Pineapple Care is a family run Care and Support Agency registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Having spent years working for and with large organisations and local authorities, Lavena Babbs, the Managing Director, decided that it was the right time to fulfil her lifetime ambition of starting her own care business. All three Directors have been working in the Domiciliary care / support sector at senior management level for over 10 years. Pineapple Care prides itself in supplying care and support workers to people living in the community and to those in residential and day care settings. Our aim is to help and assist service users in and outside of their own home, as safely and independently as possible, and with respect to every individual’s choice, well-being, privacy, and dignity, cultural, ethnic and religious beliefs.
Our objectives are to deliver our services in line with current legislation and the expectations of individuals, local authorities, our own and other relevant parties wherever possible. We are subject to regular inspections including announced and unannounced visits and must demonstrate our competence in providing a safe, professional and quality service at all times. A copy of our statement of purpose can be found displayed at our office and on our website; alternatively you can request a copy via e-mail or post.
Pineapple Care are committed to providing a high quality service and will always welcome any feedback or comments on the service we provide. We understand that receiving care and support, particularly for the first time, may be an overwhelming experience and cause anxieties to some service user groups. The service user guide is intended to provide you with an outline of what you may expect from us, and the service we provide.
Managing Director – Lavena Babbs
Lavena has a vast amount of knowledge and experience within the care / support industry holding senior positions within the private sector and local authority.
Lavena started her career as a care / support worker, supporting older adults needing personal care, and working with younger adults with autism, and learning disabilities. Lavena achieved her Registered Manager’s status in 2006, and has since utilised her knowledge and skills to support and manage other Registered Managers at Senior Area Manager Level across Essex. During her career, Lavena has also managed services specialising in autism and learning disabilities.
Lavena will be working on a day to day basis with Nicola, to maintain high standards of care and support, and is ideally suited to this role having a wealth of experience in both care and general business management. Lavena has also owned her own recruitment business, and is passionate and enthusiastic about ensuring Pineapple Care Services delivers extremely high standards of care.
Tel: 01375 808303
email: lavena@pineapple.care
Operations Director – Nicola Lloyd
Nicola has worked in the care industry since 2005. Nicola has experience in working in various departments covering all aspects of care and delivery of support. Nicola has an excellent reputation working in partnership with local authorities and other professionals. Nicola has held various roles including being a senior care team manager within a large provider of care, and also working part time within a local authority. Nicola is passionate about delivering a high standard of care and support, whilst also ensuring that our staff feel valued and supported.
Nicola will be working along side the Managing Director and the Commercial & Finance Director, both of whom have a vast amount of Senior Management experience and knowledge within the Care industry, general business and also the local area where care and support is being provided.
Tel: 01375 808303
email: nicola@pineapple.care
PA to Directors – Leeann Stanley
Leeann joined Pineapple in January 2024. Leeann joined Pineapple Care from Santander with twenty-six years financial experience, stakeholder management, organising and prioritising skills and delivering to tight deadlines. Since joining Pineapple Care and assisting our Company Directors, Leeann has shown she is a true team player and enjoys helping and supporting internal staff, our carers, our service users and students by being on hand to help in any way possible.
Leeann’s says: Since joining Pineapple, I have been overwhelmed to learn how Pineapple Care supports people by truly demonstrating person centred care.
Tel: 01375 808759
email: PA@pineapple.care
Branch Manager – Lisa Evans
Lisa has joined the Pineapple Care team as a carer in October 2017. She has brought in a wealth of experience having started her career in care in late 1990’s. Since being part of Pineapple Care Lisa has completed further qualification, achieving Level 5 Diploma In Leadership For Health & Social Care.
Lisa takes great pride and enjoyment in supporting the care team and Pineapple Care clients. She is passionate about assisting carers in achieving their goals and reaching their full potential.
Lisa says: I love my job at Pineapple Care. Lavena has been a great mentor to me, she has helped me reach my dream in becoming a manager in domiciliary care. I like to be involved with clients and their family members and making a difference to their lives.
Tel: 01375 803339
email: lisa@pineapple.care
Quality Control Manager – Nicola Manning
Nicola joined the Pineapple Care team in October 2024 as the Quality Control Manager, bringing 23 years of management experience in ensuring the highest standards of quality. Nicola’s passion for continuous improvement and dedication to upholding excellence will help drive Pineapple’s commitment to delivering top quality care to our clients.
Nicola says: I am excited to be part of team Pineapple and I look forward to working closely with the talented team to achieve even greater levels of customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Tel: 01375 803334
email: quality@pineapple.care
Deputy Manager and Medication Officer – Hayley Gray
Hayley joined Pineapple Care in October 2021 as the Medication Officer after working in the care sector for over 20 years. Hayley started her career as a Home Care Worker and held various roles since, including at management level. Hayley also gained knowledge through further distance learning such as Dementia awareness, Medication Awareness, fall prevention and managing behaviour that is challenging. Hayley has a variety of qualifications and experience and believes in supporting clients as well as the carers is the only way to provide the best service.
Hayley cannot speak highly of the service, dedication and support that Pineapple Care gives to their customers and the carers within this industry.
Tel: 01375 808999
email: hayley.gray@pineapple.care
Coordinating Team Leader – Paris Shovlar
Paris joined Pineapple care in 2017 as a care worker. It was quickly identified that Paris had the ability to build great relationships with service users and staff to which she was appointed to the position of care coordinator. Paris has been successful in this role for the last three and a half years, achieving promotion in December 2022 to coordinating Team Leader.
Paris says: I love making sure our clients and carers feel safe and supported, while working for Pineapple Care I have gained self-confidence, and the ability to be honest about how I really feel. I have been able to achieve this with the support of my work colleagues and management team. I am looking forward being a part of Pineapple Care as we grow even more.
Tel: 01375 803336
email: allcoordinators@pineapple.care
Quality Control Administrator – Samantha Maffey congratulations on recent promotion
Samantha joined Pineapple Care in December 2022, as a Recruitment Officer after 18 years in retail and 4 years in domiciliary care. Since joining Pineapple Care Samantha has completed further qualifications, achieving a level 7 Diploma in Recruitment Management and a level 2 LGBT inclusion in the workplace.Samantha has taken to her job role very quickly and is a very organised individual and passionate about getting things done efficiently. It’s lovely to see how Samantha builds up relationships with not only the office and care staff but also the service users while on the telephone to them.
Samantha has been successful in her role, achieving promotion to a new role of a Quality Control Administrator.
Samantha Says: I love working in an office environment that is full of fun and laughter. I love the help and support that I get from my colleagues and the management team.
Tel: 01375 808817
email: recruitment@pineapple.care
Trainer – Lisa Clemson
Lisa Clemson joined Pineapple Care in August 2020 as a carer and progressed into the trainers position in September 2023. Whilst completing the trainers position Lisa has completed various training courses including a Cache Level 2 in Dementia and various bitesize training sessions to help develop her knowledge and share this with the carers. Lisa is also an ‘Every mind Champion’ and holds the role of Pineapple Care’s in house counsellor qualified to Cache Level 2 in counselling skills.
Lisa says: I love my position and will always strive to deliver the very best training I can and I am always open for an informal coffee and a chat if anyone needs to talk.
Tel: 01375 808303
email: training@pineapple.care
Learning Disabilities Manager – Lucy Champion
Lucy joined Pineapple Care in April 2022, with 14 years of experience within the SEN education sector. Lucy’s positive attitude, enthusiasm and passion for supporting individuals with learning difficulties quickly became identified and in December 2022, Lucy was promoted to her new role as LD Team Manager. Lucy’s role involves communicating with health and social care professionals, employing the best support workers to support our service users and working in partnership with families to help build individual confidence, self-esteem, and independence, bringing families together by inclusion. In June 2024, Lucy took on a new responsibility to manage our residential home, Pineapple Lodge. Lucy’s previous experience, knowledge and positive attitude allows her to support residents and their needs, manage a LD team, and continue working with professionals to provide the best possible care for all service users.
Lucy says: “I am passionate and committed to making a difference to people’s lives. I thrive in seeing individuals with learning disabilities grow and transform their lives to a more independent one”. I absolutely love what I do, it’s the most rewarding job ever.
Tel: 01375 803333
email: lucy@pineapple.care
Deputy Manager Learning Disabilities – Justyna Czuj
Justyna joined Pineapple Care in February 2022 as a Learning Support Assistant, before becoming an LD Team Co-Ordinator in November 2022. This role entailed creating risk assessments, coordinating all staff within the LD Team, ensuring Quality Assurance is kept to its highest standard, and creating social plans for service users. Justyna’s passion for supporting individuals with learning disabilities, especially those with complex needs, was quickly identified as she progressed in her role and was promoted to Learning Difficulties Team Leader in February 2024. Justyna has recently been promoted to her new role.
Justyna says: I love making a difference to individual’s life’s, helping them to become confident and independent. I believe everyone deserves equal opportunities in life, no matter their needs. I look forward to continuing to make all our service user’s happy, content, and for them to have a purpose in life, including our residents at our new residential home, Pineapple Lodge.
Tel: 01375 803425
email: LD@pineapple.care
Learning Disabilities Coordinator – Naomi Runeckles
Naomi Joined Pineapple Care in February 2024 as the LD Coordinator. Naomi previously worked in the Early Years sector as a Nursery Manager. Naomi worked in the Early Years sector for over 17 years and has a wide range of experience supporting children with SEN and working alongside local authorities and other professionals.
Since Joining Pineapple Care Naomi has completed her Level 2 certificate in understanding Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health advocacy in the workplace.
Naomi has been given the opportunity to help run and support our residential home. She has bought past managerial knowledge and experience to this role to help provide the best outcomes for all of our Pineapple Lodge residents and staff.
Naomi says: I am passionate and committed to providing the best opportunities and outcomes for all those that we support. I love seeing each individual thrive in the community and watch them become more confident and grow. I am excited to progress within my career at Pineapple Care.
Tel: 01375 800902
email: LD@pineapple.care
Learning Disabilities Coordinator – Talia Forrest
Talia joined Pineapple Care as a Support Worker and has recently moved to the internal team.
Talia says: I absolutely love my job it makes me smile when I see individuals doing well becoming more confident. I am proud of all our service users becoming independent in their own ways and thriving in life. I believe everyone deserves equal opportunities no matter their disability. I am so excited to see what the future holds for me at Pineapple Care.
Tel: 01375 803337
email: LD@pineapple.care
Support Dog – Bazil
Bazil joined the Pineapple team in February 2021. He is a support dog for our clients and wellbeing support for the internal and care staff. He regularly joins in charity walks and events and is a valuable and very much loved member of our team.