My Goal:
My goal is to enhance outcomes for children and young people who are experiencing specific learning difficulties which act as barriers to their learning and impedes them from developing their potential to the full. I aim to do this by offering high-quality training and development for teaching and non-teaching staff, which is cost-effective, relevant and based upon current research. In addition, I aim to offer holistic, detailed and accurate assessments of children and young people, offering judgements and advice based upon my extensive experience within the field.
The aim of my website is to create easy access to information for both parents and schools regarding special educational needs, and in particular specific learning difficulties. I am very aware of the complexities around identification and assessment and the vast differences experienced in access throughout the UK. I hope, through the information here,to disseminate best practice. I also hope I can make identifcation and access simpler by providing useful, up-to-date and appropriate information.
Key Principles:
I believe that:
- every individual is unique in terms of characteristics, interests, abilities, motivation and learning,
- every individual, from every walk of life, should have equal opportunities and equal access to appropriate provision and support,
- education systems should respond appropriately to every individual's diversity of needs; increasing participation and inclusion through quality and equity,
- every individual has a right to live a rewarding and fulfilling life irrespective of their level of disability and learning needs,
- every individual should be given the opportunity of reaching their full potential.
My Promise to you:
Assessments:
My assessments will respect the privacy of each individual and I shall only seek the information necessary to make an informed assessment of the individual strengths and weaknesses of the child. I shall always seek parental consent before sharing any information with schools or other professionals. I shall always act in the best interest of the child and family, providing assessment and advice based upon the needs identified through rigorous assessment. I shall inform parents of their rights and shall keep them fully informed throughout the assessment process. I shall offer impartial advice based upon the needs of the individual within the current legislative framework. I shall not offer information or advice relating to areas within which I am not trained.
I shall uphold the Code of Good Practice as outlined by The British Psychological Society (attached).
Training:
My aim is to deliver innovative and experiential training of the highest quality which is engaging and based upon current research and thinking. I aim to stimulate discussion around learning and provide a forum for teachers to begin to evaluate and reflect upon their practice. I shall uphold confidentility of individuals at all times and shall draw upon prior knowledge and experience alongside current research when developing training packages. I shall endeavour to make the training as tailor-made to the setting as possible based upon the information provided to me.