Jamie commenced providing independent services in 1990. Prior to this he had worked for the health and Social Services. He is a registered Nurse and a Registered Nurse Behaviour Therapist.

Jamie is passionate about the use of positive approaches to support people that challenge services. He is equally passionate regarding the decrease of the use of restrictive practices. This is why HQL was formed. HQL has a demonstrable track record, now approaching its 20th year of providing accommodation and support to people based in the community who would otherwise be in more restrictive settings.

Each person using our services is unique and needs to have support based upon their individual needs, preferences and desires. Ask Jamie what the most important aspects of service provision are and he'll mention the following; 'Keep things simple and focus on People being happy'

Kath has been a Company Director since 1992. Prior to becoming a Director she worked for another company based in Kent and supported people that used services. In fact, this is how Kath first met Jamie. Kath was supporting Jamie's brother who uses services.

Kath has a Diploma in Welfare Studies. Kath believes that all people should have the rights and opportunities to experience a high quality of life. If people's lives are enjoyable and of high quality then it is more likely that they will be happier and fulfilled.

Kath is involved in planning with the Senior Management Team in making improvements and making plans for the future.

Linda Ribbands is our Director of Operations and Strategic Development and has worked for High Quality Lifestyles for 2 years. With over 21 years in the care field she has a wealth of experience and has practised for many years within learning and physical disability services.

In 2002 Linda moved into Regulation and worked for 5 1/2 years for the Commission for Social Care Inspection; initially as an Inspector and then as a Regulation Manager. She had regulatory responsibility for 350+ services and managed a team of 12 inspectors. As part of this role Linda was the lead for the Commission for Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults in Kent and Medway and worked closely with all agencies on any SGVA issues that the commission had a role in, as well as sitting on serious case review panels. She was also the South East Older Person’s Lead working with the South East Public Health Group re issues affecting older people. Linda takes a keen interest in improving services for people with cognative impairments and whilst at the Commission she worked with Bradford University Dementia Care Group to develop an inspection tool that maps out the quality of service delivery in dementia and learning disabilty services. She later went on to deliver the training for this tool to all Inspectors in the South East of England.

Linda is committed to improving the quality of life outcomes for the people we support and also in developing HQL services and the staff who provide these. Her experience gained over the years in her different roles is being well utilised!

Linda has a Post Graduate Diploma in Managing Health and Social Care, an NVQ 4 in management and another in Promoting Independence. She is an NVQ assessor and has a teacher training certificate (ALBSU) in the learning disability field.

I am a Registered Nurse in General and Learning Disabilities.  I have had extensive experience and held a number of Senior Management positions in Health, Social Services and the Independent sector.  At a clinical level I have held various senior positions both in the National Health Service and Social Services.  For 15 years I held General Management responsibilities within the National Health Services and for several years was a member of the National Development Team.  I have been fortunate to have known Jamie Emberson, Managing Director, High Quality Lifestyles – for 30 years, within the National Health Service and since 2000 working for High Quality Lifestyles in various capacities at Senior Management level until my retirement in February 2008.  I now work on a part time basis with a very diverse role being a member of the Senior Management Team and the Board of Directors.  Whilst not having any Operational Responsibilities I undertake projects as required and in support of the Directors of the Company and Senior Managers.

I began my career in 2003 as a support worker in a Challenging Behaviour service. I held this position for two years. During this time I gained supplementary experience  working in a mental health service. In 2005 the opportunity arose for me to join HQL as a Trainee Positive Behaviour Support Consultant. In 2008 I graduated from the Tizard Centre (UKC)  with a BSc (Hons) Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities.
I now manage the Person Centred Approaches Department and am relishing the opportunity to put into practice some of the excellent training I have received. I hope to be a catalyst in further developing and expanding the good work this department does.
I am also registered with the British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD) and PROACT SCIPr-UK ® as a Principle Instructor. In 2009 I was honoured to win the PROACT SCIPr-UK ® Marion Cornick Award For Innovative Practice.

I am a firm believer, particularly in our line of work, that you never stop learning and can learn something new from anyone!

I am the Finance and Head Office manager. I joined the firm in 2009 having previously worked for the largest accountancy firm in Kent. It is my responsibility to contribute to High Quality Lifestyles fiscal health and growth by developing and maintaining a robust accounting system, and to ensure that the administration department provides an efficient and effective service.

Hi my name is Charlie Ribbands, I joined High Quality Lifestyles in November 2009 as the Accommodations  Manager  and my remit is to upgrade refurbish and maintain all of the existing HQLS properties and any future developments. My background has been in the Construction Industry for the past 40 years primarily as a Carpenter and Joiner and the last 20 years as a Senior Projects Manager for large national construction companies. I am enjoying  the challenge and  change in direction.

I began my career in 2003 as a support worker in a Challenging Behaviour service. I held this position for two years. During this time I gained supplementary experience  working in a mental health service. In 2005 the opportunity arose for me to join HQL as a Trainee Positive Behaviour Support Consultant. In 2008 I graduated from the Tizard Centre (UKC)  with a BSc (Hons) Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities.
I now manage the Person Centred Approaches Department and am relishing the opportunity to put into practice some of the excellent training I have received. I hope to be a catalyst in further developing and expanding the good work this department does.
I am also registered with the British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD) and PROACT SCIPr-UK ® as a Principle Instructor. In 2009 I was honoured to win the PROACT SCIPr-UK ® Marion Cornick Award For Innovative Practice.

I am a firm believer, particularly in our line of work, that you never stop learning and can learn something new from anyone!

Nicki Hood has over 20 years experience of working and managing services within the learning disability field and has been with High Quality Lifestyles since 2004.

Nicki works as a consultant within High Quality Lifestyles Person Centred Approaches Department. She is also the Registered Manager for High Quality Lifestyles Domiciliary & Outreach Support Services. This is registered service that specialises in the assessment of, care and support for adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions and who sometimes need to present with severe and challenging behaviour. This service will also provide training and mentoring support to families and other providers of care.

Nicki is a qualified Behavioural Specialist and has completed a Diploma in the Applied Psychology of Challenging Behaviour in Learning Disabilities at the Tizard Centre at the University of Kent. She has also attended and completed the Institute for Applied Behaviour Analysis Summer Institute in Los Angeles and is currently working towards achieving a B.Sc (Hons) in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities/Graduate Diploma in Applied Behaviour Analysis.

Nicki is also a PROACT-SCIP-UKr Instructor and is registered to train the PROACT-SCIP-UKr curriculum including Audit Based Interventions – keeping safe and person specific. This training is accredited to the British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD).

I have been with the organisation since 2005 and am currently managing Rose Farm House. My background is in intellectual and developmental disabilities, I have over 25 years experience of supporting adults in a residential setting, managing staff teams and developing strategies based on a passionate belief in Person Centred Approaches and developing Person Centred Teams. My role is also one of a Person Centred Approaches Consultant this is mainly within Rose Farm but also for certain individuals that live in our other services on a needs led basis.

I have a city & guilds certificate in management in care, a Diploma in Welfare studies, a Diploma in Applied Psychology of Learning Disability & a BSC in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

I am the Finance and Head Office manager. I joined the firm in 2009 having previously worked for the largest accountancy firm in Kent. It is my responsibility to contribute to High Quality Lifestyles fiscal health and growth by developing and maintaining a robust accounting system, and to ensure that the administration department provides an efficient and effective service.

I joined HQL in February 2006 having had 20 years administrative and customer care experience as a regular member of the Royal Air Force and a civilian support worker with Kent Police. In April of 2007 I took on the new post of Administration/Personnel Co-ordinator, managing the administrative infrastructure of HQL's expansion strategy.  I'm very much looking forward, together with my colleagues, to contributing to the continued support of our service users and staff throughout this period of expansion.

I have worked for many years in the administration field having spent some 8 years at South Kent College where I worked with disaffected Key Stage 4 School excluded or referred students.  I provided a range of course support clerical and statistical backup and co-ordination of work experience placement.  Prior to this I worked for various organisations, Saga Services, Folkestone & Dover Water Services and inclusive Tours at P&O Ferries.

I was interested in a change of direction and was attracted to the position of Administrator with High Quality Lifestyles who were in the process in developing an administrative infra-structure to support the company’s development strategy.  I joined in April 2007 and I am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.

I have been with the organisation since 2005 and am currently managing Rose Farm House. My background is in intellectual and developmental disabilities, I have over 25 years experience of supporting adults in a residential setting, managing staff teams and developing strategies based on a passionate belief in Person Centred Approaches and developing Person Centred Teams. My role is also one of a Person Centred Approaches Consultant this is mainly within Rose Farm but also for certain individuals that live in our other services on a needs led basis.

I have a city & guilds certificate in management in care, a Diploma in Welfare studies, a Diploma in Applied Psychology of Learning Disability & a BSC in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

My reason for getting involved in supporting people with Learning Disabilities stemmed from sister who also has a Learning Disability. Growing up with my sister enabled me to gain various skills that I am able to transfer over into the day to day management of the service.

I first commenced my employment with HQL back in November 1995, in a service called Stone Farm, we supported 8 people all of which had a Learning Disability. I began work as a Support Worker, I really enjoyed the challenge that this brought on a day to day basis. I particularly liked being given the opportunity to form good relationships with the people that lived there.

Over time I worked my way through the various positions within the organisation, Key Worker, Team Leader, Deputy Manager and then Manager. I have spent most of my managerial time at Wolverton Court.

During my time at Wolverton Court I have obtained various relevant qualifications including: Certificate in Welfare Studies, NVQ 4, Registered Managers Award, Certificate in Person Centred Planning, SCIP® UK Instructor.