registered nurse

unit manager

clinical nurse manager

occupational therapist

nurse

Exemplar Health Care

Coming to Lakeview i thought i would be able to settle in here and progress in my career. The interview was fine and the progress to get my DBS and start with my induction was pretty stress free. After the induction i went for my shadow shifts, which staff didnt want me to shadow them, i was put on 1:1 with a service user who didnt know me nor i knew them and this became stressful for the service user as well as myself. I questioned why i wasnt allowed to help out but staff simply said 'because your new'. This still went on with other new starters and resulted in staff being harmed on shift or simply walking out of shifts and not coming back. I questioned my wage to management simply because on the job advertised it said level 2 and 3 NVQ have advanced pay, which management said i would get pay back and to sort it for the future. A month later my wage still wasnt what they told me so i contancted HR for them to laugh and say she would ring me back. Which she never did, so i emailed them. Managing finance came in and spoke to me in a awful tone infront of a service user, which i was gob smacked. She asked for a meeting with me but never actually gave me one. At meal times the service users could order a choice out of two meals, each time the meals came up the service users were so disappointed. The food is very poor, these are grown individuals given child sized meals, the support workers would complain about the food yet it has never change, the support workers would get moaned at because the service user(s) are losing weight but yet the kitchen do not provide snacks for all meal types and with the food being so poor via the kitchen staff at meal times it isnt supprising why the service users are losing weight.
The cleaners would come and clean the units at half 8 in the morning and moan about not being able to do service users bedrooms because 'their too lazy and wont get up' dispite the service user being unwell or has had a rough sleep during the night. The outside black bins havent been emptied and neither had the yellow bins for at least a month an half. Bin bag full of rubbish have been stacked up so much the gates wouldnt open due to all the rubbish pressing against them. Management hadnt listened to staff complaining about the bins not being emptied the staff to put all the bin bags in a hired skip so they could take it away. I thought this is possibly the worse place I have even worked in, no person centered care in mind at all. Considering its not been open long its set itself up to fail. CQC still havent been to visit. Ghere are one or two members of staff at Lakeview with a serious bad attitude towards service users and staff members which isnt a very 'team leading' skill at all.

A Typical Day at Work:
A typical day at Rosesides Care Home is busy but very rewarding. Every shift starts with clear handovers and teamwork. The day involves supporting residents with their personal care, medication, meals, and activities while ensuring they feel safe, comfortable, and valued. The environment is positive, and there’s always good communication among staff. No two days are the same, which keeps the job interesting and meaningful.
What I Believe I Learned:
Working at Rosesides has taught me a lot about compassion, patience, and teamwork. I’ve gained valuable experience in person-centred care, communication with residents and families, and working as part of a professional care team. I’ve also learned how small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s day.
Management:
The management team is excellent — always supportive, approachable, and willing to listen. They provide clear guidance, regular feedback, and ongoing training opportunities. You can tell they genuinely care about both residents and staff, which creates a strong and positive atmosphere throughout the home.
Workplace Culture:
The workplace culture is friendly, respectful, and team-oriented. Everyone helps one another, and there’s a strong sense of unity among staff. The management promotes equality, respect, and open communication, which makes it a pleasant and motivating place to work. It truly feels like being part of a caring family.
The Hardest Part of the Job:
The most challenging part can be dealing with emotional moments, especially when residents are unwell or nearing the end of life. However, the support from colleagues and management makes those moments easier to cope with, and it’s comforting to know that we’re making a positive difference in their lives.
The Most Enjoyable Part of the Job:
The best part of the job is spending time with the residents — listening to their stories, seeing them smile, and knowing you’ve brightened their day. The appreciation and warmth from both residents and their families make all the hard work worthwhile. It’s a job that gives you a real sense of purpose and fulfilment.

I started 3 weeks as a care assistant. The shifts are 12 hours and very tiring. I recomend all staff to use all lunch breaks and to take plenty of food for your shift. 

All staff I have met at Otterburn have been realy friendley and have helped answer any questions I have had. As I'm very new to care. Most staff I have spoke to have future plans. To either move on to a new career in Exemplar or work else where.

Most staff have 1 hours lunch a day. Depending on the unit you are placed on. Some days you get 2 half hour breaks. Or 2 15 mins with an half hour break later on in the shift. Or you can have 4 15 min breaks depending.

I was first placed onto a 7 day internal training trainingThis for me was very informative and interesting. All staff are expected to go on this 7 day training program. 

After probation of 3 months from starting  and all going well you should be able to book on. Other internal curses depending on your job role. The is food hygene the is health and social care and many more options. 

Exemplar are an extraining provider so they love love love paper work everywhere. I do think this could be cut back with bringing the clocking in machine back in use. Having said this the training I have had so far has been very good.

Exemplar have a staff website for staff discounts on luxury shopping products. They have offers for gym memberships and other things too. Tho I'm still trying to find out how to set this up. 

The main thing is you work for the building not the unit. Every day the is a sheet(yes more paper 😂). This is your job to check where you are required. The will also be a sheet in a book/folder to sign. Some staff prefer set units but you have to go where you are needed. If you can't be flexable your not viable to them. 

Having worked on all 3 units I have gained a better experience as a new starter. You see a range of conditions and back storied of service users. Some are very upsetting. It Really brings it home how we become family to service users in their home. We never see a nursing home as a place to work tho the is work bits and bobs to fill out.

Honestly, I came into this job as a young un-experienced carer expecting the people I work with to be supportive of this fact and guide me in a suitable manor. This was quite the opposite of what they did to me when i worked at exemplar. Bullying in more than one of these homes is something that is done to ALL new people. I was made to feel like an outcast, as i had not worked in care before this made me nervous to actually work as i did not feel supported what so ever. Leading to anxiety attacks and depression. 

I wish I could say that the pay is worth the pain but it really isnt. The pay was absoloutley awful. I was once put on four day shifts, one day off, then four night shifts. They really take advantage of you as a person.

For anyone this job is hard enough, but for someone who was young it left me with no social life. I spend half my days off sleeping and going to the doctors as the stress had made my skin flare up. 

Management were extremely bullying, infact they were awful. Bullying IS NOT taken seriously in these homes. In fact they mock you and claim ''Its because you're new, they will get used to you''. That is NOT the point. Things like this should not happen anyway and i will most def be telling people NOT to apply to any job within exemplar.

You will be placed on a specific unit, however they will move you around to units you are not aware of, sometimes the unit will be full of new people and none of you know exactly what you are doing. This is dangerous and unprofessional. 

People who have been there a while get away with almost anything. Its pathetic.

Live your life and don't make yourself miserable by working here it really is not worth it. 

During my departure, they fined me 32.80 for my uniform, i was too small to fit into the trousers so i was charged that amount for two polo tops from primark. Disgusting !

Breaks were also awful, not enough time to even eat lunch within half an hour.

ALWAYS UNDERSTAFFED, so you are dong more work than what you are suppose to. Leaving to back pain and stress.

It was an enjoyable place to work when I started. Interview process was actually enjoyable, onboarding  went well, and training was manageable. Things have taken a turn quite recently. The workplace culture has become rather strange. Overly critical  and frankly shocking messages are sent out which often read as rather neurotic and quite unstable, harping on about trivial things such as water bottles, despite there being bigger issues at hand. This authoritarian leadership style with so much negative reinforcement and threats of job termination seems to be making things worse rather than improving staff morale.  HCA's I work with do not appear motivated, happy, or want to work here so it tends to make shifts feel much longer. I haven't experienced such obvious dismay from HCAs in my entire career. 
I predict further retention issues and I actually wouldn't recommend anyone to work here, which is sad as we only opened this year.
I have heard of clinically unsafe understaffing on night shifts lately which is disappointing. Again, I believe it to be a morale issue. 
I have discussed these issues with colleagues at length however would not feel comfortable speaking about it with others as I don't feel that those involved are not interested in changing.  I have suggested positive reinforcement such as providing more bins etc to deal with minor issues, but don't feel I've been listened to.
 I'm not ready to leave for financial reasons, and I don't job hop, however I wouldn't have applied had I known things would take this turn. Hardest part is the morale. 

A typical day at work consists of a handover from the previous shift, nurses are then  to do medication rounds for residents in the home. The teams consist of 1 nurse,1 senior and around 6 HCAs to support with the daily duties required for the patients. Tyne grange has 2 units and 2 apartments which total 22 residents. 
Since commencing at Tyne Grange i have learnt a lot about the company and their values. I am able to work along side some wonderful colleagues many of which have years of experience in the healthcare sector. 
I have been able to approach management when ever i have needed anything or had and questions and have been supported within my new job role. 
The home has a very diverse work force who are all very supportive with each other. 
The hardest part of my job was coming into it not knowing anyone and trying to get used to the difference in the work style. I have been supported within my role to ensure that i am comfortable in what i am doing. When i started Tyne Grange i was given a training package to complete in the work place that explained my role and how to do everything that was needed. I was given a number of shadow shift to ensure that i felt comfortable going onto the unit and fulfill my role comfortably.
The most enjoyable part of my job is being able to leave my shift knowing that i have made a difference with the residents. Been able to be part of the residents life and daily routine is a privilege that i am grateful to be a part of. I look forward to my career in Tyne Grange and cant wait for further progression within the company.

Accepted admin role, had 7 day induction that was totally irrelevant to my role. Had 1 day with a temp admin who had been winging it since she started and then I was on my own. Constant disruptions throughout the day which left little time to do targeted tasks. Received admin induction 9 weeks into the role. Office disorganised, noisy and the set up was ridiculous...sometimes there could be upwards of 6 to 7 people in the small office all having separate conversations when you are trying to work. Systems used were ancient with several versions of everything so you never knew what the latest version was. Some head office staff members were the rudest people I have ever had the displeasure to work with and it was well known within the business and accepted. Senior management were unrealistic and reactive adding more pressure on to already beleaguered staff. Nothing was ever completed in full before moving to the next task and this has led them to the position they are in now. Even the strongest administrator would struggle in this environment where service users are allowed to enter the offices regardless of situations or confidentiality, using loud abusive language whilst trying to take calls. Lack of structure and direction by management it's all about presentation not sorting out the underlying issues.

New home opened January and the energy from the start was bad but now it’s worse. I haven’t experience such obvious favouritism from management, nurses and senior. It’s been a massive eye opener since new management took over, on one occasion the home manager didn’t trust the nurse in charge and went through a senior to report back how a shift had been. I’ve never Witnessed such unprofessional behaviour. Staff are not supported and feel they can’t come to anyone to feedback when having a bad shift. Emails are not acknowledged, particularly when concerns are raised regarding continues problematic behaviour from certain members of staff, this is over looked due to obvious favouritism from management. A very uncomfortable atmosphere. Despite being told we have safe staffing levels with the challenging behaviour we have faced/facing its very unsafe. Service users left without meals as no chefs on shift. Staff are not motivated they cause more problems in the work place by not remaining professional and act like they’re in school rather than work, age plays a big part and I have put forward about a age limit should be considered when looking after vulnerable challenging patients, staff texting each other when working on opposite units planning who to where put where on allocations and what time to put people on breaks so they can have same breaks with their “friends”. I strongly feel some staff need training on professionalism and unfortunately this is not an establishment I would recommend. 

Not awful place to work. Most residents are great to work with, however some have frequent behaviours of concern... can be very difficult work if understaffed, which is regularly, but the support from more experienced HCAs and some nurses is invaluable. Management seems to change their mind about all sorts constantly, difficult to keep up, especially as they tend to be poor at communicating too. Management rarely listen to HCAs, we rely on the nurses to raise concerns. Pay was minimum wage but received modest pay rise recently - but still not great for the difficulty of the work. Break not paid, only 20 days holiday + bank holidays. High staff turnover, easy to see why. Staff morale was low and has only declined whilst I've been here. Other HCAs agree, you feel like a cog in a machine instead of valued as a person. Feels like company has noticed and is trying to improve, but very slowly and priority seems to be on presenting itself as good rather than actually running an efficient service. Worked here for 10 months, don't see myself staying for much longer. However, due to massive understaffing, lots of overtime available and very good job security. Would I recommend working here? Probably, but only for a while. Good experience working with residents, learning about how to treat/deal with different conditions, but not somewhere you want to stay.

I have been in the care sector 20+ years, I applied for a care job originally told I hadn't enough current care experience as had a few years doin other jobs fitting round my family commitments. Was hopeful I would be given chance to prove myself as I am also qualified as a senior carer with nvq 3. Was happy to start at bottom level again. I should of realised what they treat people like then, but I genuinely love care sector and making a difference to peoples lives, so applied to work within home to do another job role. The people who I was to work with seemed nice Down to earth and straight john bull. I was offered job Feb it took ages to sort references dba etc out. Head office recruitment were lovely and helpful. Managerial staff at home I was to work at were awful and really rude, I had to keep asking about how my  application was processed had my head bitten off and talked to like dirt. Final straw was when I had the home ring me and management accuse me of not doing various forms etc online or accepting my job etc via email, when I had . Told to find emails out and let them know and slammed phone down on me. This was last straw so I rang head office and told them I no longer wanted there job thank you as I wasn't willing to work with management who call me a liar and talk to/treat staff like dirt before I even start. Home staff however seemed lovely.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Registered nurse 2 salaries reported	£21.12 per hour
Unit manager 1 salary reported	£24.66 per hour
Clinical nurse manager 3 salaries reported	£48,881 per year
Occupational therapist 38 salaries reported	£37,764 per year
Nurse 4 salaries reported	£55,000 per year

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