Healthcare Expert appointed Head of Care at Specialist Welsh Further Education College
A healthcare expert with over 20 years’ experience has been appointed as head of care at a Welsh specialist further education college.
Mat James, who has worked extensively across the healthcare field for two decades, has taken up the managerial role at Sully-based Beechwood College, which provides a unique 24-hour lifelong learning environment for young people over the age of 16.
In his new role he will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the domiciliary care at the specialist facility, which supports young people with an Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and severe and profound learning disabilities.
The 39-year-old was appointed after having worked for the Ludlow Street Healthcare Group, of which Beechwood College is a member, for more than 10 years previously.
During his time with the leading healthcare provider he accrued experience as a registered manager at Caerau Manor, Riverdale and Beechwood College, and also acted as an area manager across south Wales.
Additionally, he has 18 years’ experience as a registered learning disability nurse working with both adults and children in learning disability and mental health organisations.
His wide-ranging career has seen him gain experience working across hospitals and community homes, during which time he qualified as a registered manager with both the Care Inspectorate Wales and the Care Quality Commission.
On his appointment Mr James said returning to work at Beechwood College was like “coming home”.
He said:
“I am delighted to have been appointed to the role of manager at Beechwood College and I’m excited to be returning to the Ludlow Street Healthcare Group, which has been so instrumental to my success over the years.
“To be able to make such a direct difference to the lives of these fantastic young people will be incredibly rewarding and I’m relishing the opportunity.
“Having previously worked at Beechwood, I am really looking forward to working with the endlessly enthusiastic students, who are a joy to be around, and once again supporting them to achieve their aims at the college.
“I am also delighted to be working alongside such a talented, dedicated, and compassionate team who really make the college the success that it is.”
Beechwood College is a specialist further education college based in Sully, which provides residential care to students over the age of 16. The college supports students across south Wales with autistic spectrum conditions including Asperger’s syndrome; social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties; as well as severe and profound learning difficulties.