I am married with three children; my youngest child has a sensory processing disorder and ADHD, I have three granddaughters and three cats!
I have had a varied career within the NHS, Local Authorities and for the voluntary & Independent Sectors too. I have lectured at FE and sixth form colleges, working and supporting children, young people and families as practitioner and as a manager. I have previously been part of the development of SEND, a project team lead for SEND and Early Support teams across different local authorities.
My Qualifications include: BA (Joint) Hons Early Years Education and Disability studies and NPQICL in Children Centre Leadership and Management, Adult Teaching Cert. Ed, Early Support trainer and mentor, Speech & Lang. Dip, IPSEA Legal training Levels 2 Playgroup Practice Dip, Autism studies Dip, Safe Guarding, Gymnastics Coach & Tutor for Men’s and Pre-School BAGA
I am married with three children and two cats. My children have a range of SEND and Sensory characteristics. I have developed much of my professional outlook and ways of working from my personal experiences from parenting unique and neurologically diverse children. I would say that I have an in-depth understanding of parental concerns for children and young people with SEND and how challenging daily living can be. This knowledge and experience are the basis of my determination to support families to feel empowered to be able to support their own children at home, in education or out in the community and feel more confident to do so.
I have worked across a range of organisations and gathered practical experiences from working with young people, families and children through my work in Early Years Settings and Youth Projects both in the private and voluntary sector. I have supported parents and carers for many years initially as a volunteer Parental Supporter and later as a SENDIASS Officer. I have co-produced and supported the development of SEND processes’ and fought for the improvement of services for young people with SEND and Autism including training to professionals ensuring that voices of young people and their families are central to all discussions and decision making. I have been actively involved in improving outcomes for children and young people in education and health in my role within local authorities.
I have long been an advocate for training that both informs and empowers the participants and have devised and delivered training to a range of practitioners and families that has been both useful and practical. Additionally, I have been involved in drama and theatre and this creativity has supported development of several youth groups and activity clubs, more recently with Sara our ‘Smart Bright Young Things’ SEN Youth Group. Girl Guiding is also important to me and the creation of opportunities for girls and young women.
Qualifications and training include: IPSEA Legal Training Levels 1,2&3, EHCP Plan Writer. The Independent Supporter. Supporting Children & Young People, The Voice of the Child, Health & Social Care in EHC Plans. Parent Partnership Parental Supporter Qualification. NAMCW Cert. Dip, Youth & Community Cert. Dip. Teaching & Learning for adults: PTTLS, Autism & Girls cert, Understanding and Supporting ADHD cert. Understanding and supporting Eating Disorders. A Safe Space GirlGuidingUK Levels 1,2&3
