occupational therapist

physiotherapist

nurse

registered nurse

speech therapist

Pathfinders-Specialist-and-Complex-Care

During my time at Pathfinders Specialist and Complex Care, I found several challenges that significantly impacted both staff well-being and the quality of care provided to residents.

Staffing levels were a major concern. On many shifts, only two team members were responsible for supporting up to 12 residents. This included administering medication, assisting with meals, and providing personal care. As a result, care tasks such as repositioning, oral hygiene, and hydration were sometimes missed—not due to negligence, but due to being overwhelmed.

Training for handling complex mental health needs was limited, and staff were often placed in difficult situations without the appropriate support or preparation. Instances of verbal or physical aggression from residents were not always addressed in a way that prioritized staff safety and well-being.

Communication and leadership presented ongoing issues. Concerns raised by staff about working conditions or resident care were not consistently addressed. Some employees felt that confidential matters were not always kept private, which impacted trust in management.

Workload imbalance between different roles also created tension. Floor staff were often expected to handle the bulk of physical and personal care responsibilities, while feeling unsupported by other departments. Additionally, the morale among staff was low due to high turnover, burnout, and lack of recognition for the demanding nature of the work.

When inspections occurred, efforts were made to improve appearances temporarily, but the day-to-day challenges returned shortly after. This left many staff feeling disheartened.

Overall, the environment was stressful and emotionally exhausting, with limited resources and inadequate leadership. I believe there is potential for improvement, but significant changes would be needed in staffing, training, and management practices to create a supportive and effective care setting for both staff and residents.

Afew of the managers were bullies. Some challenging behaviours from residents, due to brain damage and other complex needs. Some of the residents are lovely, you will get attached to certain one’s because you do their 1 to 1’s and learn to understand them better, you will learn any triggers and quickly know what to do to avoid them. Patients are checked 2 hour and 4 hour at night and day so people get fed of you going in the rooms which is fair enough, but people need turns or regular checks due to care plan needs. Everything is logged by staff, cover yourself, because anything goes wrong, they will check who was in the room, listen and read all the care plans, no 2 people are the same, you can get in deep water if you dont know a patients wishes.
Take extra care to know each patient care plan.
Make sure you check for each hoist sling colour code and thats its safe because these change all the time.
Some of the staff were lovely and a joy to work with, as normal there can be clicks and family/couples.
Dont be afraid to say when something feels wrong, your probably right.
As usual tasks are avoided alot by staff.
Plus sign there is trained nurses on site so you will be supported quickly if somebody taken ill. 



As a current employee I have to be careful about what I say. 

The bottom line is - this home is not safe. It’s not safe for residents, and it’s not safe for staff. 

A number are suffering from burn out. The hours you give are never enough. A constant need for additional hours due to staff shortages. 

The ‘care’ staff on the whole have poor attitudes. They are simply there for the pay. 

The way in which residents are spoken to is appalling but seems to be a normal to them. 

Some nurses are highly skilled, some not so. The training is poor and not nearly as in depth as it needs to be for looking after individuals this complex. 

Higher members of staff will discuss your personal issues amongst themselves and the wider workforce - this also extends to management who seem to lack the word ‘confidential’ in their vocabulary. 

From their socials a pretty picture is painted. The reality is far from it. 

I don’t not know what will force change - but something needs to. 

This place could be amazing. Unfortunately from what I see, it’s failing massively and is unsafe and understaffed. 



If this is what care is like I’d rather not be involved. The care I have seen is poor with very low staff numbers, buzzers sounding for ages. Nurses can but don’t answer them. Care staff are rude, and some of the residents speak to you in a horrible way. The care staff aren’t caring, and the nurses do their rounds and sit in the offices rather than help. It’s really put me off care. Expecting to sit in a pitch black room for hours on end providing care to one resident. Expected to know what the resident needs despite the fact you have never met them before. Not for me I’m afraid. Several members of staff don’t move all night. There is no fairness in how staff are moved around. If your liked you get the nicer jobs, if your not you get the bad. No point complaining cos nothing happens. The care managers and nursing staff are very immature they will speak behind your backs to others members of staff if you complain. Luckily I found another job and was able to leave after a couple of months. 

Pathfinders was once a nice place to work at, however since COVID a lot of staff has left, which can make it extremely stressful and exhausting. They expect a lot from you (if you’re applying for an Enabler role). I.e being a carer/cleaning/nurses training etc and getting paid pittance with no gratitude. The patients & some of the staff are amazing, however it’s “if the face fits” I’m afraid. Management/nurses move goal posts I.e “you can’t do this / that.” But on other days it’s more than okay to do (can be dangerous in my eyes). The training is brilliant, but shouldn’t be mandatory, if the staff didn’t feel comfortable & certainly isn’t worth the pay in my opinion. I also feel that staff get blamed for a lot (mainly Enablers/PST). If something goes wrong 9X out of 10 it’s the Enablers/PST who get the backlash, which shouldn’t always be the case. I feel that Pathfinders has lost its “spirit” unfortunately. 

Understaffing is a problem. 
Just not enough staff to safely and effectively care for the complex residents.
Staff working 7am-730pm without the correct breaks, frequently working day after day with no days off. 
Rare days off consist of multiple messages begging for staff cover. 
Far too many ‘managers’.  If you dare to bring up concerns they will make life unpleasant for you.
Almost everyone is related to someone else who works there. Again this makes life difficult to raise concerns when colleagues are breaking the rules. 
I see adverts very regularly for Pathfinders. Before applying, ask yourself why they need to advertise for care staff repeatedly… because the conditions are so bad, no one stays. 

I have genuinely enjoyed working at Pathfinders care. One of the best things about the company is that they actually support you to grow in your role and develop your career whether you are in nursing, physio or other areas of healthcare. 

The team is friendly and approachable and I have always felt comfortable asking for support or advice when needed. It can be busy at times, but that is expected in healthcare and everyone pulls together to help each other out. 

I have learned a lot since being here and feel more confident in my skills because of the opportunities and support I have been given. It has been a positive place to work with good people around you. 

I work as part of a team throughout my shift i can be helping with different aspects of care I’m never afraid to ask for help from my understanding of my role I certainly don’t take things for granted from my personal opinion I find management to be firm honest and very fair I never been in a position we’re I’ve questioned myself or management about my work place I’ve been with pathfinders 16 year and I love my job and yes not all shifts are the same I take my job role very seriously but if I can go to work and make someone’s day with a smile or a giggle I have find working in care very rewarding 

I worked as a nurse in a specialist care home for people with brain injuries and other severe physical health conditions. I am a mental health nurse and so had no experience in general nursing. 
I felt that the level of training was poor and the responsibility of my making a mistake could potentially be fatal for the patient.  

A lot of 1/1. Basically sitting in a dark room while patient sleeps. No stimulation. Expected to train to a high standard and do a nurse job. Changing trache tubes, monitoring the airway. For the wage of a carer. Staff appear supportive while you complete shadow shifts but support ceases after that. The place is very clicky. All staff gossip about each other. The nurses I have seen have been the laziest I’ve encountered. Sit in their offices for hours on end, no support from them either. There are so many managers, I’m not entirely sure what they all do? I would not recommend. 

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Occupational therapist 2 salaries reported	£20.05 per hour
Physiotherapist 1 salary reported	£20.05 per hour
Nurse 2 salaries reported	£16.13 per hour
Registered nurse 2 salaries reported	£19.96 per hour
Speech therapist 2 salaries reported	£24.00 per hour

Working at Pathfinders Specialist and Complex Care: company overview and reviews

Pathfinders Specialist and Complex Care

Pathfinders Specialist and Complex Care ratings

Popular jobs at Pathfinders Specialist and Complex Care

Salary satisfaction

Jobseeker tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected