ABOUT

I knew that working with children was my goal from a very young age. I didn't do particularly well at school so went straight into work at 16. After a decade working in schools and as a nanny, I  married a soldier, we moved to Germany, and started our own family.  As a stay-at-home mum, I re-took my GCSEs and studied Child Development and Psychology with the Open University. Back in the UK, I found my passion in early years and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), starting as a Portage Home Visitor and later, managing the service. I then progressed through various SEN leadership roles, including Head of SEN for a Local Authority.  In 2024 I realised my work no longer aligned with my values, and for my own wellbeing, I had to step away. The UK SEN system is overwhelmed, underfunded, and too often failing the children it exists to support. While my corporate career gave me invaluable experience, friendships, and insights, it ultimately took a toll on my heart and mind. Despite starting each day determined to make a difference, I found myself caught in a system that only creates barriers for families.Though I didn’t know it at the time, the idea for Navigating SEND Together was already forming, driven by my passion to truly help families navigating their own SEN journey.