David Slattery
Almorah Flat, Spyhill, Cobh
Summary
Starting my career in social care as a care support worker, I always had a strong belief in person-centered care and putting the service user and their needs at the center of what we do. I earned a name in Cheshire as a leader who understood compliance, change management, and the need for a strong team culture. Proving myself during my time there as a capable, dynamic, efficient, and effective leader. Within Praxis care my last role was a huge challenge, with the organisation taking over services built by families who were weary of changes, expenditure not in line with budgets, services not compliant, old buildings, historical issues with staffing, relationships etc. it was a huge undertaking, a massive learning curve but under my leadership these issues and challenges were steady and the services were now stable, compliant and growing.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Year out of work to support some life challenges
N/A
01.2025 - Current
- I made a difficult decision to leave my position at Praxis Care to address some personal challenges.
I focused on resolving these personal issues to ensure readiness for future employment.
I prioritised my personal well-being so as to now enable a successful return to a professional environment. This was a decision that I am glad I made, and I feel more than ready to return to work.
Head of Operations
Praxis care
11.2021 - 12.2024
- Oversaw management of multiple adult autistic services in Cork, including residential, respite, day, and outreach services.
- Audited services per organizational policies and regulatory guidelines from HIQA and New Directions.
- Supervised service managers, providing support for budget management and policy implementation.
- Developed and managed budgets for each service, addressing deficits and implementing cost-saving measures.
- Collaborated with stakeholders, including HSE, families, safeguarding bodies, internal departments, and MDTs, often having to navigate complex relationships with families.
- Facilitated transition of Cork Association for Autism to Praxis, supporting over 80 families and 100 staff through policy and structural changes.
- Supported opening of new day service by collaborating with HSE to identify buildings and establish layout and budget requirements.
- Managing and supporting facilities manager, ensuring properties are in line with current standards, strategic planning of upgrades, submitting business cases for funding, and identifying and reviewing potential properties for future services.
Service Manager Praxis Care
Praxis care
East Cork
11.2020 - 11.2021
- Managed/PIC large residential, a smaller one and a respite services for adults with Autism.
- Supported the transition of services from the old organization to Praxis Care through effective change management strategies.
- Safeguarding designated officer.
- Working with the Learning and Development Department to ensure all staff are trained in line with regulations and policy requirements.
- Training and coaching staff in the policies and documentation of the organizations, and rolling out the organizational requirements for two centers with 16 residents, 27 respite users, 10 vehicles, 10 buildings, and 80 staff.
- Working with and building relationships with funders, Praxis departments, families, staff, and other stakeholders.
Service Manager Waterford Cheshire
Cheshire Ireland
Waterfrod
09.2019 - 09.2020
- Managing (PIC) a residential designated centre for adults with disabilities.
- Ensured services systems, documentation and staff work practices were in line with regulation.
- Implemented changes to management structure and job roles.
- Supported/ coached team members to work in line with their job roles.
- Performance managed a number of staff.
- Supported the team, the service user and families through the challenges of COVID 19.
Service Manager Ardeen Cheshire
Cheshire Ireland
Shillelagh, Co Wicklow
11.2017 - 09.2019
- Managing a large congregetated setting with 100+ staff, 20 Service ursers, a nursing team, domestic team, Maintenance team, Administrators and management team.
- Implemented a work plan in line with the organisations national strategy.
- Implemented a zero tolerance culture in line with safeguarding, supporting an open culture for staff and service users.
- Created and implemented management audit system which was acknowledged and praised by HIQA.
Service Manager Donegal Cheshire
Cheshire Ireland
Letterkenny Co Donegal
01.2017 - 11.2017
- Managing a residential service for adults with disabilities. The service was in a crisis situation, with HIQA considering the removal of registration when I began this role.
- Implemented cultural changes, and improved safeguarding management and staff training.
- Developed internal action plans to address HIQA inspection findings and Cheshire audits.
- Supported completion of action items to enhance service quality and compliance.
- Transformed staff culture, fostering better relationships and boosting service user confidence.
- Service was found to be compliant and registered by HIQA within a number of months of me taking over the role of service manager.
Service Coordinator Limerick Cheshire
Cheshire Ireland
Newcastlewest Limerick
06.2016 - 01.2017
- Managed community service operations and staff team effectively.
- Oversaw roster management and training for residential and community services with 50+ staff members.
- Supported PIC and CNM to ensure compliance with regulations amid challenges and non-compliances.
- Coordinated community service initiatives to enhance program effectiveness.
Senior Support Worker
Cheshire Ireland
Waterford
03.2016 - 06.2016
- I returned to my previous role as Senior Support Worker in Waterford Cheshire.
Acting Service Manager Waterford Cheshire
Cheshire Ireland
Waterford
11.2015 - 03.2016
- Managed service operations during first HIQA inspection and critical relationship challenges between service users and staff.
Senior Support Worker Waterford Cheshire
Cheshire Ireland
Waterford
11.2014 - 11.2015
- Supported and managed staff to ensure effective service delivery.
- Developed care plans in collaboration with Service teams.
- Oversaw training and development programs for team members.
- Facilitated communication between staff and management to enhance operations. users and their families, managed the day to day running of the service.
Support Worker Waterford Cheshiree
Cheshire Ireland
Waterford
06.2006 - 11.2014
- Assisted service users, adults with disabilities, residing within residential facility with all aspects of daily living.
College work experience
WIT
Waterford
03.2005 - 06.2007
- During my time in college, I had three placements, each of which was for 12 weeks.
- Ard Doire, Sarsfield Court, Glanmire: High support residential unit for teenage boys.
- Sacred Heart Center, Waterford, School for Children with Profound Intellectual Disabilities. I stayed on as a paid relief SNA for a year.
- Waterford Cheshire, a residential service for adults with physical disabilities. I was employed there after my placement.
Other previous employment
Various
Varous
06.1995 - 06.2006
- 2004-2006 Roche's stores, Waterford.
- Summer 2004 - Tesco's Corstorphine, Edinburgh.
- 2001-2004 - FCI Manufacturer, Fermoy.
- 2000-2001 - Traveled in Australia, various part-time jobs.
- 1995-2000 Anderson Power Products, Fermoy.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Applied Social Care
Water Institute of Technolory
Waterford06-2008
Skills
- Budget management
- Regulatory compliance
- Service auditing
- Stakeholder collaboration
- Policy implementation
- Change management
- Team leadership
- Quality assurance
- Risk assessment
- Effective communication
- Conflict resolution
- Organizational development
- Staff training
- Decision making
- Organizational skills
Accomplishments
Awarded Future Leader 2019 at the Charities Institute of Ireland. Nominated by the CEO Cheshire Ireland.
Timeline
Year out of work to support some life challenges
N/A
01.2025 - Current
Head of Operations
Praxis care
11.2021 - 12.2024
Service Manager Praxis Care
Praxis care
11.2020 - 11.2021
Service Manager Waterford Cheshire
Cheshire Ireland
09.2019 - 09.2020
Service Manager Ardeen Cheshire
Cheshire Ireland
11.2017 - 09.2019
Service Manager Donegal Cheshire
Cheshire Ireland
01.2017 - 11.2017
Service Coordinator Limerick Cheshire
Cheshire Ireland
06.2016 - 01.2017
Senior Support Worker
Cheshire Ireland
03.2016 - 06.2016
Acting Service Manager Waterford Cheshire
Cheshire Ireland
11.2015 - 03.2016
Senior Support Worker Waterford Cheshire
Cheshire Ireland
11.2014 - 11.2015
Support Worker Waterford Cheshiree
Cheshire Ireland
06.2006 - 11.2014
College work experience
WIT
03.2005 - 06.2007
Other previous employment
Various
06.1995 - 06.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Applied Social Care
Water Institute of Technolory