Our staff team has vast experience in caring for, safeguarding and creating Positive Outcomes for the children and young people living in our residential care homes. We provide a highly trained, skilled staff team that has the knowledge and dedication to work with children and young people from the most severe backgrounds, to help them create their own best possible outcomes and achieve their dreams.
Senior Management Team
Natalie Waterhouse
DIRECTOR / RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL
Natalie is a knowledgeable professional, holding 13 years of industry experience. She started her career working with children with emotional and behavioural difficulties in the residential setting, progressing over time to opening a new home as the registered manager. Natalie has spent the last 9 years as senior manager supporting managers to provide homes which deliver the best possible care and outcome opportunities to young people. Alongside this, holding a development role, identifying, and opening new services which she continues to do within her role at New Horizons.
Natalie is a supportive leader to employees working within the company and takes great pleasure in being part of their future development, seeing staff map out their career goals and achieve their full potential. She creates a culture of high aspiration and positivity and instills high expectations of all teams to change and improve the lives of the children they are responsible for.
Natalie is particularly passionate of the high-quality care and support to be provided to our young people and believes that our young people deserve the very best. She shows a determined attitude, which added to her solution focused leadership style creates an environment which promotes confidence and ambition for our young people and their futures.
Natalie has her L5 in leadership and management.
Management Team
Ami Ashworth
SENIOR AREA MANAGER – RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL
Ami was a registered manager for 4 years who she led her team to achieve 3 “Outstanding in all areas” for 3 consecutive years and has over 12 years of working with children in a residential setting.
Ami has a huge passion for progression for the young people we support, to give them new experiences and the chance to live in a home that has a home from home ethos.
Every child is worth 100% dedication from the staff team to help our children to move onto a very successful future. Ami enjoys coaching and mentoring the staff teams we have in place and also is very dedicated in investing in the teams, so they also have the chance to develop within the company.
Reece McClintock
AREA MANAGER – RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL
As a crisis manager, Reece turned around homes rated “Requires Improvement” or “Inadequate”, achieving Good or above ratings in subsequent inspections. He then opened a new service for his previous employer, retaining all staff and earning a Good rating in all areas during their inspection.
Before joining New Horizons, Reece managed two five-bedded services and later advanced to Area Manager. He also served as a governor of a residential school, overseeing behaviour and pupil engagement, contributing to an Outstanding rating from Ofsted. Additionally, Reece is a qualified Team Teach instructor with three years of experience.
Reece’s commitment to excellence and comprehensive experience make him a valuable asset to the New Horizons team.
Nia Jones
AREA MANAGER – RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL
Prior to this, Nia has worked in a number of OFSTED registered provisions, whilst gaining a degree and masters in Psychology, she has accumulated extensive experience and skills that equip her to support and encourage all young people in her care to reach their full potential. Nia is highly motivated and passionate professional priding herself in providing person-centred care, with a passion for developing and progressing staff.
Nia has gained experience in; ASD, emotional and behaviour difficulties, trauma, mental health and learning and physical disabilities, working with some of the highest risk and vulnerable children and young people.
I thoroughly enjoy my role as every day is very different. I get great job satisfaction out of gaining fantastic outcomes for those who are most in need and strive to empower young people in all aspects of their life, whilst also developing and progressing staff to upskill and focus on their own career paths.
Rachael Crook
AREA MANAGER – RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL
She has also served as an Independent Reviewing Officer for children looked after and those in need of protection. Before joining us, Rachael worked as a Social Care Regulatory Inspector at Ofsted, ensuring children’s homes were safe and compliant.
Rachael is highly motivated and passionate about achieving the best possible outcomes for the children we support.
Hayley Thistlethwaite
OFFICE MANAGER
In 2016 she was given the opportunity to work as the office manager for an expanding residential care and education provider who specialise in supporting children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, as well as autism and learning disabilities. Hayley supported in all areas covering from business development, HR to training and health & safety etc.
Hayley has qualifications in health and social care, leadership in management and Health & safety. What Hayley loves about her job is supporting and progressing our staff to deliver quality care and support for our young people. Hayley says, “It’s always brilliant to employ a residential support worker and see them progress and get promoted”.
Louise Ryan
FINANCIAL CONTROLLER
Louise has a wealth of business knowledge including extensive financial experience having held senior managerial roles across all aspects of the finance sector for over 35 years.
Louise will be responsible for the finance and accounting functions at New Horizons (NW) and be an integral part of the strategic outlook of the company.
Louise enjoys spending time with her family and friends especially when it involves eating out, holidays or even simple walks in the local countryside with her pet dog, Bleu.
Dave Game
GROUP FACILITIES MANAGER
Dave comes from a service industry background and has spent more than 35 years in the sector, holding numerous roles across multiple trades. He has a strong focus on the electrical and fire safety industry, with a focus on project management and service and maintenance roles.
Dave heads the maintenance team, providing support for all our homes, and oversees project management for the development of our new homes as we expand the business. With a strong focus on high standards, Dave brings an excellent level of professionalism and expertise to New Horizons.
Dave enjoys spending time with his family and his grandchildren certainly keep him on his toes, an avid football fan and a keen golfer.
Leigh Luxton
REFERRALS & PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER
During her time caring for children, Leigh has gained experience in emotional & behaviour difficulties, Autism, trauma, mental health and learning disabilities, looking after some of the most vulnerable children and young people.
Leigh’s role as Referrals & Partnerships Manager involves receiving/processing referrals, co-ordinating assessments, preparing reports along with dealing and forging excellent relationships with local authority commissioning teams. To support the growth of the business, Leigh will also oversee our on-line presence, developing our website and social media platforms. This enables the business to recognise excellence within our organisation, not only for our young people, but for both internal and potential employees.
Leigh has obtained qualifications in Level 3 Childcare, Level 5 Leadership & Management, Level 3 Health & Safety and a BA Hons Degree in Media Studies.
Office Support
Gina Watts
FINANCE SUPPORT
Gina says: “in my role I provide support to the financial controller in all aspects of accounting, for the homes. It’s a varied role day to day, which I enjoy and have a good rapport with all the management and directors. I’m looking forward to the future and the expansion of New Horizons.”
Gina enjoys time with her family, holidays (keen campers) and walking their dogs on the beach.
Victoria Lucas
RECEPTIONIST
In her role as a Receptionist, she provides support to The Ofiice Manager, it is a varied role, and every day is different, which she enjoys very much, and looks forward to being part of New Horizons expansion.
Victoria enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, and also holidaying twice a year at her favourite destination of Barbados where she visits family.
Morgan Griffiths
RECRUITMENT
Although this role is completely new to me, I have thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it so far. It has provided me with the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone, learn new skills, and gain valuable experience in a different environment. One of the things I enjoy most is meeting new people and interacting with individuals from all walks of life. I find it rewarding to build positive relationships and create a welcoming and supportive experience for others.
I am naturally enthusiastic about learning and am always looking for opportunities to develop both personally and professionally. I enjoy taking on new challenges, adapting to new situations, and continuously expanding my knowledge and abilities. I am excited to continue growing in this role, contributing to the team, and building on the skills and experience I have gained so far. My favourite thing about the role is seeing the journey of our new starters and the passion they bring.
Alfie McClintock
OFFICE DOG
I love it when all the humans come in for a meeting at head office, I get lots of cuddles and especially the odd treat. My human Mum has a lady come to the office 3 times a week and I get to go out on a huge walk and run, Bleu comes along too to that, so the afternoon in the office I don’t really remember as I sleep through it, which is good for me as being a Beagle I am very inquisitive and want to see what’s going on.
Bleu
OFFICE DOG
I am a Bedlington Terrier and people find me fascinating because of my fabulous looks. No offence Dennis and Alfie! I too love it when the humans come for training or meetings, more cuddles and the odd treat!
My human Mum also sends me with Alfie for walks 3 times a week, which is great and I, like Alfie snooze the afternoon away. Its great and dream of all the cuddles I get from the children and young people when they come and visit us here at head office.
