HPCI CIC Directors & Staff

I live in St Albans and have two sons, aged 19 & 20. The youngest was born with Down’s Syndrome and is also partially sighted.  Both my sons went to the same mainstream Primary & Secondary schools in St Albans. The oldest is now at university and the youngest is on a 2 year BTEC performing Arts course having previously completed a 2 year Landmark course at Oaklands College.

I am a trained Independent supporter and work for myself in a range of different roles including teaching Orienteering in schools and training students for their Duke of Edinburgh’s expedition.

I represent parent carers at Hertfordshire County Council meetings on the Post 16 (Preparing for Adulthood) work streams and am also involved in improving the Herts SEND Local offer website.

I live in Hitchin (North Herts) and have two children, one with Autism, learning difficulties and ADHD, who attended a Herts SLD special school, and one with ADHD, autism and Tourette’s Syndrome who attended a mainstream school. Both of them are now in college. I I have been involved in running Angels Support Group since it began in 2003. Angels is a parent-led support charity for families in North Herts and Stevenage who have children with ASD or ADHD. Through Angels I have met so many parents who inspire me with the way they tackle the challenges they face so positively, and I am passionate about getting across the parental perspective to service providers. By working together, we can ensure the services truly meet the needs of children with SEND and their families. I am one of the founding members of HPCI.

My name is Sylvia and I live in East Herts. I am mum to our two children, both of whom attend Mainstream school. Before I had my children I worked for 15 years, qualifying as a Chartered Management Accountant. I have first-hand knowledge of the challenges and constraints of Government funding, and I am a firm believer in value for money. I am delighted to have the opportunity to work as part of HPCI. By helping to strengthen parent carer involvement across the County, together we can make sure that money is spent effectively and that services provided by the Local Authority and Health best meet the needs of children with SEND and their families.

I am the mother of three children. My oldest has ASD, ADHD and an (undiagnosed) neuromuscular disorder and my youngest has complex health needs as well as an undiagnosed neuromuscular disorder which means he is a full-time wheelchair user. I sit on various advisory boards for disabled children’s charities and the NHS and I’m the SEND governor for a primary school in St Albans. I am also co-director of Special Needs Jungle.

We live in Welwyn. Our youngest child, was born at 28 weeks, he spent his first two years in and out of hospital. At the age of 4 he was diagnosed with septo-optic dysplasia, a hormonal disorder, autism, learning difficulties, some physical difficulties and visual impairment. He is also charming and very happy! Managing my son’s needs, including many hospital appointments, led me to give up a busy career in sales & marketing to become a full time parent carer. I ran a local SANDS (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death) support group for parents for ten years, and have been a school governor since 2002, at two Hertfordshire schools.

We live in Brookmans Park and my youngest son has Cerebral Palsy. He is currently in a mainstream secondary school. He is involved with many sporting activities and at this time aspires to be a Paralympian.

I work in Local Government doing SEND Tribunals and Mediations . I am a qualified solicitor who deals with Education and Criminal Law and previously worked in Central government . I am also a Local Authority Governor of a Secondary school. Most importantly I’m a mum with a child with special educational needs and like many others , want to make things better, accessible and fairer for all.

Our family have been involved with a charity called Cerebra as well as part of the Disability Unit within the Cabinet Office.

I live in Pirton and have two children, one of whom is neurodiverse and attends a specialist secondary school in Hertfordshire.  Prior to having my children I was an employment lawyer in an international law firm.  I retrained after my first child was born and now teach the piano and flute both from home and in local schools, which enables me to better meet the demands of being a parent carer.  I have advised on the IPSEA advice line for a number of years and helped empower many parents to seek the right education, health and social care for their children.  As an educator I am passionate about ensuring all children have access to an education that meets their needs and enables them to reach their full potential and, as a parent of a child with complex needs, I am determined to ensure parent carer voices are heard.

I am a single parent to three children (two girls and one boy) and we live in Hitchin.  My daughters are diagnosed with multiple conditions such as Autism, ADHD, social anxiety, tics and physical disabilities.  Both are also Dyscalculic, and one is Dyslexic.

I was a local primary school teacher for Hertfordshire County Council for over 20 years and have vast experience in working in various different types of schools and catchments.  Since stopping teaching and being a parent carer, I have used my skills and experience to be a Parent Rep for HPCI and also a School Appeals Panel Member.

I have also been a parent governor all throughout my son’s schooling and through some of my daughters’, to ensure that their schools are providing the best for all and being that critical friend.  I am neuro diverse myself and this has helped me understand why I am proactive and believe that everyone should have the opportunity to achieve the best they can.

My name is Siobhann – I live in Welwyn and I’m a mum of two. My son is 10 and my daughter 12. They both are autistic with ADHD, with varying degrees of learning difficulties. My daughter also has specific learning difficulties. My son has a complex mix of health needs. They both, after a challenging time in school, attend specialist schools. I myself have specific learning difficulties and have a sibling with additional needs. I am passionate about children getting the support they deserve in all areas of life. I have for 5 years been within the scouting movement and thoroughly enjoy it.

Prior to having children, I worked within adult mental health and care sector. For the last five years I have had the absolute pleasure of being a part of Families in Focus, a Hertfordshire based organisation supporting parents all over the county. This has empowered me as a parent, as an advocate for my children and gave me confidence to join HPCI as a parent representative, something I have thoroughly enjoyed for three years now. Through all of this work I have returned to university and am currently working on my law degree. I have a particular interest in EHCPs and SEN support in schools.

I live in Stevenage and have two children, one of whom is autistic and is now attending mainstream college. Before becoming an HPCI parent rep and more recently a member of staff, I worked as a Teaching Assistant in Hertfordshire primary schools, including two years as a one to one for children with disabilities, at the same time as completing an Education Studies degree. I am currently co-ordinating HPCI’s parent/carer reps and involvement work. As a rep I sit on the CAMHS Parent Carer Forum and various Preparing for Adulthood workstreams, as well as being parent lead for the Hertfordshire Autism in Schools Project.

(I am currently taking leave from HPCI – please forward any queries to Kate in my absence).

I live in Harpenden and have two children, one of whom has Autism, SPD and severe anxiety disorder.  He now attends a specialist secondary school out of county. Before my most important role as a parent carer, I worked in the field of market and consumer research, including working for Mintel where I was a Retail and Market analyst. More recently, I have worked within pre-school settings as a nursery assistant and key worker for a young person with Cerebral Palsy. I now provide administrative support to the HPCI Board and representatives.

I live in Berkhamsted and have two children, one of whom is autistic and has ADHD and learning difficulties. Before taking a career break to care for my son, I worked in government for sixteen years, mainly focussing on homelessness policy. More recently, I have worked with a local charity that helps vulnerable adults move on from housing difficulties towards independent living. I now manage HPCI’s membership administration and lead on communications – our newsletter, social media and webinars.