Jane Miller - Independent Chair of the Board

Following a brief stint as a member of staff in a residential Children’s facility and work with an offender rehabilitation programme I qualified as a Social Worker in 1984 and began my career with Lincolnshire and then East Sussex County Councils, working across Adults and Children’s services including in a community based model and then moved to work for NSPCC in West Sussex for ten years. I then worked in a large unitary authority in South Yorkshire and progressed in a variety of roles including within Social Services and corporate roles including policy, strategy, performance and capital and strategic programmes (external funding). I then became an Executive Director Of Neighbourhoods and Communities with responsibility for a very large and diverse but very interesting portfolio including areas such as public health; community safety; highways; arts and leisure; cemeteries and crematoriums, Emergency planning! In early 2011 I moved to Care Plus Group as Chief Operating Officer/ Deputy Chief Executive and then became Chief Executive in February 2016 of this health and care social enterprise in NEL.

Whilst my career has enabled me to work in different areas and fields I’ve always enjoyed a challenge and new learning. My training and qualification as a Social Worker has always remained with me even if not 100% required for the role I was in at the time. One of the great things about being a Social Worker is the transferable skills, abilities and values that it brings, supporting opportunities to work in other areas. Having worked in large councils and in a social enterprise and voluntary sector environment I really value the flexibility of working within a less bureaucratic environment because of the innovation and flexibility that’s possible.  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my career – it’s had its moments at times! But as I reflect now on a lengthy career at a time when I am about to retire I believe I have been able to make a difference to people’s lives in the different roles I’ve been in and hopefully can continue to do so in my role as Chair of Focus.

Stewart Slight - Client Governor

I am a Board Member at Focus and I represent Service Users on the Board.

I’ve been on the board for seven years.

My background is Mental Health, Physical Disabilities and Autism.

I have a Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care.

Katie Davis - Employee Governor

I began my career with Focus in 2021 as an Advice Officer within the Single Point of Access team, before progressing to the role of Communications and Engagement Manager in 2024. My professional background is varied, including roles as a Witness Care Officer with Humberside Police and as a Marketing Manager at a local agency. Throughout my career, I have maintained a strong focus on people, supported by effective communication skills.

In my current role, I have developed a system for gathering and analysing service user feedback, providing valuable insight into how people experience our services. This enables me to represent the views and needs of service users effectively at board level, while also ensuring that the perspectives of our wider staff group are heard.

Deborah Harding - Leadership Governor

I qualified as a social worker in 2007 and started working for the Local Authority in the Physical Disability & Sensory Impairment Team. After a few years I moved to work in the community learning disability team. Many restructures and office moves later I spent the majority of my practice supporting people with disabilities. I was seconded to the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and played a key role in the market reshaping project. This involved assessing everyone placed out of area, supporting them to return back to North East Lincolnshire (NEL) where possible and creating a supported living market in NEL.

I returned to case management as Focus was created and moved into a role as an Advanced Practitioner (AP) in the short term team. I left the organisation for a couple of years to take up a role as an inspector for the Care Quality Commission (CQC). On returning to Focus I took up my previous role as an AP. I remained there until I was appointed as Head of Case Management, Performance & Finance. I have been in this role of Head of Service (Practice) now for almost 3 years.

I put myself forward as the leadership member of the board to learn more about the board’s functions, along with obtaining a greater understanding of the discussions and decisions that are considered and made at board level.

Sarah Dimberline - Employee Governor

I am a strong voice for positive change and believe that by listening to the voices of the people within our organisation and the people we serve, the service we deliver will be exceptional.

My position within Focus is that of an A3 Assessor which is a dual role on Single Point of Access and also completing Care Act assessments with individuals and their carers.

I am a local girl but did move away in 2005 when I went to University in Leeds to study Law. From there I went on to work for West Yorkshire Police in their Force Control Room, and moved back to Grimsby in 2011.

In 2013 I started my role within Focus and at that time our service was part of the Care Trust Plus. I have seen a lot of change in the time since first starting this job and I am very passionate about supporting the individuals of North East Lincolnshire and Focus as an organisation. It is this reason that I put myself forward for Staff Governor on the Board.

Chelsea Higgins - Employee Governor

I am currently in my seventh year as a qualified social worker. My experience is predominantly within long term case management where I worked for around six years. More recently I moved to the triage function which has brought many of its own challenges. I am passionate about Social Work, individuals of North East Lincolnshire and Focus as an organisation. This passion is what drew me to wanting to be on the board. It is important for me to be an active part of positive development organisationally which ultimately improves outcomes for individuals who access Adult Social Care. Being on the board enables me to be a part of this.