I’ve worked in social care for well over thirty years, starting out in the late 1980’s as a support worker, working with people with learning disabilities who were moving out of long stay hospitals in London. I became a home manager and area manager then moved to Birmingham where I project-managed the closure of Monyhull Hospital in Kings Norton and set up the new services in the community which replaced it. 

From 1999 to 2015, I worked for the national charity Sense, supporting people with complex needs. I was Regional Director based in Birmingham and then national operations director from 2009 to 2015. This involved managing services for children, adults and older adults across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with around 2,000 staff across 100 service locations. 

I’ve worked as an independent consultant since 2015. I’ve done lots of different kinds of work, for care providers and care associations, for local councils and for housing associations. Quite a lot of it has been around safeguarding – investigations, audits and reviews, helping with policies etc. I’m also the Independent Chair of the Safeguarding Board at Midland Heart Housing Association, and previously held a similar role at the charity Friends of the Elderly, providing independent scrutiny but also support. 

For care providers I can offer:

• Safeguarding audits and health checks - structured reviews of safeguarding culture, practice, reporting and governance, likely to include reviewing policies and paperwork as well as conversations with people you support, their relatives, staff and managers.
• Help with complex or sensitive investigations and other tricky situations - complaints, whistleblowing concerns or other issues.
• Help with projects, programmes, reviews, evaluations, restructuring, consultations… etc. 

There are lots more details on my website, www.petercheerconsulting.co.uk. 

I’m delighted to be working with the WMCA which does so much to support the sector in this region and I would be more than happy to arrange a free initial call with any WMCA members about any issues you may have coming up. 

Do get in touch via email to info@petercheerconsulting.co.uk or call 07967 303102.