Our Team

I have worked in children’s services for almost 30 years. During that time I have worked for three North West Local Authorities and a number of charitable organisations both in front line work and in management roles.

I am passionate about providing quality services that actually improve the quality of disabled people’s lives.

I was appointed as the Chief Executive at Birtenshaw in July 2006. Back then the organisation had been in decline for a long time and was on the brink of closing down.

I am delighted that with the dedication and hard work of the team the organisation has grown in size by almost 300% over recent years: we have increased the number of sites we operate from and now support more children, young people and young adults that at any time in the organisation’s long history.  Of course, this means we have also created over 250 new jobs in the local area.

I have worked in children’s services since 1990.  As a qualified teacher, I enjoyed a successful 20 year career in challenging mainstream schools finishing as a senior pastoral deputy with a track record of sustained school improvement in 2010.  I then held senior management roles in three national organisations providing specialist care and education services to children and young people with Special Needs and Disability.

I joined Birtenshaw in 2013 as Director of Education, based in the school in Bolton. Since then my role has developed and I now have strategic and operational oversight of all of the organisation’s education and care services across children’s and adults’ services.

I am proud to be part of Birtenshaw’s Directorate Management Team, a role that provides me with an opportunity to lead a forward thinking and visionary team and develop services for disabled people which are truly person-centred and which lead to  demonstrable positive outcomes.

I have worked in the charitable/not for profit sector for the last 20 years. My key responsibility is leading and managing an effective finance function by maintaining strong financial management and effective financial controls.
I have responsibility for Birtenshaws resource and asset base, these being money, people, property and information technology. These need to be managed to ensure the priorities of Birtenshaw are appropriately resourced.

I have been working for Birtenshaw as Assistant Director – Education, since August 2018. My previous 25 years in education have allowed me to gain a wide variety of experiences and roles, for example, I spent the start of my teaching career in Warwickshire where I worked as a Head of Music in a secondary mainstream school and then after a couple of years in primary mainstream decided to move into the area of Special Education. My decision at this time was driven by my initial years as a parent of a disabled child; this has had the biggest and most significant impact on myself as an educator to date; my empathy and understanding towards other parents of disabled children and young people has strengthened ever since. Once in Special Education I never looked back and have since moved from being a teacher to an Assistant Headteacher and then more recently a Deputy Headteacher. I have worked in Special Education across Bury and Bolton and have met many parents and other professionals who work with the children, young people and adults at Birtenshaw. My role at Birtenshaw is an exciting new challenge where I feel I will be able to share and develop the skills that I have built so far within the field of SEN. It is an opportunity to work alongside many other like-minded and passionate people and to shape the future and provision for all the amazing children and young people at Birtenshaw.

I have previously cared for both my parents at the end of their lives and this has given me an invaluable insight into social care from a family perspective.

I have been employed by Birtenshaw since 2000, starting my career as a support worker before receiving a number of promotions, including Registered Manager. in 2015, I was appointed Head of Service: Care Services, overseeing Children and Adult Care Services.

Birtenshaw has enabled me to develop and expand my knowledge, passion and understanding regarding residential care which has led to my ability to provide empathetic and positive leadership strategies and support to ensure that the young people live life to the full.

I have worked in the Accountancy profession since 2011, with previous experience of working in Residential Childcare services since 2014. I joined Birtenshaw in November 2017 as Assistant Management Accountant and was promoted to Head of Service – Finance in January 2019. Working for Birtenshaw is a rewarding experience, being valued being part of a team and I feel as if I am able to make a difference.

Having worked as a Transport Manager for the British Army for 26 years, I have gained valuable and extensive knowledge of running and coordinating fleets of vehicles. Broadly, this includes managing and coordinating drivers and transport routes and planning the servicing and maintenance of  vehicles.

I enjoy a challenge and the variety that my role at Birtenshaw provides. There’s not one day the same which means my team and I have to work together to adapt to the evolving nature of the needs of our children and young adults. The transport team play an important part in ensuring our pupils can attend Birtenshaw enabling them to lead fulfilling educational lives.

Having previously run a busy off road driving company, Birtenshaw is an exciting new challenge which is rewarding in a number of different ways.

My background is Business Administration. I have achieved qualifications in Business Administration, Customer Service and NVQ Assessor. These qualifications were gained in previous employment. I have also gained Managerial Qualifications. I have been at Birtenshaw since August 2013, when I commenced employment as Assistant Administration Manager. The role has progressed and my job title is now Head of Service, Corporate Services. The role is very varied offering administrative support across the organisation and managing a team of Administration Assistants at Birtenshaw School Bolton and Birtenshaw College.

Prior to joining Birtenshaw in 2016, I enjoyed various Senior Management roles within the Retail Industry.  I gained vast experience in all aspects of people management and employee relations including employee development, recruitment, policies and procedures, to mention but a few.

Working for Birtenshaw has allowed me to carry on working with people and transfer my skills I have gained as a manager. I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to contribute to such an amazing organisation and look forward to being part of Birtenshaw’s exciting and rewarding future.

I continue to pursue personal career development opportunities and have recently completed a Level 5 Diploma in Human Resources Management.

I started at Birtenshaw in 2013 and after working as a Teacher and Deputy Head Teacher at Birtenshaw School, I was honoured to progress onto the role of Head of School in June 2017. Although I do miss being in the classroom and teaching pupils day to day, I now have the wonderful opportunity to spend time with all the pupils and staff who make Birtenshaw School the amazing school it is. I am passionate about providing a quality and engaging curriculum for pupils with a focus on developing independence and preparing pupils for adulthood. I feel privileged to work for an organisation with so much passion and dedication for improving the quality of life for children and young people with a disability.

I have had 26 years leadership and management experience in school settings and as a Programme Co-ordinator for the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. I consider myself to be community-facing and firmly believe that schools and colleges cannot improve educational engagement alone; they must be outward facing and develop sustainable partnerships and networks if they hope to make a real difference to aspiration, achievement and lifelong learning for all members of the community. I believe that Birtenshaw is such an organisation and I am proud to be part of the team. As a mother of a young person on the autistic spectrum, I am passionate about ensuring that learners at Birtenshaw College are supported to have a voice and to be fully involved in the choices they make as they prepare for adulthood. I am looking forward to my new role as Head Of Service for Birtenshaw College.

I am a passionate and experienced teacher employed by Birtenshaw since 2008. I was initially appointed as a teacher at Birtenshaw School. In 2014 I was directed to teach at Birtenshaw College as a Lead Educationalist. In September 2017 I was appointed as a Head of Service. During my time as Lead Educationalist and Head of Service I have developed a number of initiatives which include, work experience placements, horticulture studies, animal care, life skills and inclusive sport activities to enable students to reach their full potential both academically and vocationally.

Starting with Birtenshaw in 2002, I was a dinner lady and an evening support worker. Birtenshaw has supported me massively to develop my career. I have undergone continuous training and skills development allowing me to progress to the position of Registered Manager at Barley Brook Meadow Children’s Home, enabling me to have a greater impact in brightening the lives of the young people we support.

After a further development into the role of Deputy Services Manager, where I supported the Service Managers in overseeing all the Children’s Homes while continuing to manage Barley Brook Meadow Children’s Home. In early 2018 I have been promoted to Head of Service Children’s Care.

I have worked in Adult Sector since 2007, and have recently started at Birtenshaw as the Registered Manager of the Adult Supported Tenancies. In Dec 2018 I was promoted to Head of Service – Adult Services