Woodlands House TEAM
Meet Jamie
Meet Kimberley
Meet Kimberley
House Manager
Jamie is the Registered Manager at Woodlands House, bringing professionalism, leadership, and a deeply compassionate approach to supporting young people. With experience across adult care, secure settings, and residential childcare, he’s skilled at helping individuals find stability, grow in confidence, and feel genuinely sup
House Manager
Jamie is the Registered Manager at Woodlands House, bringing professionalism, leadership, and a deeply compassionate approach to supporting young people. With experience across adult care, secure settings, and residential childcare, he’s skilled at helping individuals find stability, grow in confidence, and feel genuinely supported in environments shaped by trust and understanding.
Qualifications & Experience
- HNC in Social Care
- SVQ Level 4 in Social Services (Children & Young People)
- Child Protection (YCARE)
- Experience in complex needs & challenging behaviour
- Experience in secure units
- Residential Care Managerial experience
Jamie is passionate about creating safe, supportive, and empowering spaces where young people can thrive. He believes in leading with integrity, calmness, and kindness — helping young people to achieve growth, resilience, and reach their full potential. Alongside his professional career, Jamie served as an army reservist, an experience that strengthened his skills for the role. In his time outside work, he values family, fitness, and contributing to community and charity efforts.
Meet Kimberley
Meet Kimberley
Meet Kimberley
Assistant Manager
Kimberley brings a warm and steady presence to Woodlands House. With both practical experience and formal training, she supports young people with empathy, patience, and respect for each individual’s journey. Her background in working with vulnerable young people in challenging settings has given her valuable insight int
Assistant Manager
Kimberley brings a warm and steady presence to Woodlands House. With both practical experience and formal training, she supports young people with empathy, patience, and respect for each individual’s journey. Her background in working with vulnerable young people in challenging settings has given her valuable insight into the importance of creating safe, nurturing environments where children feel listened to, understood, and supported.
Qualifications & Experience
- BA(Hons) in Social Services & Education
- HNC in Counselling
- Level 8 in Addiction Counselling
- SCQF Personal Development Award
- Experience in secure units
- Child Protection (YCARE)
- SCM
Kimberley is passionate about supporting young people through some of the most challenging times in their lives. She believes every child deserves a safe, nurturing, and understanding environment where they feel valued and supported to grow in confidence and overcome barriers.
With a calm and compassionate approach, Kimberley provides consistent encouragement and guidance, helping young people build resilience, develop independence, and recognise their full potential. She is committed to creating positive relationships where every young person feels heard, respected, and empowered.
Residential Workers
Meet Taylor
Meet Kayleigh
Meet Kayleigh
Taylor brings a fun, positive energy to Woodlands House and believes that laughter really is the best medicine. With her bubbly personality and caring nature, she loves making others smile and helping young people feel comfortable, supported, and understood. Taylor is passionate about helping children and young people reach their full pot
Taylor brings a fun, positive energy to Woodlands House and believes that laughter really is the best medicine. With her bubbly personality and caring nature, she loves making others smile and helping young people feel comfortable, supported, and understood. Taylor is passionate about helping children and young people reach their full potential and is motivated by supporting others to live life to the fullest, build confidence, and feel valued every day.
Qualifications & Experience
- BA in Psychology
- HNC in Social Services
- SVQ Level 3
- ASSIST
- Fire Safety
- SCM
- Experience working in addictions
After studying Social Sciences, Taylor began working in care and quickly realised she had found the right career path. She enjoys building strong, trusting relationships with young people and takes pride in creating a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment where they can thrive.
Meet Kayleigh
Meet Kayleigh
Meet Kayleigh
Kayleigh brings a broad range of experience to her role, having worked across residential care, youth work, drug and alcohol services, education, additional support needs (ASN), and sport. With a solid foundation in therapeutic and relational practice, Kayleigh works closely with young people to build trust, break down barriers, and suppo
Kayleigh brings a broad range of experience to her role, having worked across residential care, youth work, drug and alcohol services, education, additional support needs (ASN), and sport. With a solid foundation in therapeutic and relational practice, Kayleigh works closely with young people to build trust, break down barriers, and support emotional growth. She is enthusiastic about creating an environment where every young person feels seen, heard, safe, and content.
Qualifications & Experience
- SVQ3 in Social Services
- Counselling Skills
- Trauma-Informed Practice (Level 1&2)
- Counselling Level 4
- Child Protection (YCARE)
- Assist Training
- Makaton
Kayleigh believes in planting seeds of confidence, resilience, and emotional intelligence—knowing that the work done today may continue to grow and have an influence in years to come.
Meet Michelle
Meet Kayleigh
Meet Michelle
Michelle brings over 30 years of experience supporting children and young people across residential care and other youth-focused settings. Known for her kind, calm, and softly spoken nature, she offers a deeply informed and thoughtful approach to care — grounded in decades of hands-on practice and professional insight.
Qualifications & Exp
Michelle brings over 30 years of experience supporting children and young people across residential care and other youth-focused settings. Known for her kind, calm, and softly spoken nature, she offers a deeply informed and thoughtful approach to care — grounded in decades of hands-on practice and professional insight.
Qualifications & Experience
- 30+ years working in residential childcare and youth services
- Extensive experience supporting vulnerable and care-experienced young people
- Skilled in developing holistic care plans in collaboration with social work and multi-agency teams
Michelle leads with quiet confidence and deep compassion. She believes in the power of consistent, empathetic relationships and is always focused on what’s best for the young people in her care. Whether she’s working one-on-one or behind the scenes, Michelle brings professionalism, care, and unwavering dedication to every part of her role.
Meet Lorraine
Meet Kayleigh
Meet Michelle
Lorraine brings a warm, empathetic presence to her role at Woodlands House, where she combines over 25 years of experience in education and the arts with a deep commitment to supporting young people in care. A graduate of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD), Lorraine has spent much of her career teaching and mentoring th
Lorraine brings a warm, empathetic presence to her role at Woodlands House, where she combines over 25 years of experience in education and the arts with a deep commitment to supporting young people in care. A graduate of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD), Lorraine has spent much of her career teaching and mentoring through theatre — a background that enriches her work with creativity, self-expression, and emotional insight.
Qualifications & Experience
- Graduate – RSAMD
- 25+ years' experience as a theatre educator and mentor
- First Aid
- Fire Training
- HNC/HND Theatre Arts
- De-escalation Training
Calm, confident, and deeply communicative, Lorraine builds strong, trust-based relationships with the young people she supports. She believes that real, lasting change begins with being seen, heard, and valued — and she works with emotional intelligence and genuine care to create safe, nurturing spaces where that is possible.
Meet Julie
Meet Alison
Meet Alison
Julie brings over 20 years of compassionate, hands-on experience supporting children, young people, and families across a wide range of settings. Calm, curious, and deeply committed, she has a natural ability to connect with young people and create safe, nurturing spaces.
Throughout her career, Julie has worked with some of the most vulner
Julie brings over 20 years of compassionate, hands-on experience supporting children, young people, and families across a wide range of settings. Calm, curious, and deeply committed, she has a natural ability to connect with young people and create safe, nurturing spaces.
Throughout her career, Julie has worked with some of the most vulnerable individuals, offering consistent, trauma-informed support tailored to each young person's unique needs. She has a strong interest in emotional wellbeing and family dynamics and is particularly skilled in working with those with additional support needs and challenging life experiences.
Qualifications & Experience
- BA in Psychology & Sociology
- SVQ Social Services
- Early Years / Child Development Training
- Therapeutic Family Interventions & Trauma Practices
- Child Protection (YCARE)
- Complex ASN
- First Aid
- ASIST
- SafeTALK
- Makaton
- Play Therapy
- Seasons for Growth
Julie takes pride in building meaningful relationships and putting young people at the centre of everything she does. Her practice is rooted in empathy, creativity, and a belief in each young person's potential to heal, grow, and thrive—no matter their starting point.
Meet Alison
Meet Alison
Meet Alison
Alison is new to care, but focuses on taking a caring and understanding approach when supporting children and young people within the service. She is currently studying to further develop her knowledge and experience, continually striving to provide the highest standard of care. Supporting young people has always been a passion of hers, a
Alison is new to care, but focuses on taking a caring and understanding approach when supporting children and young people within the service. She is currently studying to further develop her knowledge and experience, continually striving to provide the highest standard of care. Supporting young people has always been a passion of hers, and she is committed to ensuring that every child feels heard, valued, and empowered to have their voice represented.
She believes in building positive, trusting relationships with the young people she supports, creating an environment where they feel safe, respected, and encouraged to express themselves openly. Alison understands the importance of patience, consistency, and compassion in helping children develop confidence and emotional resilience, particularly during difficult or uncertain times.
Qualifications & Experience
- Working towards gaining relevant qualifications and experience.
Alison is passionate about making a lasting difference and takes pride in being a reliable and supportive role model. Her ongoing commitment to learning and professional development reflects her desire to continuously improve her practice and provide the best possible support to every child in her care.
Meet Megan
Meet Alison
Meet Megan
Megan brings a unique and empathetic perspective to Woodlands House, shaped by her first hand experiences both within and alongside the care system. She understands the importance of nurture, stability, and support in helping young people thrive, and is deeply committed to supporting every child to succeed, regardless of the challenges th
Megan brings a unique and empathetic perspective to Woodlands House, shaped by her first hand experiences both within and alongside the care system. She understands the importance of nurture, stability, and support in helping young people thrive, and is deeply committed to supporting every child to succeed, regardless of the challenges they may face.
Having grown up caring for younger children, Megan developed a strong passion for supporting and nurturing young people from an early age — something she continues to pursue both professionally and personally.
Qualifications & Experience
- Working towards gaining a qualification in childcare.
- Working towards gaining Health and Social Care.
- Personal life experience.
Since 2023, she has been studying Childcare and Health & Social Care, further strengthening her knowledge and ability to provide encouragement, compassion, and high-quality care.
At Woodlands House, Megan uses her experiences positively by contributing ideas, actively listening to the voices of children, and showing genuine care, love, and commitment in her role. Her personal journey inspires her dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people, helping them build confidence, feel valued, and reach their full potential both within Woodlands House and beyond.
Meet Chris
Meet Alison
Meet Megan
Chris is quite new to the care industry professionally, but he bring over 13 years of personal experience as a parent to two children with autism and ADHD. Through this journey, he has developed a strong understanding of the challenges, rewards, and day-to-day support that young people and their families need. Chris also has first-hand ex
Chris is quite new to the care industry professionally, but he bring over 13 years of personal experience as a parent to two children with autism and ADHD. Through this journey, he has developed a strong understanding of the challenges, rewards, and day-to-day support that young people and their families need. Chris also has first-hand experience with the residential care system, as one of his children has been living in residential care for over five years, which has given him valuable insight into how the system works and the importance of compassionate, consistent support.
Qualifications & Experience
- Working towards SVQ 3
Chris is passionate about helping young people grow, develop independence, learn new skills, and overcome obstacles. Being able to play a positive role in that journey is both exciting and incredibly rewarding. Chris takes pride on having a positive, upbeat attitude and has a naturally empathetic approach, he's always eager to learn new skills and continue developing within the care sector.
Meet the people behind the scene.
Pauline and Garry.
Benesse Care was founded by Pauline and Garry, who are passionate about creating safe, caring homes for young people. Pauline has nearly 30 years of experience supporting children in care, while Garry brings strong leadership and organisation skills.
After years of planning and learning, they opened Woodlands House in October 2025. A warm and supportive home where every young person is treated with kindness, respect, and understanding.
