Hello, my name is Melissa Hammond. I’m the Registered Manager at Arun Hope.

I qualified as a Social Worker in 2004 and have since worked directly with and supported many children and their families, and managed an array of children’s services and residential settings throughout West Sussex, Hampshire, Essex, London, Kent and Birmingham, including focus on Emotional Health and Wellbeing, Early Help, Edge of Care, Children in Need, Children Looked After, Safeguarding, PLO, Care Proceedings, Leaving Care and Supported Accommodation, Adoption Services, and Children with Disabilities.

Throughout my direct work and engaging in teamwork, I came to realise that my passion sits with supporting others to develop new skills and to enable them to be the best they can be through reaching their full potential to learn, grow and develop as individuals, whether it be children, families or supporting colleagues and peers alike.

I love my role at Arun Hope and feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to create such an amazing assessment centre, to support families and their children with the chance to improve their lives and remain together. We have a talented multi-professional team, with a wealth of knowledge and experience in therapeutic parenting, ready to support all who walk through the doors at the centre.

When I’m not at work, I love spending time with my family and friends, planning trips away. I have a desire to travel around the world and consider myself a bit of a globe trotter in the making! I love experiencing different cultures and trying new things and over the last few years have realised the positive and calming benefits of breathwork, yoga and meditation in reducing stress in the body.