Our Assessment and Placement Managers are here to help.
We understand that finding the right home with the right support is crucial to enable those we support to achieve outcome-focused goals towards independence and this is the key role of our Assessment and Placement Managers. We spoke with Senior Assessment and Placement Manager, Theresa Cook to find out more.
Theresa is the Senior APM for the East and works in partnership with the Operations team, and The Health and Wellbeing team to find suitable homes for individuals who require support. Her role involves working with local authorities, clinical commissioning teams and direct payment individuals. Relationship building is paramount as is having extensive knowledge of diagnosis and our portfolio of homes to ensure compatibility. Theresa said:
“I enjoy the diversity of my role, developing relationships and working with an individual from initial enquiry through to finding them a home they will be happy in. Working with professionals, families, schools/colleges and individuals – no two days are the same. I do enjoy working in securing the right funding for individuals we support to ensure that they have the correct amount of hours to achieve a fulfilled life”.
We asked Theresa about her career and how she started in the sector:
“ I started my career in care in early 1990. I initially worked in a school for individuals with autism before moving on to support work, specifically for adults with learning disabilities. From here I worked my way up to Senior Support Worker, Deputy Manager and then Registered Manager. I then became a Regional Manager, managing a number of homes in a particular area. I moved over to Assessment and Placements and worked here for a number of years before becoming Head of Referrals managing a team of six Referral Managers. I now manage a team of three individuals and an Administration Assistant for the Assessment and Placements Team”.
Theresa has had many notable achievements and successes throughout her career. For her helping those supported find the home that best suits them and their needs as well as seeing them grow and achieve their hopes and aspirations gives her enormous satisfaction. Theresa said:
“ I’m most proud of working with one individual who was served notice by another provider and was in crisis. I worked with this person, their family and the local authority team and found a home for them. This was a very successful and the individual has since moved into a Supported Living home, got married and has really achieved their individual goals”.
We asked Theresa about her hopes and aspirations for the future:
“My passion is supporting individuals with very complex needs to find the right placement with the right support and right outcomes. This gives me job satisfaction. I would like to work on new developments for complex individuals with autism who struggle to live in shared accommodation. I also have a passion for working with individuals with acquired brain injury and seeing them progress through their rehabilitation”.
Thank you to Theresa Cook and if you would like any more information, or are looking for a home please do contact our Referrals Team on: 03301 755 332 or email: referrals@achievetogether.co.uk
