Lee Houghton has been appointed as managing director of TLC Care and Support, a residential care and supported living service which is part of Envivo Group.

Houghton will lead TLC’s personal and enablement care support offer for 130 people over 16 with a range of social care needs in Essex, East Hertfordshire and Suffolk, including those with a learning disability, those on the autistic spectrum and associated complex challenging needs and/or a mental health diagnosis.

She is equipped with a firm balance of clinical credibility and track record of excellence in leadership as a registered occupational therapist with extensive senior management and board-level experience within the NHS, Social Services and independent sectors across hospitals, care homes, community services and supported living settings.

Houghton has also acted as an advisor for the College of Occupational Therapists’ Consultancy Service, as a specialist advisor for the CQC, and an independent chair for Kent Council’s panel for serious reviews of safeguarding incidents.

Her award-winning credentials include her being recognised as a Gold winner of Surrey & Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust STAR Award for Leadership. She has also received recognition after redesigning a mental health day hospital service to create a Wellbeing Centre.   

Commenting on her appointment, Houghton said “I am delighted to be joining the TLC team as they work to ensure that young people and adults over 16 can achieve their goals and live safely and independently in the way that works best for them”. 

“It has been a complex and challenging two years for the social care sector, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, and I look forward to working with colleagues to build on our track record of delivering high quality, person-centred support and exploring innovative models of care.”

Houghton replaces Martin Lyne after he stepped down as TLC’s managing director.

Tim Davies, chief executive of Envivo Group, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Lee to TLC and believe appointing somebody of her calibre will help to ensure our services are set up in the strongest possible way to make a real difference to the lives of the people we support.”