Raaj Pattni, Director

“I started my journey in residential care supporting adults in secure projects with high needs autism, learning disabilities, mental health issues and challenging behaviours. I worked with service users with a range of abilities and learned how best to support them to integrate into the community, usually from institutional environments, whilst ensuring they were always at the centre of their own care. My qualifications in psychology and neuroscience related specifically to learning difficulties and complex needs which shaped my ambition to give all individuals the best possible chance of transition to a family home or into supported living.

As the Director of Swan Independent Living I have helped my team support unaccompanied asylum-seeking children to stay happy, healthy, to maintain positive relationships and to integrate into British society and culture. Many of these young people have faced considerable trauma in their lives and a key part of our work has been to support them as they recover from these negative past experiences. We often see dramatic improvements in confidence and wellbeing, and I am proud that we have a proven track record of positive outcomes for the children we look after.

I strongly believe that every child has the potential to progress to a happy, settled permanence in an appropriate family environment, and eventually reach their own potential for independence in life. Our vision for Biggle Corner was to create a place where a child can be supported on this journey in a homely, therapeutic and holistic environment. I am committed to evidence-based working in order that we can confidently, and collaboratively help children to achieve positive outcomes that will transform the trajectory of their lives. I’m incredibly proud of the environment we have created, and the amazing team whose experience and passion will make Biggle Corner truly special. My ultimate aim is for each child to look back fondly on their time here and on their own achievements as the foundation for their long-term quality of life.”

Jo McNamara, Registered Manager

Since beginning her career in Young people’s Services as a Residential Practitioner in 2001, Jo has continued in various provisions with a focus on trauma, neglect and mental health issues leading to complex behavioural and emotional difficulties. In 2014, Jo became a Registered Manager for a local authority and also provides Regulation 44 visits to other providers and supported learning and development within services.

Jo has been part of the team at Swan Children’s Home since the conception of Biggle Corner, working alongside the Directors to create the unique home which opened In July 2020. Jo was the Responsible Individual of this home until January 2023 until she stepped into the role of Registered Manager to support the ongoing success of the home.

“I’m proud that the team at Swan Children’s Homes are so passionate about building an effective therapeutic community and bespoke environment where young people’s individual needs can be met in a holistic way. Our aim is not only for young people to reach their full potential whilst living with us, but also for effective partnership working to ensure that specialist support is maintained for young people and their families in transition from their time here.”

Lynette Fisher Responsible Individual

Lynette began her career in Residential Childcare in 1991 working for 15 years in a residential setting in Hertfordshire in a variety of roles ending as Head of Care. In 2006 when this home closed, she continued working around residential childcare as a tutor and assessor within Hertfordshire County Council Young people’s Service and also a number of private providers. She provided Regulation 44 visits to other private providers and has supported and advised in the development of services.