"I highly recommend the Lifeways Operational Leaders programme to Managers"

As a Registered Manager, Peter Seaton says he is privileged to support the people at Unity House and his team of staff.

Tell us about your career to date

I have enjoyed a wide and varied career spanning across several sectors, including retail in my younger years, music production, working in the chemical industry and the finance sector.

I have over 30 years’ experience working in senior strategic and operational management positions in NHS Commissioning, Local Government (Council) and as a management consultant. I have worked in health and social care for over 15 years in commissioning and as a Registered Manager.

Why and when did you join Lifeways?

I joined Lifeways in May 2025 to be part of an inspiring transformation journey to deliver exceptional care and enrich peoples’ lives. I find my Registered Manager role very satisfying, enjoyable and fulfilling. I am supported by an incredible team and positive working culture – Lifeways is a great place to work!

How has Lifeways supported you to develop your skills and career in care?

Lifeways have supported me with blended learning with a combination of on-the-job training, coaching and mentoring, extensive online training and leadership and management training off-site.

Lifeways have excellent training provision and a very supportive work culture!

Tell us about your experience of completing the Lifeways Operational Leaders programme

The programme provided the opportunity to reflect on and refresh my leadership and management training, skills and knowledge. I was also able to learn more about my leadership style through the Insights Discovery Personal Profile – this was a fun exercise and useful to better understand my strengths and areas for development.

Following the programme, an action-learning meeting was arranged to 'compare notes' with other Managers and discuss how we have successfully applied the new skills and knowledge gained from the programme.

I highly recommend the Lifeways Operational Leaders programme to Managers – both new and experienced to help hone leadership and management skills in a way that enjoyable and is aligned and consistent with our Lifeways CHOICE values.

What would you say to other people thinking about moving into social care?

Social care is a great sector to work in with plenty of variety, job fulfilment, good team work, innovation and exciting projects to be involved in. The career progression pathway coupled with high-quality training and development makes working at Lifeways a positive experience as an employer of choice.