Lindsay Rachubka
Founder and Ofsted Registered Manager
In her role as a social worker for Greater Manchester for more than 14 years, Lindsay was acutely aware of the differing levels of support provided to looked after children by the variety of supported accommodation providers throughout the north west.
Tired of being disappointed with the places children were placed, Lindsay saw the need for a service which would provide safe and outstanding support to looked after children and so Cottongrass Homes Limited was born.
Lauren Poole
Founder and Ofsted Nominated Individual
Lauren, who trained and qualified as a solicitor at a top tier law firm after university, always wanted more than the corporate sector.
Her positions as safeguarding governor at a primary school and charity volunteer began her journey into understanding the lives of looked after children and her position as founder and Nominated Individual at Cottongrass Homes Limited cements her intention to provide a safe and supportive space for children in the care system.
Alia
House Manager
Alia has worked for Cottongrass Homes since we opened the doors to our first home and has been working in the care industry for a number of years. We are thrilled that she is our House Manager at Leon House.
Alia’s extremely nurturing nature and her understanding of Arabic means she is a brilliant asset to our team supporting Unaccompanied Asylum Seeker Children. Lauren and Lindsay and all the children we support would be lost without her.
Abbie Stewart
Safeguarding Lead
Abbie has been a teacher for over 20 years and is dedicated to the development, support and safeguarding of all children. As such, she was an obvious choice for our Safeguarding Lead, a role which requires precision, dedication, a willingness to constantly review legislation and its changes and a level of independence from the rest of the team which means that the children know that they can talk to her about anything. Abbie also ensures that in-house bespoke safeguarding updates and training is given to staff on a regular basis.
Rosemary
Recruitment Manager and support worker
As soon as Lindsay and Lauren met Rosemary they knew they had found a like minded recruit who would be part of the Cottongrass Team for many years. Having previously worked as a social worker, Rosemary is acute to the needs of children and is therefore an invaluable member of our team and superb at finding talent for our support roles.
Teke
Support worker
Teke is currently waiting to start his degree in social work and nursing but we are thrilled to have him as part of the team whilst he waits to begin his course and, he assures us, he will continue with us even when the university bell rings!
MK
Support worker
Before coming to work for Cottongrass Homes MK had much experience working with children and young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities. He is highly qualified in a number of health and social care areas and is hugely motivated to support the young people we have in our homes.
Malcolm
Support worker
Prior to working with us at Leon House, Malcolm worked mainly with adults suffering with dementia. He was excited for the new adventure of working with children in supported accommodation and since starting with us he has not looked back.
Abida
Support worker
Abida is our newest team member and we are not sure how we ever lived without her! With a long history of working in care, with the training and certificates to prove it, she is a dedicated, focused and invaluable member of the team.
