Member Article

New specialist care team for Northumberland homecare organisation

A homecare organisation in Northumberland has expanded its senior management team to lead and manage the delivery of its specialist care services.

Helping Hands Community Care, which provides care and support services to over 150 people across Northumberland, has appointed Sharon King as the new head of specialist care services, alongside Sandra Vitty, who has been appointed as branch manager.

The newly-appointed team, operating from the Cramlington branch office, will oversee the care and support for a range of complex needs, including: learning difficulties, post-traumatic brain injuries, challenging behaviours, children and family services, autism, mental health and supported living.

Both Sandra and Sharon have strong backgrounds within the healthcare sector, which includes overseeing or providing care services in challenging environments.

Sharon who is from Sunderland has over 20 years’ experience, largely in care management, having held roles as a support manager, registered manager and as a regional manager.

Sandra, from Dunston in Gateshead, has more than 10 years of experience, which comes primarily from working in private care home environments. She has held various positions in the sector, including care assistant, senior care team leader and various management roles – including deputy manager and registered manager.

Sharon King said: “I’m thrilled to have joined Helping Hands as it goes from strength to strength, rebranding, relocating, expanding its services and creating new jobs, as well as putting emphasis on staff training and development.

“Although my job is demanding, and definitely isn’t without its challenges, it’s a very rewarding role and its great to see the difference that our standards of care can bring to our service users.”

Sandra Vitty, manager of the specialist care services team, said: “Helping Hands has a 550 strong team of hard-working staff across the organisation, all with the same goal of providing the best standard of care possible for our service users.

“Managing the delivery of the specialist care services is a responsibility I take very seriously, as my role is key to helping individuals maintain a level of independence.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Helping Hands Community Care .