YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE - Season 3, Episode 4 with Dr. Tom Matthew talking about your wellbeing when managing care staff in your home.
Release Date: 04/30/2026
YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE.
Welcome to this special mid-season update of Your Home. Their Workplace. As we reach the halfway point of another season, I wanted to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you. This podcast is now in its third year, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who continues to listen, share episodes, and support the conversations we're having. I know many of you are balancing work, family life, caring responsibilities, and the demands of employing care staff at home, so thank you for taking the time to join me each month. This season we've covered a wide range of important topics,...
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Cecily and Karen reunited after more than a year to discuss how an independent HR professional can help implement recent HR and employment law changes affecting families and small organisations employing care staff. Karen explained the value of independent HR support, describing it as a more personalised and practical alternative to HR advice services. The conversation covered the key essentials employers should have in place, including written contracts, right-to-work and DBS checks, accurate payroll and holiday records, and proper policies around areas such as health and safety, medication,...
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YOUR HOME, THEIR WORKPLACE - Season 3, Episode 4 with Dr. Tom Matthew talking about your wellbeing when managing care staff in your home In this episode, Cecily is joined by Tom Matthew, a former NHS GP, to explore emotional wellbeing and the challenges faced by families who become employers of care staff at home. They discuss the pressures of balancing caregiving with leadership, as well as managing various ‘departments’ such as occupational therapy, HR department, payroll, and more .Dr Matthew explains how emotional intelligence — particularly self-awareness and self-regulation...
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This March episode is being published earlier than normal because of some significant employment law changes. We encourage you, if you’ve not done so already, to talk to your HR provider to ensure that policies, procedures and practical management is in place. Managing people well is so important so that employment costs don’t spiral. In this episode, Cecily is joined by specialist employment solicitor and mediator Marc Jones to discuss the major employment law changes coming into force in 2026 and 2027 under the Employment Rights Act. Marc explains how these reforms will affect...
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Sarah Clayton founded Simple Stuff Works to provide practical equipment and training that supports postural care and prevents avoidable complications for people with limited mobility. In this episode, she shares how her background in education and research led her to build a role that didn’t previously exist. We explore how gravity affects body shape, comfort, and pressure risk — and why positioning must always be personalised. Sarah discusses the importance of collaboration between families, therapists, and care teams, using objective measures to guide decisions....
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In this episode, Cecily is joined by Dani, a specialist moving and handling practitioner, for an in-depth conversation on what moving and handling really involves — far beyond basic transfers. They explore the importance of comprehensive moving and handling assessments, why this work must be fully integrated into multidisciplinary team (MDT) care, and how collaboration between OTs, physios, carers, and specialists is essential for safety and dignity. The discussion dives into real-world challenges such as planning holidays for people with complex needs, including air travel, specialist...
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In this episode S2 E9 Cecily ends 2025 and looks forward to 2026. She gives a brief recap of the episodes over the past 18 months, invites you to catch up on any you’ve missed, and offers you a copy of her book, Employing Care Staff in Your Home. Cecily wishes you the best health and wellbeing in 2026, joy and sunshine in your life - these things that money can’t buy. Keep in touch with Cecily at cecilylalloo.com.
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In this episode, Cecily speaks with Debbie Holder, an occupational health expert with over 30 years of experience. They break down what occupational health is, how it differs from occupational therapy, and why it’s essential for anyone employing care staff at home. Debbie explains how Occupational Health supports both employers and employees, especially when health issues, sickness absence, or performance changes arise. In this episode of YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE learn about How occupational health supports situations like long-term sickness, repeated absence, stress, safety...
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In this episode, host Cecily Lalloo sits down with Janet Shreeve, Director of Shreeve Care Services, to explore the realities, challenges, and rewards of live-in care — a personalised alternative to care homes that helps people remain in the comfort of their own homes. In this episode of YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE learn about What live-in care means and how it differs from traditional care models. The benefits of staying at home for both clients and families. Overcoming common misconceptions and resistance around having a carer live in. How clients are matched with carers — and why...
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I met Kim, through my gym. We were partnered to do what’s called an Engine Race - I hadn’t heard the term till then! What stayed with me after our first meeting was the fact that Kim Farmer was caring for her older brother, and had been since she was a child. I knew that Kim would have experiences that I couldn’t imagine and also knew she would have stories to share with other siblings, with parents, and with care staff and other professionals. So, here we are in YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE. delving into those experiences. A ‘take home’ tip from Kim for those...
info_outlineYOUR HOME, THEIR WORKPLACE - Season 3, Episode 4 with Dr. Tom Matthew talking about your wellbeing when managing care staff in your home
In this episode, Cecily is joined by Tom Matthew, a former NHS GP, to explore emotional wellbeing and the challenges faced by families who become employers of care staff at home.
They discuss the pressures of balancing caregiving with leadership, as well as managing various ‘departments’ such as occupational therapy, HR department, payroll, and more .Dr Matthew explains how emotional intelligence — particularly self-awareness and self-regulation — can improve communication and decision-making. Tom shares practical tools for managing stress, staying calm in difficult situations, and creating space before reacting.
The conversation also highlights the importance of empathy, clear boundaries that are seen as positive, and aligning the family’s personal and professional values to build healthy working relationships. Tom introduces frameworks such as Transactional Analysis and the Drama Triangle, offering insight into more effective, respectful communication.
A valuable episode for anyone navigating caregiving, leadership, or emotionally demanding environments along with the difficult task of managing employees in the home.
To Contact Tom,
Find him on his website https://mbewellness.com/ or
Email drmathhew@mbewellness.com
Contact 07301574706 or
Linkedin www.linkedin.com//in/dr-matthew-4361b5b2
Contact Cecily, buy her book “Employing Care Staff in Your Home”, subscribe to her newsletter and listen to her podcast
Contact Cecily direct for a copy of her book.