Speakers

As Director of the Council for Disabled Children, Amanda is determined to work towards a fully inclusive society where all disabled children and young people can achieve their aspirations and do not feel excluded.

Amanda has worked in children’s policy both as a researcher and campaigner for the last 30 years; first for The Children’s Society and NCH (now Action for Children) and latterly as Head of Policy and Communications for Treehouse, the autism education charity.  

During that time, she covered a diverse range of areas including youth unemployment, leaving care, homelessness, family support and issues facing disabled children and their families.  Amanda is passionate about participation and whilst at NCH developed a charity award-winning youth arts participation project.

Amanda joined the Council for Disabled Children in 2009, her areas of responsibility included health, mental health and participation. During her time at CDC, Amanda has significantly increased the organisations engagement with health bodies and research organisations and was one of the key researchers in a joint NIHR funded project with Exeter University which researched parent/carer and children and young people’s priorities in terms of health outcomes. 

Amanda ensures that policymakers understand the reality of frontline service delivery; that the sector is aware of and engaged with forthcoming change; and that providers are prepared for the implementation of new regulations and requirements. She is proud to have supported Rochdale with their recent work on SEND improvement which has led to them receiving both a Children and Young People Now and a Municipal Journal Award. 

Amanda has researched and written extensively on issues affecting disadvantaged groups of young people.  Amanda was part of the leadership team that delivered the phase 1 and phase 2 report for the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel on safeguarding children and young people with disabilities and complex health needs in residential settings.
To contact Amanda, please get in touch with kanderson@ncb.org.uk