"his story is no different from the thousands of children who were placed in the care system back in the 70s"
"A diverse work portfolio within the care industry
Tony has worked in many areas at different levels gaining a wealth of experience which he has put to good use"
"The time finally came to take the next step Tony launched the academy task force"
"A product of the system  from a child to adult hood living in care and being raised by the system his empathy allows him to connect at a very different level than most sharing his story and experiences weather good or bad"
"He says"





Tony is the fourth eldest of six three of his siblings were placed in the care system alongside him some longer than others this was due to problems at home, but for Tony he spent all his adolescent years and early twenties in the care of the local authorities there were several attempts to reunite him with his family but sadly they were unsuccessful. 
By the age of eighteen Tony had spent twelve of those years in the care system. He was placed in various homes across the county in actual fact there were :
-  Two   Foster families   
-  Six     Children's homes   
-  Two   Community homes  
-  Two   Hostels
Twelve moves before the age of eighteen, the custodial sentences he received in his adolescent years and let's not forget the bag of problems that used to follow him.
Tony saw a way out and pinned his hopes on a career in the military, but unfortunately he was told he was not suitable due to having a criminal record.  Then as a young adult he had always expressed an interest in working with troubled young people and offenders in the same situations he had found himself in, due to his poor education he could not take the conventional route.
Not being deterred, he formulated a plan and his first step was to gain some recognised work he volunteered to join the YMCA befriending scheme working with adults and young people with disabilities and challenging behaviour working out in the gym, going shopping or just having a beer and a chat.  They say it was a pleasure to watch.
In October of 96 due to his persistence, he finally got the opportunity to join an organisation as a sessional worker under the supervision of the then called youth justice team.  It was here he started his training which nurtured the passion he has for the work he does today.  His empathy makes it easy for young people to engage which is clear for all to see. 
Working predominantly with young males who have been before the courts age fourteen to eighteen, his tasks ranged  from supervising clients on temporary release, activity sessions with clients on supervision orders, accompanying clients to court including those placed in secure units and.
With the help of the justice team and the YMCA Tony secured a position as a (RSW) residential social worker where he went from strength to strength.  Tony then joined their crisis intervention team where it became quite clear very quickly that Tony had something to offer.

He has worked with

-  Young people with learning disabilities                           
-  Adult offenders                                                             
-  Alcohol & drug dependency                                          
-  Elderly & the frail                                                         
-  Family mediation                                                                
-  Mental health                                                                      
-  Special care unit                                                                  
-  Residential social worker                                                   
-  Working with the deaf                                                        
-  Young people & adults with disabilities                          
-  Young people with challenging behaviour

Industry profile

CEO of a young people project 

Working with young people & adults with a variety of needs  
Pre-course training 
Working on a charitable community project for young people
Residential social worker
Working with vulnerable young offenders with challenging and disuruptive behaviour 
Support worker  
Adults and young people with challenging behaviour, learning disability  
Homeless 
Adults and young people with drug & alcohol dependency /substance abuse and mental health issues 
Youth Justice Team 
Working with young offenders
Activities Coordinator 
Working on a Charitable community project for young people

The next step for Tony

The time finally came to take the next step Tony launched the academy task force working with the local authorities over seeing the day-to-day operation with an office team and twenty-seven support workers provide
-  Supported Living
-  Activity-based support  
-  Family Support  
-  Supporting young people and adults in education
-  Young Offenders
-  Crisis Intervention

Tony & empathy

A product of the system  from a child to adult hood living in care and being raised by the system his empathy allows him to connect at a very different level than most sharing his story and experiences weather good or bad. Tony made his first court appearance in 1976 at the age of eleven he would tell you himself yes I was taken at an early age by the local authorities from a dysfunctional home and yes I was a product of the system for a time but he did eventually arrive at that crossroads after a very long journey and made a decision that dreadful journey that leads to trouble and nowhere had to end. 
And now one of his objective is to get a particular group of young people to their crossroads earlier rather than later like it was for him.
Statistically speaking Tony would be one of those with very little hope of achieving a life without crime due to he's precarious upbringing and lack of education mixed with the physical and mental abuse he endured at the hands of he's stepfather and people in a position of trust.  Well Tony has overcome all the odds and is here working today with young people. 
He says It's a great feeling to be part of that development process and watching a troubled young person grow and develop a positive outlook after weathering the storm to change their direction