Liam Matthews joined Esland as a Residential Care Worker and progressed through to Senior before becoming Registered Manager at The Retreat, one of our residential homes in the East Midlands. Passionate about resilience, development and positive outcomes, Liam is committed to supporting young people to grow in confidence and independence while building strong, capable teams around them.

Hi, my name is Liam Matthews, and I’m the Registered Manager at The Retreat, one of our residential homes in the East Midlands region. I’ve been part of Esland for several years and have grown alongside the organisation during that time.

My journey so far

I joined Esland as a Residential Care Worker at Oakwood House after my brother suggested it as a potential career path, knowing my background in adult care. At the time, I wasn’t focused on progression. I simply wanted to do meaningful work and support young people in a way that made a difference.

After gaining experience at Oakwood, I moved to Mappleton Lodge, where I progressed into a Senior role. I spent several years developing my knowledge, building confidence, and learning from experienced managers and deputies. That time gave me a strong foundation and helped me understand the responsibility that comes with leadership.

Through shared learning and encouragement from those around me, I found the confidence to take the next step. I now lead The Retreat, supporting both the young people who live there and the team who care for them.

Purpose, people and progression

The biggest reason I’ve stayed at Esland is the young people. Watching them grow, build resilience, and develop the skills they need to live independently is something that never loses its impact. Being part of that journey, especially through challenging periods, and seeing them begin to believe in themselves makes the role incredibly meaningful.

I’ve also built strong friendships with colleagues over the years. The support from managers and regional leadership has helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. Progression wasn’t something I actively planned, but through developing my practice and learning from others, I began to see what I was capable of, both for the young people and the team around me.

As the organisation has evolved, so has the support available to staff, making it possible to step into leadership with confidence.

No two days are the same

Residential childcare doesn’t come with predictable days, and that’s something I value. My role includes oversight, documentation and ensuring standards are met, but I still prioritise being present with young people whenever I can.

There’s structure and accountability but also humour and connection. One standout moment for me was supporting a young person to learn how to ride a bike. It may seem small, but it became a turning point for them, building confidence and supporting their wellbeing. Moments like that stay with you.

 

Growth, resilience and values

Resilience has been one of the most important areas of growth for me. Understanding the pressures of the role and responding calmly and consistently is essential. I’ve also developed confidence in supporting others, particularly around legislative frameworks and guiding teams in best practice.

Becoming a trainer for our behaviour support programme has strengthened my leadership skills further and increased my confidence in supporting both new and experienced colleagues.

The values that resonate most with me are Fun and Curious. Positivity and humour help build strong relationships with young people, while curiosity has driven my development and encouraged me to keep learning and improving practice.