Our staff team comprises a Registered Manager, Deputy Manager, Senior Support Workers, Support Workers, Cook, Cleaners, Administrator/Operations Assistant, Facilities Manager, Freelance Gardeners and Sessional Workers.
Staff are selected for experience, qualifications, relevant qualities and for their personal interest.
We provide a programme of on-going training and send staff on external training courses including specialist programmes.
High Oaks is accredited to accept Health and Social Care students from City College, Norwich.
Director: Bernadine Pritchett
It was in 2003 that my affair with High Oaks began when I purchased it from the previous owner. I loved that it was independent, peaceful and spacious with a beautiful big garden and it felt like a real home where people with mental health needs and learning disabilities were being supported rather than a clinical mental health unit.
I worked with the staff to build up the home’s reputation and their ability to successfully support residents with severe and complex mental health needs. Many improvements to the service and the building have been made over the years.
I am passionate about High Oaks and helping people on their life journey.
Home Manager: Jason Powdrill (registration pending)
Main Areas of Responsibility:
Responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day operations, including recruiting and managing staff teams and ensuring that the quality of the services provided meets national care standards.
Having worked in the care environments for nearly 20 years, I now find myself sharing my skills and experiences at High Oaks. I enjoy working in healthcare and having the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. This is something that I am really passionate about.
My career started in 2005 as a support worker at a residential home. After this I spent a short time as a support worker in a medium secure unit, before taking my skillset to community care and supervisory roles for a large company specialising in supported living packages for those with learning disabilities and autism.
I then moved on to leading private care packages with small teams of people which I really enjoyed, and it got me out and about all over the UK and Europe. Finally, my path brought me to High Oaks as deputy manager, my first experience working fully within mental health. I love that High Oaks offers people a safe home whether its short term or long term, in an environment that is calm and in a lovely location where people can be in the countryside.
Along this journey I have also been a certified instructor of non-violent crisis intervention, having trained over 100 people. I have learnt various skills including venepuncture and also gathered more qualifications including a Level 5 Leadership and Management in adult care alongside other healthcare related qualifications.
My hobbies include several sports, my favourite is disc golf! I love to learn new things, attending courses and gaining qualifications, most recently plastering and carpentry.
Deputy Manager: Rebecca Mandley (profile pending)
Specialist Workers / Therapists
We engage specialist workers/therapists providing input, both on and off-site, in subjects such as arts and crafts, singing and music, fitness, woodwork, reflexology.
See Activities & Therapies page for more details
