Sara is an experienced children and families Social Worker, Social Care Professional, and Service Manager. Sara's career commenced in 1988 working in the youth offending, Residential childcare, and Statutory Social Work fields with 4 different local authorities. More latterly Sara moved to the independent residential and fostering sector where she has held roles including Registered Manager, Service Manager, Responsible Individual, and Fostering panel Chair. Aside from her social work and residential child care qualifications, Sara has trained in relationship-based therapeutic approaches for supporting children including DDP (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy) and Social Pedagogy. Sara developed and continues to support the delivery of Charis’ integrated care approach through training and management support.
Sara loves living by the sea and enjoys water sports and beach yoga as well as all things creative including cooking, art, and design.
i’m passionate about providing real homes for children and changing commonly held stereotypes of Childrens homes and the children living in them by countering institutional practice and stigma.
David started his early working life as a support worker in a children's home, before commencing on a career path in finance and business operations. David worked in retail and manufacturing for a period before transferring back into the social care field realising he wanted to be involved in something far more rewarding and meaningful. David has been involved in setting up several new children's homes, schools, and a fostering service, as well as providing operational, business support and management during his career.
David enjoys sports especially football and cycling, the outdoors, and can turn his hand to most things DIY, which can come in handy!
I'm passionate about delivering quality services that make a real difference to young people's lives - which in particular provide the relationships and opportunities which I recognise I was very fortunate to benefit from in my life.
Andrew commenced his career in social care in 1994 and is an experienced social care practitioner and manager having held roles including, Registered Manager, Head of Residential Services, and Regional Manager. He has worked for Local Authorities, Charities and most recently in the independent sector providing residential and education services for adults and children with disabilities and more latterly children with social emotional, and mental health needs. He was also Chair of an Independent Foster Panel for several years.
Andrew when not at Cherry Wood will most likely be found outdoors cycling on one of his many bikes. Andrew also has two dogs that are regular visitors to Cherry Wood that the children enjoy to take out for walks in the countryside with him.
I am really driven and motivated to make a difference to children directly. This role gives me a huge opportunity to provide children with the safety, security and space to recover from trauma. It is really exciting to see the children develop and move towards positive futures, as well as to work with our highly skilled team who help facilitate this.
SJ (as she likes to be known) is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist who has spent most of her professional life working with children and adolescents. She spent many years in the NHS, most recently in CAMHS, and worked for a long time in a specialist practice for adopted children and their families. In addition to working as Psychology Lead for a company with specialist schools and residential children's homes, SJ has her own practice, Commune Psychology. Her time at Commune is focused on providing consultancy and training in addition to therapeutic work.
SJ has worked as a consultant with Charis since 2023 providing a range of services including clinical consultation, assessment and training
SJ loves spending time with her family and friends, travelling, cooking and reading. She likes going to the gym and visiting galleries and is a keen amateur potter.
I chose to work with Charis because I was impressed by their dedication to providing a truly therapeutic setting in which children can begin to heal from the trauma they have experienced. It is an organisation that priorities the needs of the child above all. Since starting with Charis I have found the team to be motivated and engaged in thinking and working in a psychologically-informed way.
