Who we are - Meet the Team: SENDIS

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Section: Who we are

Meet the Team: SENDIS


As an organisation the WPCC is managed by Stuart Hall, our Strategic Director. The WPCC is made up of two teams, the Participation and Consultation Service and the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Service (SENDIS). The SENDIS Service has two Information Officers, and in 2018 we were able to grow and enhance our SENDIS service to include Outreach Workers. In 2021, thanks to a COVID response grant we were able to appoint a temporary telephone triage worker. For more information see our Organisation Chart.

Strategic Director: Stuart Hall
Senior SENDIS Officer: Helen Selway
SENDIS Officer: Kate Martin
SENDIS Outreach Workers: Debi Fernandez, Louisa Abbitt and Kate Mortimer
Telephone Triage Workers: Elaine Reader and Sam Kyte

Stuart Hall

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Stuart Hall

Strategic Director

When he was born in 1996, Stuart’s son suffered a brain haemorrhage, leaving him with cerebral palsy, left hemiplegia, epilepsy, hydrocephalus and partial sightedness. In the early years, Stuart and his wife experienced a frustrating lack of support, resources and understanding.

Since the launch of Aiming High in 2008 however, Stuart believes that the picture has changed. He says “I am pleased to say that the needs of children and young people with disabilities and special needs seem to be much higher on Wiltshire Council’s agenda. I am proud to have played a part in the transformation of services in Wiltshire through my previous roles as Vice-Chair and Interim-Chair of the WPCC and it is very rewarding to see some of our achievements recognised at a national level.”

Stuart became Strategic Director of the WPCC in 2014. As Strategic Director of the WPCC, Stuart has overall responsibility for the Participation and Strategic work of the WPCC and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Service (SENDIS). Additionally, Stuart works locally, regionally and nationally with bodies including the National Network for Parent Carers (NNPCF), Contact and the DfE to ensure that the voice of parent carers and their experiences are not only heard at a local level in Wiltshire but also nationally to affect real change in services that families use. Stuart is an active member of many boards and working groups including FACT, the Local Offer Working Group, the Disability and SEN Trust Group, and Safeguarding of children and young people; additionally, Stuart meets regularly with many representatives of LA services, and organisations and services including health, commissioned providers and the voluntary sector.

You can contact Stuart using the details below.

Email: Director@wiltspcc.co.uk
Telephone: 01225 764647



Helen Selway

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Helen Selway
Senior SENDIS Officer

Helen joined the WPCC in March 2021 as the new WPCC Telephone Triage Worker and in September 2021, she took on the role of SENDIS Information Officer. From May 16th 2022, Helen will be the WPCC's Senior SENDIS Officer!

Helen has previously worked as a SEN teaching assistant within a mainstream primary school, supporting children with social and emotional needs. Other roles Helen has had in the past have included supply chain management, business administration and volunteering in her local community.

Helen says: “As a parent myself, coupled with my experience as a SEN teaching assistant, I have some understanding of the challenges that parents face. I am delighted to be part of an organisation that supports all the parent carers of Wiltshire.”.

Email: admin@wiltspcc.co.uk
Telephone: 01225 764647



Kate Martin

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Kate Martin
SENDIS Officer

Kate joined the WPCC in September 2021 as a new Telephone Triage Worker, and from 16th May 2022 will be taking on the role of SENDIS Officer.

Kate has previously worked as an Administrator for a disability charity and Drug & Alcohol Advice Service.

Kate says: “As a parent carer myself, I hope my personal experiences will be beneficial in my new role as a Telephone Triage Worker with the WPCC. I understand first-hand how challenging navigating life as a parent carer can be. I’m delighted to be able to work for the WPCC as I know how valuable the service they provide is in making sure Parent Carers are heard and supported.

Email: reception@wiltspcc.co.uk
Telephone: 01225 764647



Debi Fernandez

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Outreach Worker
Debi Fernandez

Debi has two children, both with complex needs including Autism, ADHD, Sensory processing disorder, mental health and physical health issues. Debi’s experience as a parent carer has given her a lot of experience of working with different professional teams and accessing support for herself and her children.

Debi cares for both of her children, but wanted to take on the opportunity at the WPCC as an Outreach Worker to help other families and pass on her learnt experiences where she can. Debi is really passionate about SEND children and their families, and enabling them to access help, support and/or activities.


Email: outreach@wiltspcc.co.uk



Kate Mortimer

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Kate Mortimer
Outreach Worker

Kate started working with WPCC in April 2023. Kate has experience of working in schools with families and is passionate about helping families to access information and support. Kate has worked with various professionals and is committed to provide the very best support for our families.

Kate has three girls, one of whom has Autism. She has been through many tough times herself so understands the challenges every day brings and how difficult it can be to find the right support. Kate hopes her experience and knowledge will help her be a devoted and compassionate outreach worker for our parent carers.

Email: out-reach@wiltspcc.co.uk
Telephone: 07355231941



Louisa Abbitt

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Louisa Moore
Outreach Worker

As a parent carer herself, Louisa has experienced just how tricky it can be to navigate the support system, especially when emotions are high and energy is running on low.

Louisa says that the WPCC has helped and supported her in the past, so she knows first-hand how important this service is in the support for parentcarers and gives them a platform to have their voices heard.

Email: outreach3@wiltspcc.co.uk
Telephone: 07858677109



Sam Kyte

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Sam Kyte
Telephone Triage Worker

Sam joined the WPCC in February 2023. Sam has five children ranging in ages between 7 and 18 years old. Sam’s oldest child has a diagnosis of ADHD and BPD. As a parent of a child with additional needs, Sam has faced some extremely challenging circumstances and worked with many different organisations and professionals to keep her child safe.

Sam has been volunteering with WPCC since 2019 as a co-facilitator on the Time out for Parents (children with additional needs and/or disabilities) parenting course and is also studying towards a BSc (Honours) Psychology with counselling.

Sam is passionate about helping and supporting parents to navigate the challenges they face as a parent of a child with additional needs.

Email: reception@wiltspcc.co.uk
Telephone: 01225 764647



Elaine Reader

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Elaine Reader
Telephone Triage Worker

Elaine has always been passionate about supporting both children and young people with SEND, and their carers. In her previous jobs, Elaine worked in a variety of support/ teaching roles in schools, homes and various community settings. Her last position was with Wiltshire Portage. “It was a privilege to be welcomed into peoples' homes in my role as a Portage Home Visitor and to be part of a child’s learning journey”.

Elaine has a strong commitment to supporting all parent carers in their roles. “If I can provide people with any information, no matter how small or just be that friendly voice on the end of the phone helping to unpick the complicated web of services available, then I will be satisfied. Being a parent carer myself, I really appreciate how frustrating and confusing it can feel at times!”

Email: reception@wiltspcc.co.uk
Telephone: 01225 764647