About us
Sarah, Michelle & Carla are parents to children and adults with broad and complex needs. This gives them a unique and essential depth of understanding, personal knowledge and hands on experience. All have a determination to make the future brighter for others.
All of our staff have lived experience and/or identify as being autistic themselves. Family support workers hold an enhanced DBS certificate, they have NSPCC SEND safeguarding training and GDPR training. They continuously receive ongoing training from those who identify as autistic.
They have experience with the following conditions and difficulties:
- Autism spectrum condition (ASC/D)
- Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder (ADD/HD)
- Anxiety
- Sensory Processing Difficulties (SPD)
- Hyper-mobility
- Mental health difficulties, including trauma, depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Irlens Syndrome
- Dyslexia
- Hyperlexia
- Executive functioning skills
- Echolalia
- Language delay
- Demand avoidance
- Selective mutism
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Eating disorder
It is living with these conditions that allows them to have an insight into the complexities and skills required to meet the individual needs of the client, relate to them and support so that they can access the services parent/carers/young people are rightly entitled to.
Our team have successfully navigated the system for Education Health Care Plans (EHCP) for their children, have appealed decisions, attended SEN tribunal, worked extensively with the Local Authority, social services, mental health services and have knowledge of working within large multi-disciplinary teams, including health and social care.
Sarah has successfully worked on previous projects, mainly the Aspire School in Sittingbourne - an ambitious and large-scale four-year plan to develop a special needs school for young autistic people or those with speech and communication needs in Swale, Kent. This involved extensive communication with parents, service providers, the Department for Education, charities, councillors and MPs. She also assisted in developing a support group for parent/carers when a need for the service was identified in the local area.
Please note we are not medical professionals and cannot make a diagnosis or a referral to a medical professional. We can, however, support you through this process.
Sarah is our Managing Director and Founder.
She feels passionately about families and young autistic people obtaining the support they are entitled to in order for them to lead their best lives, access their education in the right environment for the individual to be their authentic self. She has two children, one studied at university, the other is at a specialist school.
Sarah is a former councillor and cabinet member for Health & Wellbeing. She was a member of the Local Children Partnership Board, District Children's Advisory board and Kent Health & Wellbeing board and Budget Task force group. Safeguarding and leisure also fell under her remit.
Before having children, she worked in commercial finance.
Carla is our Family Support Director.
She has 3 children and has been on the SEN journey since 2012. Carla’s two boys have additional needs, both have EHCPs in place and both attend specialist provisions. Carla has experience with ASD, ADHD, speech and language, presentation of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and Anxiety. Carla believes in moving forward positively and hopes that by keeping communication open, advocating for others and being compassionate that we will be able to make a difference for young people and their families.
Helen is our HR/Operations Director
I have had a wonderful life and continue to do so. I have two sons both away at uni, so I finally have a chance to contribute to a cause I believe in and that is the Autism Apprentice."
My background is fully in HR and employment law with different industries and taking opportunities to help whenever I can. Now I am delighted to join the team on a regular basis and support as an HR Advisor and operations director.
By the way, the easiest way to get round me is to ask about my sons or discuss Bruce Springsteen!!
Michelle is our Family Support Lead.
She is incredibly passionate about ensuring families are listened too and have their feelings validated. She wants to ensure all children get the best support early, so they can go on to reach their full potential and lead a successful life.
Michelle was diagnosed as autistic in her 40's, after identifying similarities with her own life and her children's.
Michelle was a service user and as a result has successfully managed to obtain EHCP's for both her children. She has two boys both with additional needs who both attend specialist provisions.
Michelle became a teacher in 2004, specialising in early years. She spent the following 14 years in mainstream primary schools before moving to a private nursery in 2018. Michelle became SENCo and was able to fully discover her passion for supporting families of children with additional needs.
Martine is our Tribunal and Appeals Lead.
She worked in the healthcare sector for a number of years. She has also volunteered for several charities which support children and teenagers with additional needs. She has 2 children both of whom have additional needs: behavioural, developmental, and physical; and a large pool of experience from which to draw.
Martine has first hand experience in Genetic Syndromes, Autism, including demand avoidance profiles (PDA/ODD), Global Development Delay, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, Hearing impairment, Sleep disorders, behavioural problems, cognitive problems, anxiety, and hypermobility.
She has experience in EHCP’s, DLA applications, Tribunal appeals and has SEN Law training.
Martine has the drive and the ability to advise and help families navigate the complicated SEN system. She will provide an impartial sounding board by listening to both parents, young people and their primary caregivers and educational setting, thus ensuring that the children in question receives the support and provisions they are legally entitled.
Lorraine is our admin assistant.
Lorraine has previously worked in customer service and admin for 27 years and is looking forward to transferring her skills into her new position at The Autism Apprentice.
Lorraine has autistic grandchildren and feels very passionately about supporting families and making them feel less isolated whilst navigating family life, health services and education.
