The award-winning housing organisation Bedspace, which finds homes for vulnerable young people, is continuing its expansion into the children’s residential sector with the two new appointments.

New hires

Pauline O’Connar joins as a children’s home manager with more than 20 years’ experience. Having worked with children and young people with complex needs, in her previous role as an Ofsted registered children’s home manager at Derbyshire County Council, Pauline’s qualifications and experience will be vital in making Bedspace’s first children’s home a blueprint for other homes in the future. 

Pauline will be joined by James McGill, a children’s home deputy manager. James has experience working with a variety of children with different traumas and support needs, and will help Bedspace create a home-like and supportive environment for children to develop.

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These new additions follow the appointment of Danny Wilson as head of children’s residential in November 2021 and will be vital in supporting Bedspace as it opens its first children’s home in Staffordshire later this year. 

Residential team

Increasing its children’s residential team will enable Bedspace to support its ambitious goal of opening five children’s home in five years, with a view to transforming the lives of more vulnerable young people across the UK. 

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These appointments come at a pivotal time for the organisation, as it pledges to take on 100 new staff members across the North in the next two years.

Pauline O’Connar, children’s home manager at Bedspace, said: 

“The Bedspace team has a great reputation for providing a high standard of support and I’m excited to be part of its move into the children’s residential sector. With 20 years’ experience, I understand the importance of creating a positive and supportive environment for children and I’m confident that at Bedspace we’ll be able to deliver this to make a real difference to young people across the UK.”

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Danny Wilson, head of children’s residential at Bedspace, commented: 

“Getting our first children’s home right is essential and to do that we need the best team. Our first home will become the blueprint for our other home across UK, and I have no doubt Pauline and James have the passion and commitment to transforming lives that is essential to make our children’s homes a success. I look forward to working with them and continuing to grow the team in the coming months.”