Background:

 

I am originally from East Yorkshire and completed both my degree and teacher training in York.

 

I eventually moved to Cockermouth in 1994 and subsequently met my husband.  We have two children one of whom attends a mainstream school whilst the other studies at university.

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​I have also worked in West Cumbria as a full time secondary teacher since moving to Cumbria, teaching English initially, for most of that time, then History, Religious Education and Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education (PSHEE) with a little bit of Geography, at one stage, thrown in for good measure!  For the majority of my teaching career, I have also worked as a pastoral middle leader: Deputy Head of Year, Head of Year, Key Stage 4 Manager, Head of College and finally as a Director of Learning.

 

In 2015 I left the teaching profession to enable me to give more time to my family and children, both of whom have a diagnosis of an Autistic Spectrum Condition.

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I have been a guest speaker at the University of Cumbria and the University of Northampton.

 

I am a Committee Member of ICAAN (Independent Community Autism Activity Network).

 

I  have also been a Navigator for the Triple A Project (All About Autism) and am a trained facilitator in the National Autistic Society 'Socialeyes' programme.

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I have an Enhanced Certificate from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS).

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In May 2018 I attended a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England course and am now a Youth Mental Health First Aider.

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I have an up-to-date Safeguarding certificate from Cumbria LSCB (Cumbria Local Safeguarding Children Board): Safeguarding Everyone - Protecting Children, Young People and Adults at Risk).

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In January 2022, I was trained By Peter Vermeulen (author of Autism as Context Blindness,

Autistic Thinking - This is The Tile and I Am Special) as a H.A.P.P.Y. Coach. 

 

 

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My approach:

 

My services are tailored to your needs.  There is not an 'off the shelf' package as any service around autism very much depends on what you require.

 

I will work with you on an individualised basis.  I will initially discuss your requirements with you, determining what your needs are: 1:1 support for an individual with ASC, family support, advice and guidance or training needs.

 

Contact me by email for further details.

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