CEO
Zia is a graduate from Oxford University (Saïd Business School) and holds his Level 7 and Level 8 diplomas in Strategic Management & Leadership. Zia also completed his PhD in Education and has been a visionary in school leadership and management around the world, building on his science background. Also a former SAR helicopter pilot for the UN (DESA Africa), Zia is dedicated to improving the welfare of those in need and fulfilling humanitarian work through his partner charities.
Managing Director
Melanie brings many years of experience in establishing care homes and providing specialised education. Her expertise spans the complex and evolving landscape of therapeutic child care.
Before establishing Bayleaf Care, she worked in education across Europe and the Middle East in teaching and school management roles. A qualified English teacher, she also holds an MA in International Education, and is currently completing her Level 7 in Senior Leadership.
Under her leadership, Bayleaf Care applies a trauma-informed, relationship-based model of care built around the PACE framework, with a multidisciplinary in-house team delivering tailored therapeutic and educational support to create a bespoke wraparound care service.
Director of Education
Wayne graduated with a degree with Honours in French with Teaching Studies from the University of Surrey: Roehampton Institute in July 1994, after which he commenced his teaching career. His roles have ranged from class teacher to Interim Executive Headteacher. He is currently a headteacher of a large, urban infant school in the London Borough of Croydon. The school is characterised by its high levels of pupils and families with English as an additional language.
Amongst numerous awards and qualifications, Wayne has acquired his National Professional Qualification in Headship (NPQH) and more recently, his National Professional Qualification in Executive Headship in 2021 (NPQEL).
Currently, Wayne has undertaken an MSc in Health and Social Care and will be overseeing the education and staff training at Bayleaf Care.
Director of Business
Dr Usmaan qualified as a dentist from the University of Manchester and has joined the Bayleaf team as the Director of Business & Finance. He has a strong understanding of business and finance having run his own company successfully. To further his understanding will be enrolling with the University of Oxford’s Said business school on their course.
Dr Usmaan is passionate about the Bayleaf vision and the model of care we provide. He is keen to make sure every young person is looked after well and will not compromise on their care.
Finance Director & Head of Acquisitions
Dee has a Degree in Economics and has spent the past 36 years as the director of a very successful corporate finance business. Dee has also been an Operations Director for a property development company in the UK and Ireland. Dee is currently involved in advising high net worth foreign investors in the acquisition of UK land and property and is hoping to use his skills to improve the living conditions of vulnerable children.
Director of Operations
Laura has over 24 years experience working in the children’s residential sector within various roles, progressing from residential support worker to Director of Operations. She has also worked as part of a quality team supporting other registered managers to improve the quality of service delivery within their homes.
Her experience predominantly lies with autism and learning disabilities however this expands to EBD, SEMH and complex health needs.
Laura is passionate about providing the best possible care for children and young people allowing ample opportunities to have positive and memorable experiences
Deputy Director of Operations
Jamie joined Bayleaf Care in December 2024, bringing 20 years of experience across the health and social care sector and over eight years of senior and regional operations leadership. His professional background spans EBD (Emotional & Behavioural Difficulties) children’s residential care, SEMH services, severe learning disability provision, education, and 16+ supported accommodation regulated by both Ofsted and CQC. Within CQC-regulated environments, Jamie has overseen services supporting children and young adults with SEMH and severe LD, driving high-quality practice, safeguarding, and therapeutic consistency.
Jamie holds a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management, is qualified in CMI Coaching & Mentoring, and is currently pursuing a foundation degree in Operations Departmental Management. With a full Enhanced DBS clearance and extensive knowledge of the Children’s Home Regulations (England) 2015, Jamie is dedicated to supporting the growth of Bayleaf Care and delivering excellent care.
Associate Director Of Education
Charlotte is committed to supporting young people with autism, SEMH, challenging behaviour, and other complex needs. With over 20 years’ experience in various roles within education and care, she provides strong pastoral support, upholds safeguarding, promotes restraint reduction, and creates inclusive environments where every young person feels safe, valued, and able to thrive.
Operations Manager
Michelle has worked within the Children’s Residential Services since 2008 and has completed her Level 5 in Leadership and Management. Michelle has previous experience managing and RI over children’s homes and supporting Regional areas, gaining Good and Outstanding homes. with knowledge in Commissioning for Children’s homes.
Michelle has passion working in this field and providing high Quality Care to all young people and ensuring that staff development and knowledge is priority.
Business Development Manager & Nominated Individual
Rachel joins Bayleaf Care with a clear vision to strengthen and grow our services for the people of Burton and surrounding areas. With 15 years of experience in health and social care – and more than two years in senior regional roles – she brings a strong blend of passion, expertise, and leadership. She has previously worked as a Regional Operations Manager and held key positions including Regional Support Manager, Registered Manager, and Deputy Manager for some of the UK’s largest care providers.
Deeply committed to high-quality, person-centred support, Rachel is especially passionate about ensuring every young person in the Bayleaf family has the best opportunities to thrive. She holds a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management, is trained in Positive Behaviour Support, and has full Enhanced DBS clearance. With strong knowledge of CQC regulations, she is focused on driving Bayleaf Care’s growth and maintaining excellent standards for all our service users.
Registered Manager
George joined Bayleaf Care in May 2025, bringing over eight years of dedicated experience in the health and social care sector. Her background spans both semi-independent living and children’s residential settings, where she has held leadership roles that truly make a difference in young lives.
Currently, George is working toward her Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Children and Young People and is fully qualified to deliver safeguarding training. With her strong commitment to enhancing the emotional well‑being and happiness of children in her care, she embodies Bayleaf Care’s therapeutic, relationship‑focused ethos.
George is passionate about building trusting, nurturing environments where children can feel safe, valued, and supported to flourish. Her leadership continues to support our mission of transforming young lives through therapeutic, trauma‑informed care.
Registered Manager
Taz is the registered manager of Yew Tree. She has over 21 years experience supporting children and young people predominantly with a diagnosis of autism, learning difficulties, challenging behaviour and other associated complex/health needs.
Taranjit is trained to level 5 equivalent in Care and Management and is a designated safeguarding lead.
She is passionate about the care she provides to children and has fulfilled many roles in Children’s Homes, within her career and through her development she has become a successful Deputy and Registered Manager in large Children’s Home.
Manager
Anita joined Bayleaf Care in September 2025, bringing with me over 30 years of experience in social care. She is the manager at The Meadows. Anita’s journey began in children’s learning disabilities and adult mental health, but her true passion lies in supporting children and young people within residential care and supported living.
Over the years she has worked as both a Registered Manager and a Dual Registered Manager, leading services that support children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD), including those with complex needs and high-risk behaviours. Creating therapeutic, structured environments where young people feel safe and supported has always been central to her approach.
She promotes a therapeutic model of care that focuses on building genuine, trusting relationships with young people believing strongly in connection before correction as a guiding principle, helping young people feel understood and supported as they recover, make sense of their life experiences, and work towards their goals and aspirations.
Registered Manager
James is the registered manager of Postern Stables. He plans to take on a second home and becoming dual registered manage with Postern Stables & The Pastures. He has over 16 years experience supporting children and young people predominantly with a diagnosis of autism, learning difficulties, challenging behaviour and other associated complex/health needs. James has also support young people with Emotional and behavioural difficulties,
James is enrolled on a level 5 in leadership and management and is a designated safeguarding lead.
James is passionate and driven towards the care he provides to children and there family’s, Supporting young people to pushing though barriers and over come challenges. whilst ensuring the home and team provides a therapeutic and child centred approach to all aspects of care.
Head of HR
Hannah has over 10 years of experience in Human Resources in the education and charity sectors and holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the Open University and is a member of the CIPD.
With experience across all areas of HR including recruitment and selection, employee relations and organisational design, Hannah has a proven track record of developing and implementing effective HR strategies that align with business goals. Hannah is dedicated to fostering a positive work culture and ensuring the company’s HR practices support its continued growth and success for the benefit of the children in our care.
Talent Acquisition & Training Manager
I recruited into the social care sector for 25 years on an agency basis before joining Bayleaf's Talent Acquisition team in March 2025.
Director Of Overseas Operations & PA to the CEO
Maha Sethi is a Computer Science graduate with additional IT training from USAID and the World Bank’s Digital program. She supports Bayleaf Care with a range of administrative and coordination duties, drawing on experience in education, administration, and customer service.
Maha is committed to Bayleaf Care’s aim of providing therapeutic nurture, safety, and opportunity for children and young people. In her role, she is keen to contribute to the organisation’s ongoing development and its plans to expand support services internationally.