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Vanessa is an independent specialist, offering advice and support for practitioners within the Special Educational Needs sector. Vanessa has over thirty years of experience in teaching, leadership, and advisory roles.

Vanessa holds a Batchelor of Education Honours degree in Special Education, the SENCO qualification, and is a Registered Derbyshire Language Scheme User. She has completed the Introducing British Sign Language course and is a certified assessor for the diagnosis of Autism, using ADOS-2 and ADI-R.

Vanessa has substantial experience in curriculum and assessment development, monitoring, and evaluation, specifically tailored to meet the needs of pupils with Special Educational Needs.

Vanessa provides practical support to shape school provision. This incorporates promoting inclusive practise that enhances attainment, participation, and wellbeing. She offers help to schools in the development, and implementation, of specialist teaching strategies. Vanessa provides training on communication and language development. She also supports with the process of Education and Health Care Plans , including developing Individual Education Plans.

As a Team Teach tutor for over twenty years, Vanessa offers training in Positive Behaviour Management, including de-escalation and positive intervention, as well as guidance for producing Positive Intervention Plans.

Vanessa is also one of the three official trainers for TACPAC in the UK. TACPAC is a specialist sensory communication resource using touch and music.

Vanessa facilitates National Professional Qualification programmes with Coventry and Central Warwickshire Teaching School Hub.

Vanessa’s philosophy of education is built around communication, moral purpose, and meeting individual needs.