Dear applicant,

Welcome to the Chief Executive recruitment campaign website of Catholic Care. You are considering applying for a post at an organisation that has a history of more than a century and a half in caring for disadvantaged people. Thousands have benefited from the loving care that has been provided by this organisation.

Our Children's Homes have offered security and loving care to thousands of children whose parents were not able to offer them the nurture we all expect in our early lives. More recently, our residences for people with mental illness or learning difficulties offer similar support to people who are not able to make their own way in life. Our Adoption and (soon to be resurrected Fostering) services play a vital part in creating families. They bring together parents and children who otherwise would not meet each other. Our annual Mass for these people is a wonderful witness to the work being done by a dedicated team.

We have a team of Social Workers who visit the schools of the Diocese offering advice, support and counselling to young people who are experiencing difficulties at home through perhaps marriage break down or ordinary difficulties in communication within families. The services of these social workers are very much appreciated and in great demand in the schools of the Diocese of Leeds. We have got an exciting scheme for elderly people in Huddersfield, which could serve as a model for other developments throughout West Yorkshire. One member of our team is involved with different schemes for homeless people, asylum seekers and other such disadvantaged people.

The successful applicant for this post will find him/herself at the head of an organisation that makes a great contribution to the welfare of countless disadvantaged people. S/he will be able to relate to the parishes and priests of the Diocese, to Headteachers in our schools, to Directors and Heads of Departments in Social Services in the various local authorities which use our services, and to leaders of other voluntary organisations locally and nationally. The Governors are always open to new ideas and areas of development.

There are some 150 dedicated people on the staff team who are commited to the ethos and aims of the Agency, who are looking forward to the appointment of a new Leader. This organisation offers a spiritual dimension to the caring services based on the love of Christ for all His people, especially the most vulnerable. I look forward to meeting interested parties with a view to making a very important appointment in the near future.

Every blessing.

Canon Peter Maguire
Vice Chair of Governors
Catholic Care
Diocese of Leeds