Experience, Insight, and Commitment

With extensive experience across children’s residential care, I bring a blend of professional expertise and lived experience to my work. My approach is grounded in trauma-informed practice, Dyadic Developmental Parenting, and a deep commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.

I have successfully opened, led, and improved children’s homes supporting young people with complex needs, including Harmful Sexual Behaviour, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs. My leadership practice is shaped by a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks, including the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Working Together to Safeguard Children, and I maintain robust working relationships with Ofsted, local authorities, and safeguarding partners.

Across my roles - Residential Worker, Deputy Manager, Home Manager, and Consultant Responsible Individual, I have consistently focused on creating nurturing, stable environments where young people feel understood, safe, and valued. I have led teams, delivered training, managed investigations, overseen safeguarding practice, and driven continuous improvement in settings ranging from newly opened homes to long-established services.

I have also navigated the challenges of opening a new home from the ground up, ensuring full regulatory compliance, developing policy frameworks, managing budgets, and shaping culture and practice from day one.

As a Consultant, I now provide organisational oversight, coaching, regulatory guidance, and independent monitoring to support homes in delivering safe, high-quality care.

Knowledge and Expertise

• Regulatory frameworks: Children’s Homes Regulations 2015, Quality Standards, Working Together to Safeguard Children.

• Leadership, operational management, and organisational development.

• Policy and procedure development across all operational domains.

• Safeguarding leadership, managing allegations, and multi-agency working.

• Quality assurance, inspection readiness, and continuous improvement.

• Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP) and PACE-informed therapeutic care.

• Crisis management and stabilisation, with an emphasis on safety.

• Clear, analytical report writing and professional communication.

Lived Experience

My practice is strengthened by personal lived experience, which allows me to approach children’s residential care with empathy and authenticity. This perspective supports a relational style of working, ensuring that children’s experiences remain at the heart of every decision. My lived experience enhances my ability to understand the emotional landscapes within children’s homes and to support staff to respond with curiosity, compassion, and stability.