OpenGate Education Central

As Head of Referrals & Partnerships at OpenGate Education Central, Hayley leads strategic relationships with local authorities, schools, trusts, families and wider professional networks to develop and secure high-quality alternative provision pathways for children and young people.

Her work centres on ensuring that provision is purposeful, outcomes-focused and responsive to individual need. Through short-term, trauma-informed interventions, OpenGate Central seeks to address the underlying drivers of Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, stabilise learners and create sustainable pathways towards safe and successful reintegration into education.

Hayley brings a strong background in operational leadership, safeguarding and specialist alternative provision within a local authority environment. This has given her extensive experience of leading complex, multi-agency relationships and working collaboratively with education settings, children and young people, families and external agencies to navigate challenges, manage risk and deliver positive outcomes.

Alongside her education and safeguarding experience, she has significant experience working in partnership with the NHS, where she has scoped, developed and implemented large-scale projects across multiple clinical specialties. These projects required strong strategic oversight, stakeholder engagement and contract management, with a consistent focus on quality, framework compliance, patient care and improving outcomes.

Her approach combines strong partnership development with effective contract and service management, ensuring that arrangements are underpinned by safeguarding, governance, compliance and a commitment to continuous improvement. She is passionate about building sustainable partnerships that translate into high-quality services and meaningful outcomes for children and young people.