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REFERRALS
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OUR SCHOOLS

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Phoenix Learning and Care provides independent special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) / additional learning needs (ALN) education across Key Stages 2, 3 and 4 to children with social emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties, autism and learning disabilities

Phoenix Learning and Care has educational schools spanning the South of England and South Wales based in Devon, Somerset, Newport, Berkshire and South Gloucestershire.
 
We recognise every pupil is individual and yet equal, and all our teams are committed to treating each child with inclusion, compassion and understanding. Phoenix Learning and Care provides a safe and encouraging learning environment where pupils can feel supported and encouraged to reach their full potential with access to educational and enrichment opportunities.
 
We also have a Further Education College with campuses in Devon, Cornwall and South Gloucestershire.

Winkleigh, England

42 places

Autism, SEMH, Specific Learning Difficulties

An independent co-educational day school in Devon which provides a supportive nurturing learning environment for pupils across Key Stage 2, 3 and 4 with Social, Emotional, Mental Health difficulties, Autism, and/or Specific Learning Difficulties.
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Warmley, England

25 places

Autism, SEMH, Specific Learning Difficulties

An independent, co-educational school in Warmley, South Gloucestershire providing day placements for children that benefit from a smaller nurturing bespoke environment. The school caters for children in Key Stage 2, 3 and 4 with Social, Emotional, Mental Health difficulties, Autism, and/or Specific Learning Difficulties.
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Newport, South Wales

23 places

Autism, Additional Learning Needs

An independent, co-educational day school in Newport, Wales providing day placements for children that benefit from a smaller nurturing bespoke environment. The school caters for children across Key Stage 2, 3 and 4 with Autism and associated Additional Learning Needs.
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North Petherton, England

16 places

Autism, SEMH, Specific Learning Difficulties

An independent co-educational day school in Somerset which provides a supportive nurturing learning environment for pupils across Key Stage 2, 3 and 4 with Social, Emotional, Mental Health difficulties, Autism, and/or Specific Learning Difficulties.
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Thatcham, England

35 places

Autism, Specific Learning Difficulties

An independent, co-educational day school in Thatcham, Berkshire providing day placements for children that benefit from a smaller bespoke nurturing environment. The school caters for children in key stage 2 and 3 with Autism and/or Specific Learning Difficulties.
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We also provide further education, click below for more information

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GET IN CONTACT

If you would like to find out more about Phoenix then please fill in the form below or contact

Referrals:
t. +44 (0)333 015 0 331
e. referrals@plcl.org.uk

General Enquiries:
t. +44 (0)330 135 8 135
e. hello@plcl.org.uk

Recruitment:
t. +44 (0)330 135 8 135
e. recruitment@plcl.org.uk

TEAM PORTAL

DATABRIDGE
TIMESHEETS
OFFICE 365
SharePoint
Employee ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SUE – Client Bridge
MYRUS
Team member Benefits
– Shopping Vouchers
Team member Benefits
– Healthcare Cashback
TEAM MEMBER WELLBEING

REFERRALS

Phoenix welcomes enquiries for placements in any of our services.

Please call us on 0333 015 0 331 or email referrals@plcl.org.uk

We will provide an initial response to all enquiries as soon as possible, advising the options available and indicative dates of admission.

The referrals team can discuss the local offer and where appropriate, put you in contact with the respective Registered Manager or Head Teacher to discuss the practical areas in greater detail.

The Young Person and/or Student are openly encouraged to visit along with parents, guardians or Social Workers to see if the placement is suitable.

Once the placement is confirmed, we work to ensure a smooth transition including the completion of required documentation.

Tracey Norman

Associate Counsellor

Bio Coming Soon…

Wanda Green

Head of Safeguarding & Quality
Wanda started with Phoenix in 2018 and joined our Group Leadership Team as Head of Safeguarding & Quality in 2024. Prior to this Wanda has been an Area Operations Manager in our Children’s Homes and subsequently the Lead Quality Manager in our Quality Team.

Wanda began working in Residential Childcare twenty-five years ago as a Residential Care Worker. During this time Wanda gained valuable experience within the sector progressing through to Senior Registered Manager, managing several Outstanding Children’s Homes.

Walks on North Devon beaches with the dog, time with friends and family, and enjoying the sun in foreign climates all bring pleasure to Wanda’s spare time.

François Delbaere

Chief Financial Officer
Having joined Phoenix in 2013, François has been supporting the Group’s strategic development, driving company value and leading financial governance through his responsibility for the Finance, Placements, and IT teams.

A fellow chartered accountant, he has had various senior financial roles with experiences in healthcare, financial services, transport, logistics and contact centres working alongside a range of customers including Local Authorities and the NHS. Prior to working in commerce, François qualified with Grant Thornton UK LLP and specialised in corporate finance supporting various transactions including mergers & acquisitions, due diligence reviews and turnaround work.

François has also held various not for profit and trustee roles over the years and currently acts as a Trustee for a local counselling service in Exeter and committee member of a local sports club. When he can be prized away from playing on his spreadsheets, his interests outside of work include cycling, kayaking, travelling and playing the ukelele (very badly).

Lyndy Quinn

Operations Director
Adult Services
Lyndy joined Phoenix in 2017 and took up the role of Head of Care Operations in 2018. She has been working in adult’s and children’s services for over 20 years in roles both within local authorities and the independent sector ranging from Support Worker through to senior roles across adult, childcare and educational settings.

Lyndy is a qualified social worker and holds a L6 diploma in Management in Health & Social Care. Lyndy has held roles within social services teams working with children and families.

Dean Fullalove

Head of IT
Dean joined Phoenix as the Head of IT in June 2023, coming from a long career spanning over 25 years in IT supporting roles.

Having supported a diverse mix of companies over the years including Solicitors, Estate agents, Charites and the Ministry of Device he understands the importance of having a robust reliable platform to serve the business needs and is enjoying the daily challenges in which his position brings.

In his spare time Dean enjoys cycling, kayaking, paddling boarding, and walking his very energetic dogs Parker & Penny. He also likes to get away whenever he can to his little Cornish bolt hole for R&R.

Beth Beynon

Operations Director
Children’s Homes
Having begun her career as a Support Worker before developing through a range of management positions across southern England and Wales, Beth joined Phoenix in 2018 as an Area Operations Manager. Beth has been a leading practitioner for Phoenix’s trauma informed therapeutic care model and has a passion for understanding how this impacts children in residential settings.

In 2024, Beth joined our Group Leadership Team as Operations Director for our Children’s Homes.

Beth has a background of working within residential schools and children’s residential homes supporting people with autism, severe learning disabilities and complex behavioural needs.

Beth has two children and is a keen runner, regularly entering competitions. When she’s not running, Beth enjoys Functional Fitness, music and travel.

NOMINATIONS

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EXTERNAL NOMINATIONS
Phoenix Team Member NOMINATIONS

Olivia Frear

Head of Finance

Olivia joined in September 2024 as Head of Finance and was attracted to Phoenix for its strong core values. Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2016, Olivia has a diverse range of experience from both practice and industry including education, technology, testing certification and telematics.

She is responsible for the overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Finance and Payroll Teams, ensuring that they partner with the wider Group to achieve financial success.

Outside of work Olivia loves spending time with her husband and daughters especially going on trips to Disney World.

James Marsh

People Director
James joined Phoenix in July 2023 as People Director and holds responsibility for our HR, Recruitment, Learning & Development, and Enagagement & Marketing teams.

Having worked in HR within Health and Social Care for over 18 years across both the private and not-for-profit sectors, James brings a wealth of experience to Phoenix. His previous roles include Head of HR at The Guinness Partnership, and Director of HR Operations at Pobl Group, supporting a range of services including care homes, supported living, domiciliary care, homeless hostels and support services for care leavers.

James is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management.

Outside of work, James enjoys walking and spending time on the family farm in Somerset.

Nick Willoughby

Head of Property
Nick joined Phoenix in 2004 as Maintenance Manager for our properties in South Devon.

In 2019, Nick become Head of Estates with responsibility for the entire Phoenix property portfolio and has been pivotal in shaping our own sector-leading in house property services team and ensuring adherence to legislative requirements. Reporting to the CEO, Nick liaises with approved contractors on new-build projects ensuring our teams have top quality facilities to provide education and care for the People we support.

In his spare time Nick like’s to spend time with family, socialising with friends, going on lots of holidays and the not so occasional 80’s weekend!

Dr Hannah Pittaway

Therapies Director
Consultant Counselling Psychologist

Hannah joined Phoenix 2018 at the formation of our Integrated Therapies Team and has been instrumental in its development.

Hannah completed her Psychology Degree in 2004 and her Doctorate in Counselling Psychology in 2012 at the University of the West of England. Hannah has worked therapeutically for over a decade with adults, children and young people and has extensive experience of working within mental health services and has worked in the NHS and private sector. Once qualified, Hannah worked as a Psychological Therapist for Somerset Partnership NHS Trust before moving on to work as Personality Disorder Locality Lead for Somerset Partnership NHS Trust.

Hannah works closely with our Education and Care teams to continually strive to improve the outcomes of the People we support and to be a trauma-informed organisation.

Ruth Coe

Associate Occupational Therapist

Bio Coming Soon…

Joanna Curry

Associate Educational Psychologist
I have worked as an educational psychologist since qualifying in both private and public sector organisations and have my own private practice.

I have experience of working with children, young people and adults in a wide variety of settings to support their learning, social, emotional and mental health needs.

Tom Russell

Assistant Psychologist
I have several years of experience across different volunteer roles in mental health support, in many cases working alongside neurodiversity. I have, most recently, worked in a sixth form college in two different roles: Firstly, as an academic mentor, and then as a member of the inclusive learning team.

My interests lie in how social events can impact mental health and how, by implementing a bio-psycho-social approach, effective and relevant interventions can be distilled, integrated and implemented in clinical settings. In my current role, I support the Head of Therapies by providing assessments, training, interventions and team support across different locations in South Wales, Somerset and Devon.

Sylvia Gray

Speech & Language Therapist
I am newly qualified with diverse experience working with neurodivergent individuals on clinical placement, as a volunteer, and as a teacher’s assistant. I am eager to begin neurodiversity-affirming practice and to learn from the perspectives and experiences of students and team members.

A special interest of mine is ensuring that those I support are equipped with the knowledge and skills to lead as full and as independent lives as possible. To be able to understand and advocate for their own communicational strengths and needs. I am a big advocate for clear communication and enjoy learning new and improved ways to support others to reach their communicational potential.

Megan Winfield

Assistant Psychologist
I have experience working with SEN children and young people within an educational setting as a teaching assistant. The children in our care mostly had a diagnosis of Autism, but other conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, learning difficulties, or general behavioural issues were also present. During my time as a TA, I also became a qualified Trauma Recovery Model (TRM) Practitioner, which focuses primarily on attachment and trauma in children. The model emphasises the importance of PACE. I was responsible for assessing any children who had experienced/were currently experiencing trauma.

Some things that interest me include in the aforementioned: attachment, trauma, and incorporating PACE to build trusting and open professional relationships with both the children and all employees within Phoenix.

My role is to support the Head of Therapies across all Phoenix services by providing assessments, training, interventions and team support.

Lucy Millership

Music Therapist
Since qualifying as a Music Therapist, I have had the pleasure of working with a wide variety of adults and young people. I am a client-led, psychodynamic therapist who uses music as the primary medium of communication in order to work on an individual’s goals. I believe at the heart of music therapy is a strong, trusting, therapeutic relationship between client and therapist, and put that at the forefront of all of my clinical work.

I have a special interest in attachment and trauma and how our early experiences inform our identity and how we experience the world, especially during the period of adolescence.

In my role at Phoenix, I facilitate one-to-one music therapy sessions, group music therapy sessions and provide the team with therapeutic support in working with young people. Through music, I support young people in exploring emotions, thoughts and inner feelings in a non-verbal, creative way within a contained safe space.

Jo Walker

Speech & Language Therapist
I have worked for over 20 years with young people in a variety of settings, primarily mainstream schools and resource bases for children with complex language and communication needs. I have specialised in language disorders including Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). I have always particularly enjoyed working with older children and teenagers and am now privileged to be working with young adults at Oakwood College.

I have a strong belief in a holistic, team approach with the young person at the centre. I am excited to be part of a progressive team with a focus on neurodiversity-affirming practise.

I am particularly interested in the relationship between communication needs, environmental factors and mental health. I hope that I can support young people to understand their communication strengths and needs, to develop their confidence, and to speak out for what they want and need.

Helen Mason

Occupational Therapist
With 22 years experience working within and alongside the NHS mainly specialising in Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Paediatrics, I am passionate about supporting young people and families to achieve the change they want to see, advocating for their needs and offering specialist assessment, therapy and guidance through person, family and community centred practice.

My clinical experience includes working with National Deaf CAMHS, Forensic CAMHS, Specialist CAMHS and community paediatrics. I have experience working in autism diagnosis as part of the reflective team and is Autism Diagnostic Inventory trained.

I am a NESTA awardee, winning a substantial funding award in 2007 for innovation in mental health and has taught stop frame animation to therapists, arts in health practitioner and Doctors internationally. I have a specialist interest in motivation and effort in therapy and creating optimum environments for therapeutic change. My current research is looking into working therapeutically in nature through our eight senses following winning a Elizabeth Casson Trust award to complete my study.

I am currently studying for an MSc in Advancing Clinical Practice at the University of Ulster. I also hold a Certificate in EMDR (1,2 & 3).

Emily Tudge

Art Therapist

I qualified and registered as an art psychotherapist in 2020 from Roehampton university. Prior to my training I completed a BA degree in Fine Art and a PGCE in Post Compulsory Education Specialising in the Arts. I have worked in multiple capacities with children and adults with learning disability, autism diagnosis, and mental illness, across schools, residential and community settings, and dyadically alongside family members.

An interest of mine, which was central to my final year research project, is the context of art therapy, specifically the environment, and its impact on the therapeutic process. Work on this project coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic which for myself and many practitioners, resulted in a move to online therapy and the absence of a physical therapy space altogether. Jo (drama therapist) has done an incredible job at creating a safe, accessible and therapeutic space for the people we support at Acorn School, and I’m keen to contribute to this.

Further to this, I have a particular interest in working systemically and wholeheartedly believe in the difference we can make to individuals if therapeutic progress is not made in isolation within an art therapy session, but embedded contextually across multiple aspects of a child’s life. The therapeutic model used by the Integrated Therapies Team at Phoenix promotes this way of working. I am really keen to build positive working relationships with team members at Acorn School to ensure a consistent and therapeutic approach for our students.

Outside of work, I run (I’ve got a place at London Marathon 2023 and will be running for MS society), go cold water swimming in the sea, and spend time with my young family. I love to bake, although I’ll often forget a vital ingredient, and I’m a big fan of a cuppa tea and a packet of custard creams.

Elise Livingstone

Associate Music Therapist
I am a HCPC registered music therapist who believes music can be transformational in achieving non-musical goals, such as non-verbal communication, exploring emotions, creating connections and building self confidence and esteem.

I take a trauma-informed, person centred, client lead approach and believe in the skills and qualities in every individual, meaning every session is different and goals are completely unique. Music can be a motivating way to express emotions, practice communication skills and build mind-body connections – moving hands, tapping feet, feeling hearts and thinking brains.

I work with individual children who have arrange of needs in the areas of complex trauma, attachment, neuro-diversity, autism spectrum conditions and ADHD, communication and learning disabilities, profound and multiple disabilities, mental health conditions, neurologic brain function and rehabilitation.

I have a real passion for working with people who have experienced childhood trauma and believe repairing and re-building relationships and internal/external connections can be integral to positive change – which is why I get everyone in the room involved with the music therapy session! I also love using music technology in the therapy room, integrating sensory-based interventions to meet a range of sensory needs.

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Phoenix Team Member

TEAM CHARTER

Our Team Charter is the set of core principles and values supporting our goal of Nurture Flourish Grow. The charter was defined by our own Team Members and goes to make the HEART of Phoenix. It informs how we operate and look after each other to make a difference.
Honesty
Mutual honesty is the cornerstone of any relationship we build with the people we support and work with
Empathy
We work to understand and empathise with all the individuals we support; it is important we show empathy and not sympathy
Aspiration
We assist all individuals aspire to achieve their goals and outcomes
Respect
We treat others in the same way we wish to be treated and to build shared respect
Teamwork
We strive to provide consistency in our approach through effective teamwork and to bring the best out of each other

Clare Le Roux

Associate Counsellor

I have worked at Phoenix for 11 years after originally training as a teacher in Further Education working with students ranging from 16-55 years with additional needs.

I have worked in variety of settings supporting clients with learning disabilities with their mental health well-being.

Louise Bradley

Clinical Lead
Senior Art Therapist

Since qualifying as an Art Therapist I have worked with both adults and young people. I am interested in how our backgrounds affect us in the present and how this comes out in the artwork we create.

I mainly focus on how art making can support people to understand and process their emotions and traumas in ways that cannot be expressed in words, or when the words cannot be found.

Some other interests that influence my practice are meditation and mindfulness, group dynamics and understanding trauma-informed organisations.

In my role at Phoenix I work alongside teams to provide therapeutically informed support as well as one-to-one and group Art Therapy sessions for young people.

Dr Ben Smith

Strategic & Clinical Lead
Consultant Clinical Psychologist

As a clinical psychologist I have worked with adults, children and young people from a very wide-range of backgrounds for over 20 years. My special interests are trauma, PTSD and psychosis and I am passionate about providing access for as many people as possible to psychological treatments that work.

My role in Phoenix is to provide strategic and clinical advice and guidance to the Integrated Therapies Team and advise the board of clinical and psychological advances.

Joanne Braker

Drama Therapist

I have worked for 20 years in a therapeutic capacity in special needs schools, adult mental health, CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health) and in private practice. I have a particular interest in Autistic spectrum disorders, ADHD and Trauma.

I draw on a range of theories and use metaphors, physical action, movement, and a wide spectrum of creative arts including art and music, to enable the client to make personal connections to the work and find an indirect way in to exploring and understanding the issues that they come with.

Jamie Maycock

Associate Psychotherapist

I have been working with in mental health for the past 15 years as a support worker and for the past 7 years as a Psychotherapist. I offer integrative therapy and believe in working with the client on an individual basis adapting the approach I use to be able to do this.

My special interests lie with working with people who have Autism. I am particularly interested in how people process information, trauma and attachment. I also work with obsessive compulsive disorder, using a range of CBT techniques.

Matt Agate

Art Therapist

For over a decade I have had the pleasure of working within the therapeutic and education sector with many incredible individuals, and since 2017 I have had the honour of being able to provide Art Therapy to those amazing people.

Art Therapy is a way in which our inner child, our mind and body come together to overcome barriers through the medium of creating images, sculptures and mess. It can help work with understanding ourselves, while visually telling a story that can be told and heard, without ever speaking a single word.

My role here at Phoenix is to work alongside the therapeutic team and provide empathetic evidence-based therapeutic support to those who need it.

Meg Dowling

Music Therapist

I am an HCPC registered Music Therapist who works within a person-centred and client-led approach, and where active music-making and improvisation are often the predominant therapeutic intervention methods. I have many years of experience providing personalised Music Therapy sessions in both mainstream and special schools and colleges, as well as in community settings.

In my role as a Music Therapist, I offer sessions with the aim of supporting the mental, physical and emotional health and well being of children and young people with complex additional support needs, such as communication and learning difficulties; sensory impairments; autism spectrum conditions; acquired brain injury; social, emotional and mental health difficulties; trauma and attachment disorders; profound and multiple learning difficulties; and life-limiting conditions.

Using music as the medium through which the therapeutic processes can be explored, allows those I work with to express their emotions and experiences in a creative, accessible, playful and relational way. The music itself provides a safe way of communicating, the therapeutic space offers a safe space in which to do so, and the secure therapeutic relationship allows all layers of the work to be shared, acknowledged, explored and processed.

Kamila Ciesluk

Music Therapist

I have several years of experience working therapeutically with children and young people in education and care. My interests are attachment and trauma, brain development, and organisational dynamics – I am keen to observe what happens in organisations and how it affects their members.

I believe that our inner workings often happen on a non-verbal level, and creative therapies offer individuals a chance to communicate and be understood without using words. I am passionate about exploring the use of voice, vocalizing and singing in music therapy, and the voices connection to the body and mind.

Dr Hannah Pittaway

Therapies Director
Consultant Counselling Psychologist

I have worked therapeutically for over a decade with adults, children and young people and I have extensive experience of working within mental health services.

I am proud to lead a forward thinking, diverse group of therapists whose work makes a difference to the people we support. An important part of my role is working closely with our Care and Education colleagues to continually strive to improve the outcomes of the people we support and to be a trauma-informed organisation.

My special interests are attachment and trauma. I’m very interested in how the attachments we have formed in our early life may shape our future relationships and mental health, and how later positive attachments can help us find the strength to overcome problems. This understanding informs the work I do with individuals and drives my passion to improve the lives of our children and adults through providing attachment and trauma informed therapeutic care. I am also very interested in working with teams and strongly believe that through investing in and supporting our teams who work daily with the people we support this is where we can create the most positive change for children and young adults.

Lola Rodgers

Assistant Psychologist

I have experience working with children who have experienced early developmental trauma or have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Conditions as both a teaching assistant and support worker. I have also worked as a support worker for adults with mental health difficulties living in a community based supported living service. I have received Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (level one) training and consequently have extensive experience using PACE.

I am particularly interested in the value of attachment and trauma informed residential services and schools and finding ways to integrate the PACE approach into a way of being with children and young people. My role is to support the Head of Therapies across all Phoenix services by providing assessments, training, interventions and team support.

Bee Ibarreta

Clinical Lead
Senior Psychologist

I have worked for over 10 years with children and adults with mental health needs, learning disabilities and Autism.

I am passionate about improving the lives of children and young people with mental health issues and further to this, in supporting teams to develop a healthy environment for the children and young people in the homes, schools and colleges.

I have a special interest in Autism. I have trained in ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) and have conducted Autism Assessments in the past. I also have an interest in trauma and how its effects can change with the right support. I believe in the benefits of teamwork and multidisciplinary approaches to offer a holistic response to the children’s needs.

My role within Phoenix involves working alongside teams providing therapeutically informed support, offering one-to-one therapy for children and young people in the homes and Education settings, conducting psychological assessments and delivering training in relevant psychological presentations and approaches.

Rosie Dove

Speech & Language Therapist

I have over 10 years’ experience working with children and adults with a variety of communication strengths and needs in a range of settings, including a secure forensic hospital and specialist school settings.

My special interests include the link between communication difficulties and their impact on mental health. I enjoy learning new approaches and developing my practice and skillset to better support positive changes for children and adults.

Gayle Strawson

Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

I enjoy providing a mixture of direct and indirect Speech and Language Therapy services for our students with a range of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). I am also a fully qualified dysphagia practitioner, offering specialist support in this area to settings across the organisation.

Since graduating as a Speech and Language Therapist, I have worked with children and young adults with speech and language needs in a variety of mainstream and special education settings and in neuro rehabilitation settings with children and adults with acquired brain injuries.

My special interests include neurodevelopmental conditions, e.g. ADHD and Tourette’s Syndrome, Alterative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) and Selective Mutism.

Gemma Sharples

Speech & Language Therapy Assistant

Prior to starting with Phoenix Learning and Care Group I worked in a variety of health & social care settings, including on a variety of acute wards. I joined Oakwood Specialist College, Dawlish as a Learning Support Assistant in September 2017.

After a year of supporting with therapy sessions, I joined the Integrated Therapies Team as the SLT Assistant.

I have special interests in Autism Spectrum Conditions and Relationships and Sex Education. In 2021 Kate and I were extremely proud to receive the Sex Education Forum’s, Educator of the Year for Innovation Award.

May Lam

Speech & Language Therapist

I am a neurodivergent Speech and Language Therapist. I have worked for over 7 years with children and young people with complex needs, including hearing loss, learning disabilities, attachment and trauma, and speech, language, and communication needs. Prior to becoming a Speech and Language Therapist, I worked as an assistant at a preschool for Deaf children, and as a team lead running respite programs for disabled children and teenagers.

I am passionate about taking a holistic, intersectional approach to all areas of care, framed within a neurodiversity-affirming lens. I believe that everyone should have access to communication in whatever form is most comfortable to them and be in an environment that honours and supports that communication style.

My special interests include mental health, trauma and attachment, particularly the impact of systemic ableism on neurodivergent development and social, emotional, and mental health and wellbeing. Other interests include augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and multi-sensory impairments.

Kate Boot

Clinical Lead
Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist & Sensory Integration Practitioner
I am a dual qualified, autistic, ADHD clinician. I have worked for over 15 years with children, young people, and adults with a range of neurodivergent conditions, learning disabilities, sensory processing difficulties and speech, language, and communication needs.

I am proud to lead a team of allied health professionals who are evolving their practice to be trauma-informed and in line with the neurodiversity paradigm, including challenging ableist practices and adopting a strengths-based approach. We focus on self-advocacy, perspective taking, the Double Empathy Problem, environmental change and working with others to understand and honour neurodivergent communication styles. As a dual qualified clinician, I am privileged to be able to raise awareness of the role Speech and Language Therapists can play in Sensory Integration and Processing.

Alongside Gemma, I received the Sex Education Forum’s, Educators of the Year for Innovation Award (2021) for our innovative use of speech and language therapy within mental capacity and sex and relationships education. My special interests are autism spectrum conditions, mental capacity, relationships and sex education, trauma & attachment, including neurodivergent trauma, sensory processing (particularly interoception) and animal assisted therapy.

Gill Loftus

Clinical Lead
Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

I have over 10 years’ experience working with children, young people and adults with a range of communication strengths and needs in a range of education and care settings.

I have a passion for person-centred care, and I feel working in a supportive multi-disciplinary team enables the best outcomes for vulnerable individuals.

My special interests include Autism Spectrum Conditions, Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs and Selective Mutism.

As communication is a basic human right, I believe every child, young person and adult should have a voice and I thrive to support those individuals to reach their full communication potential.

Brochures

Introduction to Phoenix

We are delighted to be able to introduce Phoenix Learning and Care Group within this overview document.

Acorn School

PROSPECTUS

Petherton Park School

PROSPECTUS

Oakwood - Dawlish & Torpoint Campus

PROSPECTUS

Neptune School

PROSPECTUS

Ysgol Tŷ Monmouth

PROSPECTUS

The Grange School

PROSPECTUS

Oakwood - Yate Campus

PROSPECTUS

Anne Monnington

Head of People
Anne completed her Management Degree in 1997 and Post Graduate Diploma in 2001 at the University of South Wales. She has had a diverse and varied HR career, first at Scottish and Southern Energy in Wales, moving to London working in a number of high profile companies in interim HR Management roles, then moving to the charity sector with Leonard Cheshire Disability and penultimately Miele where she raised to Head of HR for 7 years, transforming the HR and people function. She joined Phoenix in January 2021 in the midst of the pandemic.

Anne is passionate about creating fantastic working environments putting people at the heart of the organisation. Specialist topics are employee engagement, equal pay and transparent pay policies and developing people. She loves travelling and experiencing new cultures.

Reporting to the Group Quality & Service Delivery Director, Anne holds responsibility for the management of people and employment matters including learning & development.

Darren Jackson

Operations Director
Education

Starting as a qualified Teacher working in a specialist school for those with profound and complex needs Darren joined Ludlow Healthcare Group and was instrumental in developing Wales’ first residential specialist college for those with Autistic spectrum conditions and behaviours that challenge.

Promoted to Ludlow Orbis Group Principal Darren held responsibility for two residential schools and a residential college. Darren was invited to take up the newly created position as Director for Educational Services taking the lead for all aspects of the educational services, including formal education, residential care and the day-to-day operations of clinical services. Prior to joining Phoenix Darren worked at the Cambian Group latterly as a College Principal spearheading a turnaround change programme.

Degree qualified in Autism, Darren raised awareness of specialist education amongst professionals and the general public. Presented with the Gold Wales Care Awards for ‘Promoting Services for Children and Young People’ in addition to the ‘Spirit of Care Award’, which is a prestigious award for the recognition of ‘Inspirational Leadership’.

Tom Massie

Chief Operating Officer
Tom joined Phoenix in 2017 as having focused his career within health and social care with roles ranging from Support Worker through to senior management.

With an early focus on projects and development, this quickly progressed to taking up operational responsibility for a portfolio of 10 services in South Wales. Following this Tom became Director for Community Living division for Shaw healthcare (one of the UK’s largest healthcare operators) with settings covering supported living, residential/nursing, extra care and home care spanning England, Wales and Scotland.

As Chief Operating Officer, Tom is responsible for leading organisational change and governance improvement across Phoenix’s Group operations encompassing our Schools, Further Education, Children’s Homes, and Adult Services divisions along with our central Quality, Therapies and People Services teams.

Tom holds a BSc (Hons) Economics and MSc Statistics and Management Science. He enjoys rugby, squash, and mountain biking along with travel and cooking.

Jon Pain

Chief Executive Officer
Jon has worked in diverse sectors during his career for trusted brands including AMP, TE Connectivity, ITV, Jaguar/Land Rover, Shaw healthcare and Royal Mail holding regional, national and global responsibilities.

With 7 years, overseeing a diverse spectrum of quality care delivery at Shaw healthcare including nursing and non-nursing services, principally as the Group Operations Director, Jon was asked to join Phoenix and was appointed Chief Executive in 2015 to drive the strategic direction of the Group, shape culture and spearhead the growth of new settings.

In his spare time, Jon serves in a variety of Trustee and Director roles in the re-creation and development of a world famous heritage steam railway based in the Exmoor National Park.
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CHILDREN’S SERVICES

Phoenix operate a broad portfolio of Children’s homes providing 52 week residential care for children and young people unable to live at home and for whom a foster family is currently unsuitable or an aspiration.

Our homes range in configuration including single occupancy, 2 bed, 3 bed and 4 bed services that are located across the South West of England and South Wales in both rural and urban environments. All our homes work to give individuals the chance to flourish with the key outcome of being to assist the child or young person with the crisis or issues currently faced whilst simultaneously helping them develop the skills and abilities they would need to move on either back to their parents, into foster care or into independent living.

All homes are supported with a therapeutic model and specific services have direct 1-1 bespoke therapy program linked to need.

Phoenix offer short term crisis stabilisation services for young people who have experienced significant placement disruption and maybe presenting high risk behaviours. During the 12 week maximum stay there is strong emphasis on creating structure and developing strategies for young people to cope towards moving to foster placement or into a registered children’s home.

ADULT SETTINGS

Phoenix Learning and Care Adult Supported Living and residential settings are located at the heart of the local community with facilities, activities and opportunities nearby to help people flourish and live independently.
A personalised support plan is configured based upon needs, priorities and aspirations which might include personal care, managing finances, finding education, work or exploring leisure activities. Phoenix Learning and Care Supported Living settings encourage independent living and facilitate people to live either on their own, live with others in shared accommodation or a mix of both by having a flat alongside others in one building. Our Supported Living and residential settings are located in South Devon around the Dawlish and Teignmouth areas.

Inspected and Rated by

27 Little Week - See the Report
Eldra Court - See the Report
No. 1 Hermosa Lodge - See the Report
St Agatha's Presbytery - See the Report
Veryan Close - See the Report

A GLITTERING OCCASION

The Phoenix HEART Awards is our annual event to recognise and honour the remarkable achievements of our Team Members in bringing our values of 
Nurture – Flourish – Grow to life.

The prestigious 2024 event, now in its 7th successful year, acknowledges the outstanding contribution of both individuals and teams across Phoenix for their commitment to creating exceptional experiences for those we support.

Click here to visit the main awards page

Phoenix’s Industry Leading
Employee Benefits

As soon as you join us:

Employee Assistance Programme

• 24 hour counselling for you and your family

Employee pension

• You pay 5%, Phoenix matches 3%
• Optional salary sacrifice

Blue Light Card (Applicable roles only)

• Wide range of high street & supermarket discounts
• Holidays deals or discounts
• Discount on family days out including theme parks

After 12 months employment:

Life Assurance

• 2x annual salary paid to upon the event of your death

Critical Health Cover

• 1x annual salary paid up front upon diagnosis

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Money back on a range of medical and wellbeing treatments including

• Dental – Accidental and injury
• Optical
• Diagnosis test and scans including CT, MRI and PET
• Complementary Therapies
• Alternative therapies including Reflexology, Reiki, Indian head massage, allergy testing

Private Health Insurance for managerial and selected roles only