Willow Lodge is a large detached bungalow with four bedrooms and is based in Durham. Two bedrooms are located on the ground floor and a two en suite bedrooms on the first floor.
About Willow Lodge
Children's Home
It’s a specialist home that provides a service to support children and young people aged from 3 to 19 years old, of all genders who present with Physical, Learning, Dual and Complex Disabilities and Needs including Autism.
Willow Lodge provides support for settled care, shared care, short break care and in some circumstances Outreach. Two bedrooms are located off the main corridor and accessible by wheelchair users. Upstairs there are two bedrooms with en suite facilities. There are shared communal areas, including living/dining room, second sensory lounge and kitchen.
The home is fully staffed over a 24-hour period and operates a high staff ratio intended to facilitate the development of individual lifestyles and the promotion of appropriate roles and responsibilities – both within the home and the wider community. The home has a dedicated, experienced and suitably qualified staff team to support children and young people to live a fulfilling life.
Willow Lodge promotes a home from home ethos and incorporates all of the homely features that would be found in any family home. We provide spacious single occupancy bedrooms that can be personalised to meet any requirements. Young people are supported and encouraged to personalise their rooms. The living room is large and comfortable with views of the garden area and a second sensory lounge filled with sensory equipment and lighting to promote a calming environment for young people. The furniture is modern and there is use of television, DVD, and stereo amongst other things. Children are encouraged to participate in making drinks and light snacks and will be supported to develop/enhance their skills in this area. Meals are served in the dining area.
The home provides a completely individual, tailored approach to care. We work closely with families, NHS staff and other organisations involved in the care of each child as well as the young people themselves. We work together to set goals and provide the support and on-going care to help each child reach their full potential.
The Care Team
Willow Lodge has a manager and staff that we have selected for their qualities of reliability, integrity, skill, friendliness and professionalism. They are carefully screened and references are always checked thoroughly. During induction all staff are trained in-house by experienced qualified senior staff in the following critical subjects:
Care code of conduct
Confidentiality
Food
Health and safety
The rights of service users
Read the Parent's Guide
Read the Statement of Purpose
Read the Young People's Guide
Elaine Proud
Business Development Manager
Elaine has vast experience in the care sector (both children and adults) that has given her invaluable skills with communication, leadership, crisis management, regulatory practices, care planning, budgeting, interpersonal skills and many more.
Elaine has held posts from RSW to Quality Director level and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the management team at Hennessy Group.
Qualifications:
TEAM TEACH positive restraint trainer.
Care Planning trainer
Person’s experience (dignity care)
Restorative Justice trainer
Moving and Handling Train the trainer
Level 3 Health and Social Care
QCF Level 5 Management (Health and Social Care)
Level 3 Award in Education and Training (PTLLS)
Bsc (Hons) Psychology Open University 2003
Social Work Potchefstroom University 1997
Certificate in Basic Counselling Bridge College 2000
Professional Qualification in Mental Health Teesside University 2006
Craig Cooper-Stevens
Marketing Manager
Craig has completed a BA HONs in Communication Arts in Media, before a short stint teaching English & Drama in a Secondary School. After a change of career, Craig has worked for the last 15 years in Health & Social Care. Both in the Public and Private Sector. These include Private Care, NHS and Private Ambulance Transportation Service.
His roles have varied starting in IT Administration, Marketing and Estates whilst qualifying as a PRINCE2 Project Manager. This offers Craig a breadth of experience across organisational departments.
Lauren Goundry
Financial Controller
Lauren has recently been promoted to Financial Controller and is currently undertaking her qualifications in finance.
Lauren is a finance professional who is striving to develop and relishes the challenges of working within the finance department.
Simon Duffy
Regional Manager
Simon has a wealth of previous children’s social care experience. Simon has previously achieved consecutive Outstanding Ofsted gradings for services he has been responsible for.
Operational Manager with over 20 years of experience working in care
Regular experience with regulators including: OFSTED, CQC and Local Commissioners
Operationally sound and managed senior operations of children’s services and regional operations oversight.
Qualifications:
Health and safety at work (2021)
EMSS national safety passport (2021)
Business assurance (2020)
Equality & Diversity (2020)
Leadership and management (2019)
Non Abusive psychological and physical intervention (Pillars) 2018
Safeguarding and safer caring (2018)
Reporting and recording (2018)
Administration of medication (2018)
Emergency first Aid (2018)
Trauma and attachment (2018)
Child sexual exploitation (2018)
Leadership and management excellence (2018)
Autism Awareness (2017)
Managing behaviour that challenges (2017)
Fire Awareness. (2016)
Level 5 Supervision and appraisal (2016)
Pace (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) Training (2016)
Drug and alcohol training (2015)
Level 5 safeguarding children (2015)
Non abusive psychological and physical intervention. (Pillars) (2015)
Self-harm training (2015)
Safe handling of medication. (2014)
Patty Barry
Registered Manager - Holly House
Patty has worked within children’s and adults services for ten years and have gained a wealth of experience and knowledge. Patty feels passionate about working within a children’s sector and thrive on gaining more experience and knowledge to pursue her goals . Patty has previously worked with CAMHS Forensics and within Adult Mental Health.
Aswell of supporting children and adults with autism Patty has also gained years of experience of supporting individuals who have developed trauma based diagnosis such as EUPD and PTSD. Patty has supported looked after children and those who are under child protection. Patty has been able to support staff to understand the impact this has had on a child’s development and behaviour. Through supporting individuals with autism and working closely with families Patty has learnt how to overcome communication barriers and carried out in-depth Positive Behavioural Support plans which include communication passports and interventions to help the individual progress and reduce behaviours of concern. Patty has explored many ways of supporting young people and teaching others how to reflect on an individuals circumstances and to remain approachable and show empathy to help build and form therapeutic relationships. Patty has gained significant knowledge based on safeguarding and protecting children and adults, supporting them to receive person centred support and excellent standard of care.
Qualifications:
Diploma of Higher Education in Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care for Children and Young people’s service
Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care
NVQ 3 Health and Social Care
NVQ 2 Health and Social Care
Natalie Bowey
Registered Manager - Beech Lodge
Natalie has worked in the car sector for a period of eighteen years with her most recent years in the role of Registered Manager across various children’s residential provisions.
She is a highly experienced and conscientious manager who utlises her knowledge to improve and sustain inspirational outcomes for children with child focused outcomes being at the heart of practice.
Natalie holds valuable experience in the management of relationships with regulators inclusive of Ofsted and hold a secure knowledge of regulatory and legislative outcomes leading to service development, outcomes for children, external relationships, wider community relationships and Ofsted grading outcomes. Aspirational outcomes and practice is the drive behind Natalie’s work in an environment where children can succeed in their potential and thrive.
Phillip Routledge
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Phillip is a qualified accountant with 30 years post qualification experience. The majority of this period has been spent in senior finance roles within the private sector.
Phillip is passionate about providing first class customer service and about working alongside and mentoring both finance and non-finance colleagues with the aim of increasing financial knowledge and understanding.
Qualifications
Fellow Chartered and Certified Accountant (FCCA)
BA (Hons) Business Studies
Amy Bruce
Acting Registered Manager - Aspen House
I have a wealth of experience as a social care professional, working with children ages 5-11 years based in the classroom as well as in social care. I have worked alongside social services, providing art groups, and working with children who are in foster care.
I have worked in Childrens Residential care for the last 5 years, and I am dedicated to the children and young people we support.
Qualifications:
NVQ 4 in Leadership and Management
NVQ Level 3 diploma in Health and social care
ABA programme (Applied behaviour analysis) 2017
Rebound therapy qualification since 2018
Safeguarding of children
Safeguarding of vulnerable adults
Awareness of child abuse and neglect training
Protecting children from child sexual exploitation training
Caring for vulnerable children training course
Volatile substance abuse training
CoSHH training
Fire training
Health and safety awareness training
Infection control
Level 3 administration of medication
Autism and Asperger’s awareness training
Challenging behaviour training
MAPPA
County lines
Restorative practices
Home Manager
Donna Grimes
Registered Manager - Willow Lodge
Donna has committed to over 21 years in the care industry, 10 of which have been spent in a management role in private services for ages 16+ supporting individuals with complex and challenging behaviours. During this time Donna set up a new resource centre and successfully managed two other units in order to bring them to a high standard. Donna then transitioned over to children’s services as part of the management team, supporting young people from the age of 8-18 with EBD and LD, from the areas of Gateshead, Stockton, Middlesbrough, and Darlington.
Qualifications:
NVQ level 2 and 3 in children’s and adult’s social care
NVQ level 4 in Leadership and Management
Level 2 Autism
Level 5 Leadership and Management Children’s Services
Level 3 Designated Safeguarding Officer
Alleysha Jones
Registered Manager - Rose Lodge
Alleysha has a lot of experience with children and young people with EBD LD needs. Alleysha has vast experience with working with LD young people in both equine and residential settings and has a qualification to teach YP through equine therapy. Alleysha has worked in residential settings supporting individual young people in solo placements to ensure the care and quality has been delivered to each individual child.
Qualifications:
First aid Qualification
MAPA Qualified
Level 3 in Children and Young people
Level 4 in Children and Young people
Level 5 In Leadership and Management – On going
Chris Goundry CMgr FCMI, FInstLM
Managing Director
Chris is a passionate and experienced MD with over 15 years’ experience of strategic management and supporting Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities, SEBD and Mental Health needs. Chris has held all roles within Children’s residential services and understands what is required to lead the organisation.
Chris is extremely passionate about the rights of children and young people from all walks of life, having helped support lots of young people with learning disabilities and SEBD needs to progress and move on into independence, or into adult services with vastly reduced support needs.
Chris has extensive experience and knowledge of working with Ofsted, children’s social care commissioning, planning applications, strategic planning and direction, growth, and marketing strategies.
Qualifications:
CMgr FCMI – Fellow at the Chartered Management Institute
FInstLM – Fellow at the Institute of Leadership and Management
Currently undertaking MBA Leadership at University of Lincoln International Business School
NVQ Care Level 3
QCF Level 5 in Leadership and Management
Level 2 Handling of Medications
Level 2 Autism Awareness
Diane Jones
Chief Executive Officer
Diane has been a dynamic force in the care sector for the past 27 years as both as a provider and a commissioner of services. She has spent the last 12 years of her career dedicated to working nationally as a Head of Specialist Childrens’ Service. Including setting up Transition Services, Supported Living Services and Specialist Adult Residential Services where necessary providing a full pathway for the young people.
Diane has a great passion for positive outcomes for children who may require bespoke residential support through her many years as both a front line support and also as a strategic Director of Childrens’ Services. Diane has developed an understanding and a knowledge base that is both inspiring and enlightening for children and younger people, and the management and support team she leads.
Diane has also been a Director of Specialist Adult Services as well as Supported Living, Domiciliary Care and Outreach.
Patrick Hennessy
Chairman
Patrick is a registered nurse, having qualified from Guys Hospital in London. He has worked for many years managing core and care services for vulnerable individuals in a residential setting, both locally and regionally. Patrick has successfully led a crisis management team working nationally.
Patrick undertook Business Administration studies at the University of Huddersfield and is a member of the Institute of Directors. In the last fifteen years Patrick has worked in the area of organisational leadership. His main focus is on organisational business development and strategy.
