Our Care Team
The management team includes a variety of professionals with an impressive range of experience and skills covering Care, Quality, Governance, Operations and Training and Development. All the Team are passionate about quality care – a resume of their experience is provided here along with a statement on what they believe regarding good quality care.
We are immensely proud to have been awarded the rating “Outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission for the second time. With few learning disability providers within Gloucestershire and Swindon with this accolade, the whole team continues to strive towards “doing everything well”.
Dr Jonathan Mawdesley-Thomas – BSc (Hons), MBBS – Medical Director
Jonathan is the founder of Saracen Care and Nominated Individual. He was a local GP for many years, including out of hours provision and continues to be GMC registered. His experience means we can provide care for high-dependency adults with complex medical needs. He liaises with primary and secondary care professionals – talking the same language – during assessment, treatment, monitoring and review to ensure timely and proactive care. Jonathan regularly visits services supporting and advising the staff team.
“Treat others as you, yourself, wish to be treated.”
Julia Everard BSc (Hons) – Managing Director
Julia is co-owner of Saracen Care, as well our Registered Manager. Julia has responsibility for the company’s regulatory and legislative compliance requirements as well as business growth and development. She has over 20 years of experience in consultancy, managing teams and major projects prior to joining the health and social care sector. As well as an honours degree; Julia has an Extended Level Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership (Level 7) from Gloucestershire College, for which she received the Outstanding Achievement award for her research project work entitled – “Training or Learning? – Effectiveness in the Care Sector”. In 2019, she completed the Quolux LEAD course, a Management and Leadership 10 month course for business owners, CEOs etc and was awarded “Highest Achieving Leader” by her business peers.
“Endeavour to understand the world from the perspective of the individual – put yourself in their shoes.”
Colin Beard – Care Director
Colin, our Care Director has an extensive track record of leading and developing services that have consistently been awarded the highest standard by the health and social care regulators. Colin’s role is to develop and expand on the provision of high quality supported living services provided by Saracen Care.
Colin has worked in the care sector since 2004, across residential homes, supported living services and substance misuse community based provision. Having achieved his Registered Manager’s Award in 2006 has supplemented this with a certificate in counselling and the Level 3 Award – Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector. These achievements have qualified him to deliver both training and continuous wellbeing support for staff enabling him to facilitate staff to deliver high quality person centred care.
Colin has supported people with a range of different needs, including the elderly, learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health conditions. He continues to enjoy spending time with people we support to ensure their views contribute to the organisation.
“I believe that compassion is the key to providing a truly person-centred service. It is imperative that the people we support are given every opportunity to progress and develop. No service provision should be the same, as one size definitely does not fit all.”
Claire Babbage – Quality Manager
Claire has worked in health and social care for over 20 years with a variety of different service user groups, including adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs. In her former role Claire was a longstanding Registered Manager of a residential service for adults with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities which achieved an overall outstanding with CQC. Claire achieved her Registered Managers Award in 2006 and has a Level 3 Award in Education and Training. Claire was previously a PBM trainer for eight years and subsequently believes in using evidence-based solutions for the prevention and management of complex challenging behaviours in people with learning disabilities.
“I am passionate about quality and ensuring that the individuals that we support receive the best possible service. I believe that we have a long-term commitment to providing personalised support which is meaningful to individuals, enabling them the opportunities to achieve the quality of life that they deserve.”
Emily Williams BSc (Hons), MSc – Business and Quality Manager
Emily is our Business & Quality Manager. She started her career in a direct support role and has previously been a Registered Manager of a service supporting people who display behaviours deemed as challenging. More latterly Emily has worked within a local authority and clinical commissioning group leading a variety of strategic programmes and ensuring high quality provision across the disability sector. Emily has led work recognised nationally as best practice and has a particular passion for people with a disability or mental health issue who are viewed as complex, believing that every behaviour has a purpose. She has a BSc in Management and Leadership of Health and Social Care Services, as well as a MSc in Psychiatry.
“I believe that everyone has a valuable contribution to make and our role is to support them to realise their potential- whether staff member or people we support. Each person has the right to feel safe and valued, with access to high quality, personalised support.”
Konstantin Petrov BSc (Hons), PGDip – Operations Manager
Konstantin has been working in the Health and Social Care sector since 2003. He has been responsible for overseeing a range of services for individuals with a range of mental health conditions and learning disabilities. Konstantin’s experience has included supported living provision and residential as well as complex clinical services, across a variety of care providers in the South West. Konstantin has Level 5 Award in Heath Care Management and also holds a BSc and Post Graduate Diploma in Criminology.
“I am very passionate about delivering person centred and outstanding care and always lead our teams by setting an example – be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
Rebecca Hopton – Care Manager, Gloucestershire
Becci has been with Saracen Care since 2014 and has an extensive career across health and social care which commenced in 2003. Becci has worked with children, adults and older people so brings with her a wealth of knowledge across the age groups. She has supported people with a range of different needs, including the elderly, learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health conditions.
Having worked in a leadership capacity at various times since 2005 Becci leads by example and her particular focus is to encourage independence and to ensure the people we support reach their best potential. Having previously worked as an activity co-ordinator Becci believes in enabling people we support to be valued members of the community through provision of personalised, high quality support.
Becci is able to train staff in a number of areas including manual handling, medication, PEG as well as being a Dementia Champion. Becci is currently undertaking her Level 5 in Health & Social Care.
“I am passionate about promoting independence, equality and providing person centred care and support, to enable individuals to achieve good outcomes and a good quality of life.”
Tracey Joslin – Care Manager, Gloucestershire
Tracey started her career working with older adults where she discovered her love for supporting people to live fulfilling lives. Tracey has worked with adults with disabilities, autism and mental health conditions since 2002 across supported living, domiciliary care and residential settings. Tracey has supported children in educational settings, and has experience of governance across a number of sectors.
Tracey is integral in the development of new services within Saracen Care and with vast experience in supporting people to be active members of their local communities, will often develop activity plans.
Tracey is qualified to deliver training in both Positive Behaviour Support and Positive Behaviour Management within Saracen Care. In addition to this Tracey has achieved an NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care, as well as various leadership qualifications
“I believe in using a range of approaches to support people in the community, I have a passion for creativity so often use that to come alongside people we support. Every person has unique strengths and abilities which we recognise and value at Saracen Care.”
Debbie Tartaglia – Care Manager, Gloucestershire (Children and Young People)
Debbie has previously worked as an award winning manager in an alternative sector, and moved into services supporting children with disabilities and SEN because she wanted to make a difference.
Whilst working in local authority Children and Young Peoples Services Debbie gained excellent experience across the age groups supporting individuals with mental health conditions, autism and learning disabilities. She has worked in various schools in Gloucestershire since 2006 developing as a behaviour specialist in an alternative provision school. She developed into a SEN role and worked with children in care who were at risk of losing their foster placements working alongside other Gloucestershire Schools and Agencies.
Since starting with Saracen Care at the beginning of 2018 Debbie has been instrumental in developing our CYP services. Debbie is our Designated Safeguarding Lead for CYP and is currently undertaking her Level 5 in Health & Social Care.
“I believe that a young person’s past does not have to define their future, young people in care need support in managing trauma to enable them to develop positive life experiences. By encouraging and developing their skills with education, social inclusion, financial and emotional support, these young people can be the best they can be.”
Emma Prowse – Care Manager, Swindon
Emma has a background in supporting adults with learning disabilities, physical needs and mental health conditions. She has worked in the sector since 2008 and has significant experience of managing various settings including residential homes, supported living and domiciliary care.
Emma also brings with her experience of children and young people within educational settings, particularly those with behaviours deemed as challenging. Having been a locality manager for a large national organisation Emma brings with her the ability to respond flexibly to people with a range of support needs and adapt her approach accordingly.
Emma has a Diploma Level 5 in Health and Social Care, Adults and Young Persons, and has gained an Award from the Institute of Leadership and Management Award in First Line Management. She has previously been a Registered Manager.
“I believe that everyone has the right to live the life that they choose and that, as a care provider, we should be supporting goals in the best way we can with the least restrictions to that individual. Everyday presents new opportunities and experiences. By empowering not just the people we support, but also the staff teams, I believe the best possible outcomes can be reached.”
Steve Johnson – Care Manager, Swindon
Steve has worked in the sector since 2003 and has supported adults and older people. Before working in social care Steve spent a period of time in the Royal Navy providing him with the opportunity to develop transferable skills and to understand the importance of routine and structure for some of the people we support.
Steve has supported people with learning and physical disabilities, autism and mental health diagnoses. In addition to this he has spent a number of years working with individuals who have complex clinical needs.
Having previously been an Assistant Area Manager for a care organisation Steve has an understanding of ensuring individuals receive high quality support despite them residing across a dispersed geographical area. Steve brings with him an enthusiasm for bringing out the full potential in both staff and people we support. Steve has a Level 3 in Health & Social Care.
“I feel passionate towards empowering the people we support to achieve their goals and lead lives that are full of happiness, fun and laughter.”
Sarah Rainey BSc (Hons) – Recruitment and HR Manager
Sarah is responsible for ensuring we have a full complement of high- quality staff. She ensures that all our recruitment process are not only in line with statutory guidance, but are built upon the principles of values based recruitment.
With 25 years’ experience as a Manager within the NHS Sarah brings with her an in-depth understanding of multi-disciplinary working and a commitment to high quality provision. Sarah has been with Saracen Care since 2015 and has worked in a number of roles so has a detailed understanding of all aspects of service delivery. Sarah has a BSc (Hons) in Health and Social Care, a CMI Award in Management and an ILM Level 3 Certificate in Leadership and Management.
“I feel passionate about ensuring the people we support have a staff team built around them which is personalised, effective and pro-active in order to ensure delivery of positive outcomes.”
Josh Isaac – Rota Manager
Josh is our rota manager working alongside and in conjunction with our care managers and rota planner. Josh has come from the catering industry, focussed on delivering high end, high volume hospitality and catering to the sports and events sector. Josh would oversee the operational delivery of these events, ranging from Premier League football to large scale music events including Take That and Lionel Richie. Josh passionately believes that, regardless of the service sector, planning for the right staff to be in the right place at the right time is the key to success.
Josh has a Level 3 award in Facilities Management.
“I believe that by investing in our staff, listening to them and giving them every opportunity to succeed allows them to deliver the outstanding care they provide day in, day out”.
Oliver Wilkin – Rota Planner
Olly supports the rota team and has a background of logistics planning in the events and foodservice industries. His experiences as a logistical planner in a time-critical environment has developed his abilities in the field and he is able to combine these skills with his interpersonal skills, to work to a high quality standard that works for the people we support and care team alike. Olly has a BA Hons in English Literature.
“I feel passionate about supporting not only the people that require care, but the team that provides that care. A team that works well together will give the best possible results”.
Toni Williams – Training and Development Manager
Toni qualified as a Health and Social Care Practitioner in 1996 and has over 15 years’ experience of working within the Mental Health Sector. Toni’s role at Saracen Care is to ensure that all staff have the opportunity to personally develop to their full potential and provide a service of excellence. Toni’s passion for quality care and dynamic approach to teaching helps ensure that Saracen Care has a confident, competent and motivated staff team.
Toni has attained a Level 3 Award in Education and Training from the National Star College.
“I believe a happy, well led; valued staff team will be effective, efficient and enthusiastic to deliver a service they are proud of.”
Julie Hall – Community Manager
Julie has worked in the care sector for over 20 years providing support and enablement for adults with learning difficulties, behaviours which may be challenging and complex needs. She has an HNC in Managing Health and Care services and completed Gloucestershire County Council’s new managers induction in 2016. Julie is one of the most long-standing members of Saracen Care and holds a vast knowledge of the people we support. As well as undertaking managerial tasks Julie continues to work directly with the people we support providing valuable insight to how support is delivered day to day, as well as leading by example through mentoring staff; and responding to issues and incidents as necessary.
“I feel very strongly about laying the foundations for a community built on equality, diversity and paving the way to the realisation of self-worth for all vulnerable adults.”
Max Buffin – Office Manager
Max has worked in the care sector since 1999, initially as an administrator for a domiciliary care company and then over the course of her career as an Office Manager and Finance Manager for supported living services. Max provides administrative and finance support to the Saracen Care Management Team.
“I believe in supporting staff to effectively carry out their roles within the company thus enabling the people we support to have fulfilling and independent lives.”
Chloe Blackmore – Service Planner
Chloe supports the planning and delivery of care and support hours, an expert in staff planning using our Staff Plan Rosta system. Chloe holds an NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care & Business Administration as well as a Level 3 in Customer Service. She has worked in Health and Social Care since 2006. Chloe regularly visits services and meets with staff, and continually liaises with Care Managers. This knowledge ensures that staffing requirements or changes are appropriate and responsive to need.