Learning difficulties support company expands in Birmingham
A COMPANY helping adults with learning difficulties to master new skills is expanding its operations in south Birmingham.
Care First Management Services, based in Great Barr, has taken a five year lease on a property in Kings Heath.
Set to celebrate its 20th anniversary next year, the business has five centres in the Great Barr area and others at Wolverhampton and Tamworth.
The new operation will extend coverage to the Kings Heath, Kings Norton, Solihull and Shirley areas by launching both the new base and another in Hopwood.
Funded by local councils and NHS clinical commissioning groups on a case-by-case basis, the move represents a major expansion.
It will likely mean additions to Care First Management Services near 50-strong team of tutors, classroom assistants and administrators.
Finance director Neil Thorogood said: “We will be recruiting a very significant number of new staff.”
Under the Skills Tank brand and community interest company, Community Prospects, the organisation provides practical-based learning opportunities for adults with learning difficulties, autism, mental health issues and challenging behaviour. Courses include gardening, bicycle repairs, woodwork, horticulture and crafts.
Thorogood added: “It is about offering independence, skills and quality of life so individuals become more assured and confident.
“Taylor Road is a stand-alone building with lots of rooms capable of staging different activities along with a garden which can be enjoyed. It is in an excellent location to cover a big catchment area, close to public transport and with the opportunity to go out into the community.”
The relocation was achieved with help from Redditch property agents John Truslove, whose director Ian Parker said: “Care First Management Services are a fantastic business operating in a very challenging environment.
“They do wonderful work and we were thrilled to be able to help them grow and develop by identifying this site as an additional training centre.”
