A day in the life. By Caley Somers, Head of Operations (South)
Caley Somers, Head of Operations (South)
When people ask me what a typical day looks like, I have to laugh. The truth is, there really is no such thing as a typical day.
I have been with the Wellgate family for just over three years. I started at MNP Care as Regional Manager in November 2022, which many of you know is part of Wellgate, before moving into my current role as Head of Operations for the South.
Before Wellgate, I was an Operations Manager at Sense, supporting people with complex disabilities. Earlier, I held locality management roles that taught me a lot about person-centred care. I have worked in this sector for a long time, and I am just as committed to it now as when I started.
How the day usually begins
Most mornings, I look over what the day should look like. By mid-morning, something has usually changed. It can be a staffing gap, a safeguarding update, or a manager needing help with a tough conversation. That is just part of leading in social care, and honestly, I would not change it. It keeps me alert and makes the work meaningful.
And sometimes, the day does not even wait until morning. There are times when my phone goes off at 4am because an alarm has been triggered at one of our services. In that moment, everything else stops. You have to be on hand straight away, ready to assess the situation, support the team on the ground, and make sure the right steps are taken quickly.
Those moments can be distressing for colleagues and, more importantly, frightening for the people in our care. Acting fast is not optional. In those situations, I want every team member to know that you're not alone. We work through the crisis together, making sure everyone feels supported and equipped to do what needs to be done.
Unplanned situations like that can completely reshape your plans for the rest of the day. Flexibility and adaptability are essential in this role. You learn to hold your plans loosely and stay focused on what matters most in the moment.
I look after several services across the South. On any day, I might visit a service, join a team meeting, review compliance documents, or spend time with colleagues on the floor.
The bit I love most is building relationships with our people.
That includes the colleagues I am lucky to lead each day, and the people we support. We're here to ensure everyone in our care feels safe and supported in living as independently as possible. It makes me very happy when I see this happening, or see a colleague go out of their way to brighten someone’s day.
I'm registered with the Care Quality Commission as the named responsible person for several of our locations. I do not take this lightly. I carry this responsibility with pride because it reflects the standard I expect of myself and the one I want all our services to uphold.
I will not pretend it is always easy. Managing several services across a large area means making quick decisions, sometimes without all the information. Some days are emotionally tough. The pressures of staffing, changing needs, and the complexity of our work can feel overwhelming at times.
But I have an amazing team. They show up every day with compassion and commitment. Helping them do their best is what motivates me every morning.
If you work in one of our South services, I want you to know how much I appreciate and value everything you do. I always look for opportunities to recognise colleagues, whether through a simple thank you, a monthly Shout Out, or taking a moment to share positive feedback in team meetings.
My door is always open. Whether you have an idea, a concern, or you just want to talk something through, please reach out.