A Manxwoman aged just 22 has become England’s youngest registered care home manager.

Jessica Pateman began her career working for Isle of Man Government and was based at Southlands in the south of the island.

She has now been registered by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as the youngest care home manager in England, having taken over responsibility for a large staff team and up to 115 residents at Elm Bank Care Home in Kettering, Northamptonshire.

Miss Pateman said: ‘It has been a challenging time to take on this role but I am pleased to have made sure our Covid testing and vaccination programmes are in place for residents, staff and family visitors. I am delighted that most Elm Bank staff and residents have received a vaccination already.’

Speaking from the home, she said she keeps in regular touch with her family in the island including her father John and mother Lisa who live in Port St Mary. She also has two brothers living in the island called Toby and Christopher.

The last time she was in the island was last February and she looks forward to the day when she can return to see her friends and family.

She was born in the island in Douglas but moved at an early age to live in Cyprus.

She eventually returned to the island when she was about 18 and embarked on a career in care at Southlands.

Her time at Southlands gave her invaluable training and experience, she said.

‘When I began working in the care sector I got an incredible sense of satisfaction from caring for people with support needs, and it is my way of contributing to the local community.’

A spokesman for Barchester Healthcare said: ‘She is an inspirational and hard-working young woman, with a focus on delivering a high quality care service, in a safe environment, with a life-enriching environment and activities for elderly residents, who have care and dementia support needs.’