Bio

Starting in care homes in the private sector and working up to a two-year stint as a social care inspector, before returning to senior management in local authority social service departments. I have thirty years’ experience working in health and social care. Prior to joining SCIE I was Chief Operating Officer at Alzheimer’s Society and before that I was the Director of Services at Scope. I have held a number of voluntary positions, including acting as a trustee for a small disability charity, giving my time as Side by Side volunteer and vice-chairing a board of school governors. I also chaired the NICE Collaborating Centre for Social Care’s Guidance Development Group for Hospital to Home Transitions. I am a big animal lover and, if I’m not hard at work, you’re likely to find me out riding one of my horses, feeding my ducks and chickens, fostering working puppies in training or chasing after the cats. I enjoy spending time with my children and family and love travelling. On top of everything else, I am currently studying for a BA Languages in Spanish and French. Having worked with people using social care services throughout my career, I have seen the difference good quality care and support can make, and also the very negative impact of poor quality care, experiencing this first-hand when my grandad died with dementia after a long and unnecessary stay in hospital. I am determined to make a difference for people who need services and support to lead the lives they choose. I’m very sorry but I don’t respond to marketing or sales messages.