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Whether you need help finding support, contact details for an agency or information about any issues related to SEND, our information officers, Helen (below left) and Kate (below right) are on hand to help.
Helen Selway is our Senior SENDIS worker and 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. She 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.”
Kate Martin is our SENDIS Officer and has previously worked as an Administrator for a disability charity and Drug & Alcohol Advice Service. She says: "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.
As a result of additional funding from Wiltshire Council to grow and enhance our SENDIS service, we were able to expand our SENDIS team in 2018 to include two Outreach workers. Providing the same service as our SENDIS officers, our SENDIS Outreach workers will be able to work one to one and face to face with families who would normally find it difficult to access information, signposting and support by telephone or the internet.
Kate Mortimer (Outreach Worker) 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.
As a parent carer herself, Louisa Moore (Outreach Worker) 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.
Debi Fernandez 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.
In 2021, thanks to a COVID response grant we were able to put our new Triage Service into action, with Elaine Reader (left) working as our Triage Worker 2 days per week. Elaine has a strong commitment to supporting all parent carers in their roles and says: “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!”
Sam joined the WPCC as a Telephone Triage Worker 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.
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