Arbour Vale School

Hi my name is Veronica I have worked in residential child care for about 22 years. Arbour Vale school is my third residential school I have worked in and I have been here since October 2007. I am very proud of Arbour Vale house and all we have achieved in a very short period and enjoy coming to work every day. I have a great staff team and we have a laugh together. Out side of work I have 7 nieces and nephews and I love spending time with them, it is even better when I can give them back at the end of the day!! I have a dog called Monty he is a cocker spaniel and I love walking him. I am also a mad Tottenham fan and watch as many matches as I can. I like listen to music and reading when I get time.

Hi my name is Michael Garrity I began working as Deputy Head of Care at Arbour Vale House in January 2008. I have worked in residential care for children on the autistic spectrum since I was 19 years old. I enjoy the variety of my role here working with the children and the team who support them - never knowing what each day will bring is an exciting challenge. In 2004 I studied counselling, taking a course covering the practical and theory aspects which has been very useful in my professional and personal life. As I found the course so valuable I went on to study Humanistic Counselling at Degree level in 2007. The two year course was a huge commitment and after completing the first year successfully, I have had to put the course on hold for the near future after starting in my role at Arbour Vale House because there were not enough hours in the week to do the course justice and spending time with my four year old son takes priority. When I am not at work I like to spend time with my family and making the most of my Manchester United season ticket when I can find the time.

My name is Rebecca Daley I am a senior care worker at Arbour Vale House. I started working at Arbour vale school in 2000 after passing my NNEB at college, at the school I was an STA and also done some unqualified teaching. I started working at Arbour Vale House in February 2008 and have enjoyed getting started and putting work systems into place.

I have been working at Arbour Vale for a couple of years now with a year at Arbour Vale House. I began working here on a voluntary basis while going through the process of becoming a Policeman and enjoyed the work so much that when they offered me a contract, I turned down the police force for a career in Autism. When the opportunity to work in the new Residential unit became available I went for it and managed to get it. I have never looked back and still love it to this day. Outside of work I am an avid Tottenham Hotspurs fan and try not to miss any England games but often have to work at the time the match is on, which makes me sad. I am also a massive stand up comedy and movie fan.

Hi, my name is Lisa and I have been working at Arbour Vale for school for nearly 7years. During my time here I have gained experience in many different areas but I now work with young people with autism. I have recently got a new position as care worker in the residential unit which is hard work but lots of fun. I am about to undertake an NVQ level 3, health and social care, children and young people In my spare time I enjoy travelling, holidays and socialising with my friends.

Hello my name is Claire O’Brien. I started at Arbour Vale School at the start of 2007 and worked in a primary class until June 2008. I then came over to Arbour Vale House in September 2008. I went to college for a year and got my NVQ level 2 and then decided I just wanted to get straight into work. I enjoy working with the children doing many activities. 

Hello my name is David Hudson I worked at arbour Vale school as a STA two years. I am a parent to a wonderful daughter Daisy who has high functioning autism. I now work as a care worker in this wonderful residential care home with these special children and I help them to be more independent and successful in whatever they do.

Hi, my name is Jo. I studied a diploma in child care at Reading College. I came to Arbour Vale School and worked in the A.S.D base for nearly 3yrs. I came to Arbour Vale House in June ’08 because I wanted to develop key skills for the children such as independency, social skills and set up a structured routine for each child around the house.

My name is Lynn Garnham I have worked in the care profession for the last 20 years, mostly with adults but also with children with learning disabilities. I worked in Arbour vale school for 3 years in ASD before coming over to Arbour vale house in June.

Hi I am Michael P; I am a new member of the staff team at the AVH. Here is some more information about me. I have worked in care for 12 to 13 years starting with the elderly then I was a youth working at the YMCA in Wycombe, and I have also looking after adults with learning disabilities, some of them had challenging behaviour. Just one more thing. I am a FA football coach teaching children football skill, and I support Man United.

Hello my name is Stacey Gaut. I started working at Arbour Vale House in September 2008, and enjoy working with the children. In my spare time I like spending time with my friends and family, I am a member of St. John ambulance