Our Leadership Team
Our Governors (Trustees) administer the Seckford Foundation, which includes Seckford Care and Woodbridge School (including the Preparatory School and Pre-Preparatory School).
Gemma Bloomfield is Director of Care and is responsible for the overall running of Seckford Care and nominated individual with the Care Quality Commission. Gemma is supported by a team of six people, who form part of the Leadership Team.
Gemma is a member of the Executive Committee for the Seckford Foundation and meets with the Governors regularly to discuss quality assurance, compliance and to develop strategies for Seckford Care.
Gemma Bloomfield – Director of Care
Gemma has worked within the health, social care and not-for-profit sector for more than 20 years, starting as a Support Worker in a long-stay hospital for people with a learning disability. She continued to support people within the community, moving into her first management role of an Older Persons residential care home in 2003.
In 2005, Gemma joined a not-for-profit organisation as a Registered Manager with Care Quality Commission for a newly-developed Older Persons Extra Care scheme and Younger Person with Dementia scheme. She then progressed in her career to Head of Service, being responsible for eight Extra Care services across the county of Suffolk, including sheltered housing and support. In 2015, Gemma was promoted to Business Development Manager, responsible for growing the entire Support and Care Division, developing partnerships and initiatives.
Prior to joining Seckford in 2020, Gemma was Director of Client Services for a local charity and graduated from the University of Suffolk in 2019 with a Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Service Innovation.
In her free time, Gemma is Trustee for Ipswich Housing Action Group, providing support and housing to people experiencing homelessness and a Volunteer Mentor for students at Northgate High school.
Cassie Parratt – Head of Care
Cassie has been working at Seckford Care since 2016, originally appointed as a relief carer. Since 2020, Cassie has been steadily progressing in her career as COVID Administrator to Seckford Club Manager in 2021, overseeing the relaunch of the Club.
Cassie was then appointed Registered Manager with the Care Quality Commission, for both the Almshouses and Jubilee House.
Cassie achieved her QCF Level 4 Leadership and Management in Care Services in 2021 in just six months, and is pursuing her QCF Level 5.
Most recently, Cassie has been promoted to Head of Care.
Cassie has proven herself to be a dedicated member of the Leadership Team, possessing the values that demonstrate her commitment to caring for others.
Mandy Button – Deputy Manager for Extra Care and Activities
Mandy was originally appointed as a carer in 2010, progressing to Activities Lead for Seckford Care in 2017.
Mandy’s successes include being nominated as a finalist at the National Care Awards 2020, being promoted to Activities and Wellbeing Manager and, most recently, taking on the new role of Deputy Manager for Extra Care and Activities, following our investment in Activities Care Workers.
Mandy now manages a small team, delivering activities for residents and organising social events in order to combat loneliness and focus on promoting resident wellbeing.
Hayley Downard – Deputy Manager for Jubilee House
Hayley joined the Leadership Team in 2021, as Team Leader, and has been promoted to Deputy Manager for Jubilee House.
Commencing her career as a carer in 2002, Hayley has worked in domiciliary care and residential care. Hayley’s previous role was a Senior Carer in a residential home, with special responsibility for medication.
Hayley is an absolute asset to the team; her ‘can do’ attitude includes providing direct support to residents and the staff team on shift and assisting the Leadership Team to ensure the highest standards of care for the residents at Seckford.