I qualified as an Educational Psychologist (EP) in 1998 and subsequently began employment as a Local Authority EP. I have continued to work in this capacity for a number of Local Authorities on either a full-time, part-time or locum basis.
I have a wide range of experience working with children, young people and adults. I have overseen and directly delivered a range of interventions to support individuals with learning difficulties, social, emotional and behavioural difficulties as well as complex psychological and mental health issues.
As a Local Authority EP, my role has included assessment, support and interventions for children and young people between the ages of 0 to 16 years.
I provide advice to schools to enable them to develop more effective support for individuals with a wide range of additional needs, from specific learning difficulties to social, emotional and behavioural difficulties as well as mental health and physical needs. My work involves individual assessments and observations alongside consultations with parents, school staff and a range of other professionals.
I have also delivered training on a range of subjects, including Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Learning styles, Emotional Intelligence, Stress Management, ADHD and Specific Learning Difficulties.
In addition to working with individuals, I have worked with groups and organisations to support them through change and growth and to help them identify and work towards future goals. I have supported organisations through highly stressful experiences and periods of significant change.
I am experienced in working with adults from a range of backgrounds and professions and am able to provide flexible and individualised support as required. I have experience of working with families to facilitate more effective communication and develop strategies to manage family issues and build relationships. I am able to facilitate restorative conferences to support conflict resolution in a range of situations, and am experienced in chairing CAF (Common Assessment Framework) meetings as part of Safeguarding procedures.
I have delivered lectures and seminars at both the Leeds Metropolitan University and the University of Leeds in the area of Educational Psychology and special educational needs. In addition to this, I have been involved in setting and grading the undergraduate Psychology degree examination in this module.
As a qualified primary school teacher, I have worked with children in mainstream primary schools and also within my own private children’s day nursery. This was established by myself after identifying a need in the area and involved devising a business plan to secure funding, purchasing and converting a former farm house to meet with the requirements of a range of governing bodies (ie OfSTED, Local Authority, Health and Safety etc), recruiting and training a range of staff, marketing and management. The resulting business was a thriving, successful day nursery, with 80 children on role within 3 years. I was able to apply my knowledge and skills as a teacher and psychologist to ensure high levels of care and education for the children attending my nursery.