LYNDA CASHFORD &
JACKIE HALES
Directors

Lynda Cashford and Jackie Hales formed their partnership in September 1991, developing a specialist behavioural service for adults with a learning disability and additional behaviours which challenge community services.

Both of us had trained as Registered Nurses within the Learning Disability field and were amongst the first to move from hospital to community environments. We first worked together when we were employed by Maidstone Health Authorities Primary Care Trust (Learning Disabilities) in 1984.

Lynda Cashford was initially employed to relocate children that were living in hospitals into community homes by Maidstone HA. Jackie Hales was initially employed as a Community Nurse. Given the success of our professional endeavours, Lynda Cashford was tasked with setting up six community homes for 36 adults with complex needs who were residing in long stay hospital. The remit included identification and refurbishment of suitable housing, development of neighbourhood relations, employment and supervision of staff teams for each property, development of policies and procedures to maintain health, safety and risk management protocols. In the meantime Jackie Hales had undertaken training to become a Nurse Behaviour Therapist and, as a result of this worked closely with the services managed by Lynda Cashford. A key component was to conduct functional assessments for behaviours which staff found difficult to manage. Providing support to staff teams through the development of individualised behaviour management plans, practice leadership in the implementation, staff training  and data analysis/ reports.

Our Philosophy of care whilst developing the service, was based upon the belief that an ordinary quality lifestyle, could be provided within the community for some of the most difficult to place people.

Since 1991, we have developed seven homes within the Medway and Swale area. Initially anticipating that we would by a local service for local people we have however, also offered to other commissioners from London who have placed service users within our homes due to the lack of good quality behavioural services within their boroughs.

ADAM CASHFORD
Operational Lead

Qualifications:

  • BA (Honours) Business Management (in progress)
  • Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care, Children and Young People’s Services (England) Adults’ Residential Management
  • Advance professional Diploma in PBS
  • PROACT SCIPr-uk® instructor
  • Health an social care NVQs level 2 and 3
  • Registered Home Manager Award

Joined company:
January 2000

Adam joined us as an Opportunity Co-ordinator in 2000, becoming a team leader in 2006, he held this position for 3 years until he became the Registered Home Manager of the Teynham service, gaining a RHM award during this time. In 2014 Adam completed an advanced professional diploma in PBS and registered as a PROACT SCIPr-uk® instructor. Adam has since obtained a level 5 diploma for health and social care management and then went on to commence his BA (Honours) in Business Management.  In 2021 Adam became the Operational Lead for the service.

During Adams 22 years at the service, he has developed extensive knowledge in health and social care service management and holds a key role in linking clinical, financial and operational objectives. Adam is responsible for operational performance of the service, the implementation of strong leadership & team building strategies, he engages with stakeholders to support development of integrated models of care & service strategies, provides support and collaborates with the Directors, Clinical lead, RHMs, Service Support Manager & HR to ensure all strategic plans are aligned, implemented & monitored. Adam is the services Executive Lead responsible for the Restrictive Interventions Reduction Programme.

BEN RENTON
Clinical Lead

Qualifications:
BSc (Hons) Psych, PG Dip Applied Psychology in Learning Disabilities (Challenging Behaviour), Cert CS, Cert CBT, PsychD, CPsychol, Registered Practitioner Psychologist (HCPC), Registered Applied Psychology Practice Supervisor.

Joined company:
1997

Ben started working for Insight in 1997, initially as an Opportunity Co-Ordinator and then in the role of Leading Co-ordinator. In 2002 Ben obtained the Diploma in Applied Psychology of Learning Disability (Challenging Behaviour) and moved into the role of Behavioural Therapist. In September 2016 Ben completed the Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at the University of East London. He is now a registered psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council. Ben leads the positive behaviour support (PBS) team and, provides support to the person centred planning (PCP) team. He delivers training, individual and systemic interventions and provides clinical supervision to registered managers and the PBS team.

CHLOE CASHFORD-BRIGGS
Service Support Manager

Qualifications:
Level 3 NVQ in administration, Level 3 Certificate in Management, Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping, Diploma in Payroll Management, Level 4 Award in Advanced Human Resource Management.

Joined company:
June 2005

Chloe joined us in June 2005 having previously worked in a management role for Medway Council, since joining us Chloe has gained her certificates in bookkeeping, payroll management and HR.

Chloe’s role is:
• To provide managerial and administrative support to both partners with regard to the Business of Insight.
• To manage and run a payroll system for the employees of Insight.
• To Produce Management accounts and accounting Systems regarding Insights business and expenditure.
• To oversee and manage the HR department.

JOANNE WEBSTER
Human Resources Officer

Highest Qualification:
Diploma in Human Resources, CiPD Level 5 in Human Resource Management.

Joined company:
November 2008

The Human Resources department is responsible for many people related issues in an organisation.

Under the HR department’s remit are the following roles:
• The process of recruiting suitable candidates for the organisation
• Identifying and meeting the training needs of existing staff
• Ensuring employee welfare and employee relations are positive
• Ensure the working environment is safe for employees
• Raising awareness of current workplace legislation

The Human Resource Department’s main objective is to bring out the best in their employees and thus contribute to the success of the Company.

ANDREW EDWARDS
Registered Home Manager (Walderslade)

Qualifications:
NVQ Level 2, 3 ,4 and 5, PRO-ACT SCIPrUK Trainer, Advance PBS Diploma

Joined company:
September 2001

Andrew, also known as Ed joined us as an Opportunity Co-Ordinator in 2001. He left us for a short time in 2007 to work in the Young Offenders field but soon returned to Insight. He has been the registered home manager of our home in Walderslade since 2009.

LUCY LOFT
Registered Home Manager (Minster-On-Sea)

Qualifications:
NVQ Level 3, 4 and 5

Joined company:
November 2008

Lucy joined us in 2008 as an Opportunity Co-Ordinator, she became a Team Leader in 2014 and was promoted to Registered Home Manager of our Minster locations in 2016 . She is now the Registered Home Manager at our properties in Sittingbourne and Newington.

JOSHUA FIRTH
Registered Home Manager (Minster)

Qualifications:
NVQ Level 3 and 4 and is working towards NVQ Level 5

Joined company:
November 2011

Josh joined us as an Opportunity Co-Ordinator in 2011. Josh has been a Town Councillor and also a member of the cadets.

Josh is now the Registered Home Manager at our Minster locations.

OUSMAN TUNKARA
Registered Home Manager (Teynham)

Qualifications:
NVQ Level 3, currently working towards a Level 4.
Bachelor of Science with Honours in Accounting and Finance.

Joined company:
December 2014

Ousman joined us as an Opportunity Co-Ordinator in 2014.

Ousman is now the Registered Home Manager of our Teynham location.

DANNY DAVIS
Assistant Positive Behaviour Support Co-Ordinator

Qualifications:
Advanced Professional Diploma in Positive Behavioural Support and PROACT SCIPr-UK®.

Joined company:
August 2010

Danny began working for Insight in 2010 and has since worked in various roles. He is now part of the Positive Behavioural Support team and provide support in this area for all within the organisation. His main tasks include behaviour assessment, intervention planning, data collection and analysis, audits, staff training and practice leadership. Danny has a keen interest in improving quality of life and reducing restrictive practices for the people he supports. Danny has completed training in Positive Behavioural Support and recently completed the PROACT SCIPr-UK® instructor course training.

GEMMA GEORGE-RIVETT
Senior PCP Co-Ordinator

Qualifications:
NVQ Level 3 in admin, Modern Apprenticeship in Business Admin, Higher National Diploma in Business Management, NVQ level 3 in Health and Social care, Certificate in PCP. Diploma in Coaching and Mentoring

Joined company:
November 2005

Gemma joined us as an Opportunity Co-Ordinator in 2005 having previously done voluntary work within the Learning Disabilities field. Gemma is now our Senior PCP Co-Ordinator. The main purpose of Gemma’s role is to promote Person Centred Planning and assist in ensuring that service users are supported to develop long term life aspirations.

KATIE ANDREWS
HR Assistant

Qualifications:
Business Admin level 2 and Level 3 Human Resources certificate

Joined company:
January 2014

Katie joined Insight as an apprentice in January 2014, she now works in our HR department assisting Jo Webster to provide an effective HR service for the organisation.

Katie plays an active role in recruitment and will support candidates through the process from the pre-screening stage right through to when they get started with us.