Dimensions, one of the UK's largest not-for-profit organisations that supports people with learning disabilities and autism, has announced the appointment of Rachael Dodgson as its first female Chief Executive Officer.
Rachael has over thirty years of experience in the social care sector and has held the role of Managing Director at Dimensions since June 2019. Prior to this, she was Group Operations Director at Care Management Group Ltd and also acted as Head of Adult Social Care Policy for the Care Quality Commission, where she worked for over thirteen years.
Rachael will drive Dimensions' position as a constructive partner on critical issues within the social care sector. Her initial areas of focus will include improving workforce pay, status and esteem, addressing the ongoing national failure to get more people out of long stay hospitals and continuing to prove that with the right support in the right home environment, more people can lead independent, better lives.
As a recipient of the ‘Great Places to Work' award, Dimensions has consistently been a vocal advocate of increased pay for social care workers and Rachael - who has already contributed to the Health and Social Care Select Committee's inquiry into workforce - will continue to lobby for an improved workforce deal whilst amplifying the need for wide ranging policies that make social care an even better place to build a career.
Rachael Dodgson, CEO of Dimensions, said: "It's an incredible honour to lead an organisation that has always been committed to supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people to lead lives that are independent and fulfilling. Through our outstanding teams, the people we support will remain at the centre of their support and play an active role in their communities.
"I am determined to engage with government, local authorities and other stakeholders to ensure that the voices of both those we support, their families and our colleagues are heard at every level of decision-making.
"As CEO, I will work to build stronger relationships with partners across the sector. We all know what needs to change. By speaking as one, we can help government make good decisions."
