Meet the Team
MEET THE DIRECTORS
Jonathan Deslandes
In 1998 Jonathan commenced his career in the care sector as a Residential Support Worker within a large therapeutic children’s home and independent special school for children aged between ten and sixteen years of age with emotional and behavioural difficulties. He was heavily involved in supporting the music, art and drama therapy alongside qualified psychotherapists.
In 2001 he moved to one of the largest national residential childcare and education providers where he was employed until 2010. For the most part he was the Registered Manager of a Registered Children’s Home and Independent Special School which specialises in the care and education of children and young people aged between eight and eighteen years old with severe emotional and behavioural difficulties. He was responsible for overseeing child protection, ensuring that all of their needs were appropriately met and that staff training, development and practice was maintained at the highest level.
Working in partnership with other professionals and parents was a fundamental part of his role. His duties also included monitoring the standards of recording, ensuring that all practice and the operation of the home/school met policy and legislative requirements. He had key involvement in the development of the organisation and for quality assurance across the South East region. This included Reg 44’s (previously Reg 44’s) for a number of other homes.
In 2008 Jonathan undertook an MA in Social Work at Canterbury Christchurch University during which he had lengthy placements within a community mental health team, a secondary school and a shorter placement within adult social services.
Jonathan was employed by an Independent Foster Agency as a Supervising Social Worker in 2010 and was responsible for supervising ten foster carers and supporting the children they cared for. He had responsibilities in assessment and recruitment, training, liaison with other professionals, child protection and the development of the agency.
In 2012 he commenced the post of Head of Care of a boarding provision which specialises in the education of children with high functioning autism and/or speech and language difficulties. He is part of the Senior Leadership Team and responsible for the management of care staff and the care of boarders aged between eleven and sixteen years old. He has led the service to achieve its current Ofsted rating of ‘Outstanding’. This post is full time but term time only.
Alongside this role, he is also currently a Director and Care Consultant for Platinum Care Consultancy Ltd. His areas of expertise include: Regulation 44 visits, Standard 20 visits, training, start-up company consultancy, independent service reviews, Independent Supervision, Return Interviews and Independent Complaint Investigations.
Jonathan has been a panel member for two private fostering agencies and is currently an Independent Visitor for an Independent Special School specialising in the care and education for children with severe learning disabilities.
Over a 17 year career, Jonathan has undertaken a substantial amount of training and formal qualifications, some of which include the following:
- MA in Social Work (HPCP Registered – SW24417)
- The Licentiateship Award in Management
- NVQ Assessors Award
- NVQ Level 4 for Managers in Residential Child Care
- NVQ Level 4 Care
- NVQ 3 Caring for Children and Young People
- Graduate Certificate in the Care and Development of Children and Young People
What Jonathan Says:
“I am proud of my career in social care and the difference I have made in the lives of many children, young people and their families. I am equally as passionate about supporting staff and services to do likewise by sharing my experience to help achieve our mission of supporting the growth, development and evolution of care services.”
MEET THE DIRECTORS
Heidi Caplen-Kingston
Director and Care Consultant Platinum Care Consultancy ltd
Heidi is a graduate of the YMCA George Williams College in London and has both extensive and diverse experience of working within the childcare field.
With a Diploma of Higher Education in Informal Community Education, Heidi worked for a number of years as a Detached and Outreach Youth Worker. This has given her the strong foundations, perspective and skills to deliver an effective service to a diverse group of young people and their families in the community.
Following this, Heidi continued to develop her experience by working within in a Secure Training Centre, supporting the rehabilitation of young offenders.
Heidi then worked within a Children’s Home and quickly progressed into management. She became the Registered Manager of a Children’s Home within one of the largest national residential childcare and education providers. The home provided care for children aged 8 -18 with a diverse range of needs. She gained and maintained an Ofsted rating of, ‘Outstanding’ for three consecutive inspections.
Due to Heidi’s substantial experience and robust quality assurance methods, she also fulfilled the role of a Regulation 44 Visitor (previously Reg 44) to many other homes within the organisation, developing the design and of the documentation to undertake these visits. Other key responsibilities included overseeing recruitment, safeguarding and facilitating training courses.
Heidi has over 18 years’ experience in the care and education sector and has undertaken a substantial amount of training and formal qualifications, some of which include:
- DipHe in Informal Community Education
- NVQ 4 in Care
- NVQ 4 in Leadership and Management
- NVQ 3 Caring for Children and Young People
Heidi is able to offer her skills, knowledge and experience to a variety of settings with a firm emphasis on quality and excellence. Areas of expertise include: Regulation 44’s, Independent Service Reviews, Behaviour Management Training and Team Building.
What Heidi Says:
“I understand the importance of a professional and respectful working ethos and have the personal attributes and professional skills to make a positive impact on the people and organisations that I work with and support.”