A quick Q & A with Sanya – Clinical Nurse Manager at Children’s Complex Care!
Our Children’s Complex Care (CCC) team provide round the clock care for children and young people with complex needs. So, we were honoured to sit down and chat with one of our valued team members to learn more about their role in supporting vulnerable children.
Sanya, one of our Clinical Nurse Managers and Educators, shares her insights and experiences in her role, as well as some top tips on caring for children and young people with complex needs.
Can you tell us about your career journey before you joined us?
I have a background in paediatric nursing, and graduated from City University, London. After qualifying from my degree, I worked on a general paediatrics ward at Newham University Hospital, treating a wide range of conditions from broken bones to appendicitis. I then had the opportunity to work in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Royal London through a secondment, and I enjoyed it so much that I stayed for another year and a half!
To develop my skills further, I joined Great Ormond Street. This opportunity provided an incredible learning experience with a range of different conditions. I’ve always enjoyed teaching, so I began exploring Nurse Educator roles. That’s how I first came across Children’s Complex Care.
What attracted you to Children’s Complex Care?
The values initially attracted me to Children’s Complex Care. I liked that we provide family-centred care that puts the family first.
The team environment is enjoyable too – unlike my previous experiences in various clinical settings. Working with a consistent team allows for building better relationships and gives a community-like vibe, which is very welcoming.
What are your responsibilities as a Clinical Nurse Manager/Educator?
As a Clinical Nurse Manager and Educator, I’m responsible for training new Healthcare Assistants and Nurses. Our office-based training covers basic life support, moving and handling, as well as fundamental clinical skills such as feeding, observations, and documentation.
I also teach more complex competencies, like invasive and non-invasive ventilation and how to support tracheostomies.
This training helps our team to understand what to expect when working with the people we support. Once they’re ready to go into the home, we provide child-specific training, with shadow and support shifts.
During these sessions I can spend hours with new starters, teaching them child-specific skills and preparing them for their new role.
I also manage care and support packages by liaising with commissioning boards. This includes assisting with the setup of new packages, ensuring care plans and MAR charts are updated, as well as servicing home equipment and handling day-to-day management tasks.
I also maintain good communication with families, gaining their feedback and making sure the care plans we create are fulfilling their child’s and their family’s needs.
What is your favourite part of being a Clinical Nurse Manager/Educator?
I am passionate about child-specific training and enjoy spending time in homes, teaching carers how to provide high-quality care. As a Clinical Nurse Educator, I teach them the importance of connecting with both the children and their parents. This is important as they are trusting us with their child.
As part of my Clinical Nurse Manager role, I have been able to build long-term relationships with the parents through regular visits and the continuous care we provide. Sometimes they’ll just call to have a chat and say, “I was just thinking of you today and I thought the next time you come over, we can have a cup of tea and it’ll be really nice.” I find great satisfaction in that and in this role.
Why should others consider working with complex children and young people?
I think many Nurses are unaware of how accessible and enjoyable it is to work in homes with these incredible families and children.
For me it’s about the variety of each day and the challenges that come with it. It’s not always clinical; sometimes it’s about engaging in activities like arts and crafts for sensory purposes. The care we provide is more of a holistic approach because we take into consideration the child’s emotional and spiritual needs rather than just administering feeds and medications.
It involves talking to them, playing with them, and being involved in their school and other aspects of their life. These are little people and you’re a big person in their life, so make the most of it and have fun with them because they are a joy to be around!
What advice would you give to someone considering joining CCC?
I would say the job is rewarding but it requires patience. Initially, entering the home on your first few shifts might feel overwhelming. However, building a bond with the child over time is important. Eventually, you will develop a love for the work, so stick with it!
Learn more about our roles!
We have a range of career opportunities across Greater London. If you are interested in joining our Children’s Complex Care team, email: CCCRecruitment@voyagecare.com or call 0207 407 7704 and start your next best decision today!