New Title

Chris Heaton

Owner Director

With over 40 years experience as a qualified builder and 35 years running his own building and groundwork company, Chris brings extensive leadership and management experience to his role as Director. He has developed high-quality children's homes, creating safe, welcoming and nurturing environments, while effectively managing teams, operations and standards.

Louise Heaton

Owner Director / Company Advocate

Louise has over seven years’ experience working in residential children’s care, progressing from Residential Care Worker to Senior Practitioner. She has supported young people with complex and traumatic experiences, including emotional and behavioural difficulties, sexualised behaviours, self-harm and suicidal ideation. Louise holds a Level 4 Children and Young People’s Family Practitioner qualification and has completed training in Non-Violent Resistance (NVR), EBM and PACE therapeutic approaches. She is passionate about building positive relationships and ensuring young people feel heard, valued and supported. Louise is now Serenity’s Company Advocate, using her skills in active listening, PACE and therapeutic practice to represent the views, wishes and feelings of the young people. She also provides direct support within the home when required.

Steve Oulsnam

Director

Steve Oulsnam is a company Director who has previous experience as a Pottery Poduction Manager and is currently working as a Warehouse Manager in the retail industry. Steve brings over 26 years managerial experience with a skill set in man management, leadership and organisational operations that can be applied to this sector.

Sandra Oulsnam

Director, Responsible Individual

Sandra has nearly 20 years’ experience working with children and young people with complex needs, including learning disabilities, autism, emotional and behavioural difficulties, self-harm and sexually harmful behaviours. Throughout her career, she has gained extensive knowledge and experience supporting both male and female young people through a wide range of challenges. Sandra holds Level 3 and Level 4 qualifications in Health and Social Care (Children and Young People), alongside Leadership and Management qualifications and extensive specialist training, including EBM and PACE therapeutic approaches. Her career has included roles such as Key Worker, Lead Mentor, Senior Practitioner and Deputy Care Manager. Since Serenity Care Children’s Homes opened, Sandra has worked as the Responsible Individual. She also supports the home as DDSL in the absence of the Registered Manager. Sandra is passionate about creating a safe, nurturing environment where young people feel supported, valued and able to thrive.

Alex Hayward

Registered Manager (The Grange)

Alex has nearly 20 years’ experience supporting children and young people with complex needs, including EBD, SEMH, CSE, self-harm, early years trauma and neglect. Alex has extensive experience providing therapeutic, trauma-informed support and working with MAPPA cases. Alex holds a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care, Children and Young People’s Services, alongside Level 3 CCYP and Level 4 DSL Safeguarding Lead qualifications. Alex has worked across all roles within registered children’s homes, including six years as a Deputy Manager and six years as a Registered Manager across solo and multi-bedded provisions. As the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at Serenity Care, Alex is passionate about safeguarding children and ensuring they receive the support, stability and care they need to thrive.

Reece Scifo

Director, Deputy Manager (The Grange)

Reece has experience in residential care working with children and young people for 6 years. Reece has acquired the relevant skills and knowledge to give young people the best start in life as well as being an effective team leader. Reece has a Degree in Criminology where he has learned not only practical and analytic skills, but also completed research on children’s psychology which has fuelled his ambition in wanting to help children and young people. Following university Reece pursued his careers in the residential setting where he completed Level 4 Diploma in Children and young people’s family practitioner. Reece has also now complete Level 5 Diploma Children and Young people’s Family Practitioner qualification.

Kelly Rushton Martin

Registered Manager (The Birch)

Kelly brings a wealth of experience across children’s, adult and social care, with a career spanning over 16 years within the NHS and Local Authority. She has supported individuals with complex needs including learning disabilities, autism, challenging behaviours, sensory impairments and mental health needs. Her experience includes managing children’s homes, care-leaver provisions and adult residential and domiciliary care services. Kelly holds a Level 3 Diploma in Lead Adult Care, a Level 3 OCN qualification as a Deafblind Assessor and a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Children and Young People. She is also trained in EBM and PACE therapeutic approaches and has completed counselling training. With strong leadership skills and a child-focused approach, Kelly is passionate about providing high-quality, nurturing care. She is committed to safeguarding, promoting positive outcomes and ensuring that young people are supported to feel safe, valued and empowered to reach their potential.

Antony Light

Deputy Manager (Harplow)

Antony has personal previous and current relevant experience in supporting young children with challenging behaviours. Antony has shown high levels of awareness and understanding with young people with additional needs as well as empathetic approaches and therapeutic understanding. Antony has completed EBM and PACE training and has completed his Diploma Level 4 Children, Young People and Family Practitioner

Debbie Scifo

Director, Deputy Manager (The Birch)

Debbie Scifo has worked in children’s residential care for 5 years. Debbie’s background previously has been working as a childminder, working with Early Years in a school setting, volunteering at Victim Support, gaining level 3 in counselling, Foundation degree in Early Years, BA Hons in Education, Level 4 in Children, young people and family’s practitioner and Level 5 in Leadership and Management. Debbie is a director and works on shift as a senior co-ordinator at Serenity and supports the management with the running of the home, ensuring new employees complete their induction to a high standard and delivers training such as PPR, Key-working, day to day on the job training and supporting staff to complete their medication workbook. Debbie supervises several staff members, and ensures the home continues to deliver high quality care to our young people.

Sean Casey

Senior Co-Ordinator

Sean is a driven, responsible and versatile member of the team who is passionate about developing his career in childcare. He works well both independently and as part of a team, with a calm and rational approach to problem-solving and a strong commitment to seeing tasks through to completion. His training and experience have helped him develop strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds. Sean has completed training in emergency first aid, food safety, RPE and physical intervention. He holds qualifications in Public Services, English, Maths and Psychology, alongside a background in Food Technology and Religious Education. Sean has successfully completed his Level 4 Diploma in Children, Young People and Families Practitioner.

Connor Allcock

Senior Co-Ordinator

Connor recently completed his degree in Sport and Exercise Therapy at the University of Wolverhampton. His studies explored how sport and therapeutic approaches can support wellbeing, which he feels connects strongly with his role at Serenity Care. Connor is motivated, ambitious and enjoys challenging himself to achieve new goals, while encouraging others to do the same. Outside of work, Connor has a real passion for sport, particularly football, as well as basketball, golf and Formula 1. He enjoys staying active, going to the cinema, eating out and spending time with his fiancé, their dog Alfie and rescue cat Luna. Connor is also due to commence his Level 4 Diploma in Children, Young People and Families Practitioner.

Ellie Scifo

Senior Co-Ordinator

Ellie holds a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and Development, achieving an outstanding DDD. Alongside her studies, she gained qualifications in Paediatric First Aid, British Sign Language and Food Hygiene, developing strong skills in organisation, patience and communication. Ellie has gained valuable hands-on experience through early years placements and working as a home-based childminder, supporting children’s development and helping them achieve their milestones. She also completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Counselling at Keele University, graduating in 2025. Ellie has progressed within Serenity and has been promoted to Senior, where she continues to develop her skills while completing her Level 4 Diploma in Children, Young People and Families Practitioner. Her empathy, enthusiasm and perseverance allow her to build positive relationships and provide compassionate support to the young people in her care..

Craig Ellison

Senior Residential Children's Practitioner

Craig is a Senior Childcare Practitioner who is enthusiastic, approachable and enjoys building positive relationships with those around him. He has a real passion for outdoor activities and sports, particularly tennis and badminton, and is always happy to get involved and encourage others to have a go. Craig enjoys helping others recognise their strengths, develop transferable life skills and understand that hard work and perseverance can help them achieve their goals. Outside of work, Craig loves being outdoors and exploring nature through hiking and, more recently, cycling. He also enjoys keeping healthy, experimenting with new smoothie recipes and learning more about how the human body works. Craig is looking forward to spending time with the children at Serenity Care, creating fun experiences, building meaningful relationships and making plenty of positive memories together. His calm and relaxed personality helps those around him feel comfortable, supported and at ease.

Megan Mountford

Senior Residential Children's Practitioner

Megan has worked in children’s residential care for just over a year and is currently working towards her Level 4 qualification. She is a friendly, approachable and supportive member of the team who takes pride in creating positive, trusting relationships with the children in her care. Megan is passionate about helping young people feel safe, valued and listened to, and enjoys supporting them through their individual journeys and achievements. Outside of work, Megan enjoys spending time on the farm, where she has developed a strong love for caring for animals. She particularly enjoys looking after her own horse and dogs. Her caring nature, patience and genuine compassion for both people and animals are qualities that she brings into her role every day.

Katie Stevenson

Senior Residential Children's Practitioner

Katie is particularly effective in supporting children who are non-verbal or have additional communication needs, using a range of appropriate communication strategies and resources, including PECS, picture and word cards, flash cards and other visual communication methods. She adapts her approach according to each child’s individual communication style and uses play-based activities to promote engagement, learning, development and positive experiences. Katie is proactive in identifying opportunities to support children’s individual progress and regularly contributes ideas and observations to inform care planning and day-to-day practice.

Sarah Hope

Senior Co-Ordinator (Bank)

Sarah is a fun, outgoing and bubbly person who is passionate about supporting children and families. She brings six years of experience working with children aged from six months to 10 years, including children with additional needs. Before joining Serenity Care, Sarah was Third in Charge at a private day nursery, where she developed strong leadership, communication and childcare skills. She holds a Level 3 Qualification in Childcare & Education and is looking forward to progressing onto her Level 4 qualification in Residential Care. Sarah is excited to continue developing her knowledge and skills at Serenity Care while building positive relationships with the young people, families, staff and professionals she works alongside. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys football and keeping active.