Our Team

Alan Wilkinson

Alan Wilkinson

Director

Alan started his training in the care sector in 1974, completing a residential care course. In 1980, he qualified as a Registered Nurse – Learning Disabilities. He holds the NVQ Levels 2 and 3 qualification, NVQ Level 4 Registered Managers Award and Assessors Award (LDAF).

Alan is the sole owner of Highfield and is much involved in its day-to-day operations and has been since its inception in June 1986. Like all managers, Alan has an open-door policy, which means he is available to talk to staff, service users and family at any time.

Katie Ryan

Katie Ryan

Registered Manager

Katie joined Highfield as the Registered Manager in 2016, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Her care background began as a Support Worker with Darwen Borough Council in Blackburn. Whilst working for Social Services, Katie was promoted to Senior Community Support Worker and then as Team Coordinator. Katie has also managed a respite service for adults with learning disabilities and was a Registered Manager for a local care provider.

Katie holds an NVQ Level 4 in Health and Social Care, QCF Level 5 in Leadership and Management, NCFE Level 3 in Principles of End-of-Life Care, the Moving and Handling of People Trainers’ and Assessors Award as well as the Disabled Living Trusted Assessors Award.

Cathi Sherratt

Cathi Sherratt

Operations Manager

Cathi joined Highfield in 2020 as Operations Manager, responsible for recruitment, HR, organising funding, in-house training, and staff CPD. She is also responsible for one of Highfield’s supported living properties.

Cathi’s care background includes the management of a residential care home, behaviour support within a behavioural school and Operations Manager for training providers for 20 years, delivering NVQs in care across a wide range of health and social care sectors, including working on Skills for Care and awarding body forums, where she advised on standards and policy.

Cathi holds an NVQ Level 5 in Leadership and Management and Learning and Development.

Clair Johnson

Clair Johnson

Base Manager

Claire recently joined Highfield in September 2022 and is new to the Social Care Sector.

Previously Claire worked in the retail banking sector and comes to us with a wealth of business and management knowledge from a career spanning 29 years.

Claire is responsible for the administration, marketing, organisation and day-to-day running of our day centre, The Base.

Tara Wilkinson

Tara Wilkinson

Team Manager

Tara joined the company in 2009 as a Support Worker. She completed the NVQ and training process and was promoted to Team Leader in May 2012. Her promotion to Team Manager soon followed in March 2013.

Tara holds an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care and a Level 5 in Management.

She is responsible for managing two supported living houses and a number of service users who live in their own homes (often referred to as Outreach). She also manages Highfield’s bank staff.

Michelle Davies

Michelle Davies

Team Manager

I’ve worked within health and social care for 18 years and also have experience working within Nurseries and Children’s home. During this time I gained a B.A. Honours Degree in Criminology. I joined Highfield in 2018 as a support worker then became a team leader in 2019. I have completed my Level 5 in management within health and social care. I look after 3 supported living services within Highfield. My direct line is 01254 885016

Vicky Banham

Vicky Banham

Team Manager

I started as a Support worker then on to Team Leader within Highfield, I then left to take up a role as a registered manager for 4 years, I returned to Highfield as a team  manager, I look after 4 supported living services within Highfield, I love spending time with my 3 Children and enjoy outdoor activities like fishing, scuba diving and walking.