed to the increase in visits by relatives, many of whom comment that the atmosphere feels like a family home”. They noted that her outstanding interpersonal skills and sunny personality pervaded the home. She proactively seeks the views of residents, staff and health care professionals to help improve the quality of care. Her focus is to encourage staff throughout the home to develop their own careers. As one relative commented “Carla has given me peace of mind. She had made a big difference to my father’s anxiety and his quality of life. She’s one in a million”. Susan Guring, Assistant Manager said “I feel fortunate to have this chance to work with Carla and have her as my mentor. She is supporting, encouraging and provides me with the opportunities and tools to progress further”.

On winning the Award she said “I was thrilled to win the Award. It recognizes the achievement and dedication of all my wonderful team at Ashton Manor – I couldn’t have done it without them!” As she says, Ashton Manor is special, the home isn’t just for the residents, but it’s also a home from home for the staff and the relatives.