The national Children’s Homes Association has appointed a Berkshire residential childcare expert as director.
Rachel Redgwell, director of Amegreen Children’s Services based near Reading, will also be deputy chair of the board for the national membership body which represents the sector and is focused on quality and excellence in residential childcare services across England and Wales.
Already the Southeast regional lead, the role now includes sector expert consultancy and guidance for the UK alongside her work at Amegreen.
The CHA represents 1,800 children’s homes and their work to transform the lives of up to 10,000 children and young people in care.
With more than 25 years’ experience in children’s social care, Rachel has a passion for supporting, and being an advocate for all vulnerable and disadvantaged children.
She has acted as a consultant in parliamentary discussions, national research for children’s homes and further developed protocols to support and safeguard children in care.
Rachel is currently working closely with the Planning Inspectorate for England in supporting a better understanding of children’s homes and planning regulations to support a sufficiency need for England.
She said: “Nationally, there is a lack of suitable places in homes for vulnerable children, that meet their needs and allow them to stay close to their families. I’m proud to represent the Southeast, while contributing to national change in the sector.
“I’m passionate about helping CHA to ensure that the sufficiency needs of local authorities are met and most importantly the needs of every child or young person in their care.”
CEO of Children’s Homes Association, Dr Mark Kerr, said: “As the membership body for children’s residential care in England and Wales, our size and impact has increased significantly in recent years and Rachel has played a key role in our success. She brings significant experience and expertise to the organisation, which is invaluable to children’s homes across the country.
“Not only does Rachel pioneer innovative evidence-based practice in the sector, but her innate child focused values means she shares her work across the sector. She is key to our work to influence policy at government level and practice nationally.”
Based in Reading, Amegreen provides a community of small, bespoke children’s homes across rural West Berkshire and Hampshire for some of the most vulnerable children in society, all referred by the local authority.
Three of its homes recently achieved ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted awards. The organisation also has an Equine Assisted Learning Centre, forest provision and independent school.
For more information, see www.amegreencs.co.uk
