A day in the life
Registered Service Manager
We asked Paul, one of our Registered Service Managers, to share what a typical day looks like – and what led him to join Wilderness Way.
No day is ever the same in my role, which is exactly what I love about my job. But it usually starts around 8:30am with a cup of tea and a catch-up with the team, checking in on the children and making sure the two homes I lead are running the way they should – calm, safe and centered around the young people.
Before joining Wilderness Way, I’d managed multi-occupancy homes and supported young people into independence. I loved the work, but I’d reached a point where there was no room left to grow, and I also wanted a new challenge. From my very first conversation with Naomi, I could sense that Wilderness Way was different. The supportive culture, the focus on development, and the genuine care for both staff and children made me feel like I had finally found a place where I could grow and make a real difference – and that’s exactly what I get to do every single day.
I often have development days with my team – coaching, mentoring, and supporting them to grow in their roles. During one of these was my first “this is why I’m here” moment – I had a chance to share my vision, set expectations, and begin building a culture rooted in CARE values, as Wilderness Way gave me the tools to develop my service and create a warm, accepting, passionate culture.
The backing we receive from Learning & Development and the Diplomas team is also fantastic. It allows me to focus on leading a high-quality service rather than carrying every responsibility alone.
The best part of having this support network is that I always have time to be present with the children – whether joining an education session, helping them work through challenges, or just being a familiar, trusted presence in the home. In the afternoons, I often meet with external agencies, review care plans, or plan new homes in the North East – which is really exciting, because I get to help build services from the ground up.
At the end of the day, I hand over to the evening team, finish any paperwork, and take a moment to reflect on the children’s progress and anything to improve the support.
Every day here reminds me why I joined Wilderness Way – they genuinely put children first, stopping the cycle for children who have experienced trauma and abuse. Of course, it can be challenging, but the support network I have and the investment in the team at every step gives us the chance to grow while making a real difference to children who deserve a chance to change their lives.