DP Support Ltd. is your Personal Assistant Company.
Meet The Team
Phil Higham. Company Director
Karen Higham. Compliance Manager
Dave O'Brien. Company Director
Hi, my name is Philip Higham and I’ve worked in the care industry for over 30 years. I’ve worked with and supported young people (4/19 years) in educational and residential settings, supported adults to live in their own homes and I've managed those services too. I hold my Registered Managers Award and have been registered with the Care Q
Hi, my name is Philip Higham and I’ve worked in the care industry for over 30 years. I’ve worked with and supported young people (4/19 years) in educational and residential settings, supported adults to live in their own homes and I've managed those services too. I hold my Registered Managers Award and have been registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for many years.
I’m passionate about the care and support I provide, whether that be working with and supporting someone myself or managing and running the company which supports you. Quality, being person centred and giving the best support I can is at the heart of everything I do.
I’m an organised manager with strong person led management skills and abilities. My objectives: to be the best manager I can be, support my staff members, my colleagues and my customers in the way I would like to be treated; with dignity and respect!
Dave O'Brien. Company Director
Karen Higham. Compliance Manager
Dave O'Brien. Company Director
Before beginning work in the care industry in the mid 1990s I had office-based jobs with the Official Receiver in Bankruptcy and Guardian Royal Exchange. Though good jobs I never felt pushed in these roles or that I was achieving any tangible outcome.
My care career began as a support worker with Ormerod Home Trust, initially working in a
Before beginning work in the care industry in the mid 1990s I had office-based jobs with the Official Receiver in Bankruptcy and Guardian Royal Exchange. Though good jobs I never felt pushed in these roles or that I was achieving any tangible outcome.
My care career began as a support worker with Ormerod Home Trust, initially working in a large former hotel where approximately 50/60 people lived. Not long into my career the transition began into smaller, community based houses which provided service users with enhanced levels of support and more time with their committed staff team.
During my time with the company I worked in the majority of the houses and supported many people as well as a spell as deputy manager in the day service. I worked my way up to being a Service Manager, overseeing the running of several houses as well as being a CQC Registered Manager.
I achieved NVQ Levels 2, 3 & 4 in care as well as NVQ Level 4 in Leadership & Management in the Care Sector.
Following this I worked for Home Instead Senior care where my responsibilities included managing the rota system but also providing some hands-on support.
In 2016 myself and my business partner (Phil Higham) set up and ran Wave Supported Lives Ltd. This company achieved a ‘Good’ CQC rating and offered. 12 self-contained apartments were created in St. Annes providing quality housing for people with a learning disability or enduring mental health problems. This company was sold to investment company Allerton in 2019 and I remained with the company until 2021. Whilst here I completed my QCF Level 5 in Care.
In February 2021 I took the opportunity to become Business development and Quality Manager with MAK Community Care Ltd and opened their Lancashire Office with the same business partner I had opened ‘Wave’ with. The moved was based on the values and desire for high quality service that mirrored our own when setting up ‘Wave’. We are a small company and like the opportunity this gives us to spend more focused time with the people we support and support them to achieve their goals and positive outcomes. MAK Community Care Ltd has been inspected by the CQC and is rated ‘Good’ and has recently been accepted onto the Lancashire County Council Approved Provider List.
Following on and for many reasons Phil and I decided it was time to ‘go it alone’ again and DP Support Ltd was born on 18th July 2022. Again, a small, bespoke, adaptable domiciliary care and support provider. DP (Direct Payment – not Dave & Phil) continues to grow at a steady rate and prides itself on providing a quality, tailored service for the people that use it.
Karen Higham. Compliance Manager
Karen Higham. Compliance Manager
Karen Higham. Compliance Manager
Hi, my name is Karen, and I am the new Compliance Manager at DP Support. My role involves predominantly human resources and health and safety.
My background for the past sixteen years has been in business administration and finance. Prior to that role I worked for Lancashire County Council Social Services Department as a Community Support
Hi, my name is Karen, and I am the new Compliance Manager at DP Support. My role involves predominantly human resources and health and safety.
My background for the past sixteen years has been in business administration and finance. Prior to that role I worked for Lancashire County Council Social Services Department as a Community Support Worker.
I have come to work for DP Support as I have a lot to offer the company with my experience and skill set. I have a great passion for supporting adults with disabilities and love to make a difference to their lives.
Outside of work I am married with three grown up children who live at various locations around the UK. I work part time as a fully qualified medic at local events. I enjoy reading, gardening, and travel.
My husband and I have a cocker spaniel Frankie who has become the DP Support mascot dog, and he is thoroughly spoiled by visitors to the office.
Jo Price. Lead Support Worker
Jo Price. Lead Support Worker
Karen Higham. Compliance Manager
Hi, my names Joanne (Jo)
I started working for DP support just over a year ago.
I spent 15 years working in hospitality and management and wanted a career change.
I was brought up around the health and social industry and knew I'd like to be a part of it some day.
I've been a support worker for 4 years now and
one of the most rewarding thing
Hi, my names Joanne (Jo)
I started working for DP support just over a year ago.
I spent 15 years working in hospitality and management and wanted a career change.
I was brought up around the health and social industry and knew I'd like to be a part of it some day.
I've been a support worker for 4 years now and
one of the most rewarding things is seeing how you can make a difference to people's lives.
When I'm not working I love staying active. I enjoy hiking, running and the great outdoors and spend alot of time with my family.
Phil Timperley
Jo Price. Lead Support Worker
Phil Timperley
Hi I'm Phil.
Im a retired company director enjoying my time as a support worker.
I'm married with 2 grown up daughters, and five grandchildren. I'm also a keen Fleetwood town supporter.
Sarah Padgett
Jo Price. Lead Support Worker
Phil Timperley
My name is sarah and I am fun, outgoing and experienced support worker with over 20 years of experience in the care industry. I love doing arts and crafts activities, swimming and spending time with my children.
I have my level 3 health and social care qualification and am first aid trained. I am also a certified teaching assistant and enjoy reading.
Mike Thwaites
Joanne Thwaites
Joanne Thwaites
Hi my name is Michael Thwaites, I currently work at DP Support as a support worker and 'together we can do' as head sports coach. I'm outgoing, fun and love a good laugh. I have a degree in sport, level 2 in football and level 1 in futsal. I have a lot of enthusiasm when it comes to being a support worker as it allows me to make a differ
Hi my name is Michael Thwaites, I currently work at DP Support as a support worker and 'together we can do' as head sports coach. I'm outgoing, fun and love a good laugh. I have a degree in sport, level 2 in football and level 1 in futsal. I have a lot of enthusiasm when it comes to being a support worker as it allows me to make a difference. I have a brother who has autism and epilepsy so that has given me a lot of experience since a young age and helped me figure out that working as a support worker and a coach in disability sport is what I wanted to do in my life.
Joanne Thwaites
Joanne Thwaites
Joanne Thwaites
Hi my name is Joanne Thwaites, I started working with DP Support in early 2024, I am also a level 2 multi-sports coach and level 1 netball coach at 'Together we can do' working with adults with additional needs. I have 3 grown up children with one of my adult children having autism and epilepsy. I enjoy being a support worker as I can us
Hi my name is Joanne Thwaites, I started working with DP Support in early 2024, I am also a level 2 multi-sports coach and level 1 netball coach at 'Together we can do' working with adults with additional needs. I have 3 grown up children with one of my adult children having autism and epilepsy. I enjoy being a support worker as I can use my experiences to help the people I support in their everyday lives.