SENDIASS Manager - Sarah

sarahwike@barnsley.gov.uk

Hi, I'm Sarah!

I manage the SENDIAS Service and have done so since 2004 (before 2014 it was called The Parent Partnership service). I've worked in the Local Authority for over 30 years. During this time I have also worked on other projects too. For example, I supported the SEN Parent Carer Forum and have also worked for IPSEA.

I've always studied to keep my professionals standards to do my job. I started as a qualified Nursery Nurse, then qualified as a teacher, gained two MA degrees and recently a further level 7 leadership and management qualification.

As a SENDIASS manager I have undertaken all the legal training expected of any member of staff who works in this area. I make sure I keep up to date with SEND specific changes in legislation or government guidance.

All my work experience has been around working with families. I've been an Early Years Family Worker, a Portage Worker, Early Years Foundation stage community tutor. I've worked with volunteers to develop support in roles to others in local communities. I've worked with families in the home to develop English as an additional language to children. This helped children whose families were seeking asylum. I have developed an early years development group for children on the local Gypsy Traveller site. I've also lead and managed projects and services.

I enjoy working with families. I am experienced and knowledgeable in SEND and encourage parents, carers, children and young people with SEND to work with us. This enables them to make informed decisions.

I learnt very quickly that families are the heart of the SEND community. They teach me how to provide the quality of service and interaction they deserve to receive, this is the foundation that SENDIASS is led by.

In my personal time I like to spend time with my own family, swim and walk, and meet friends.

I don’t like the colder winter months and when its darker shorter days.

Sarah

Case Advisor - Pride 

Hi, my name is Pride and I'm a SENDIASS Case Advisor and have worked for SENDIASS since 2014.

Before joining SENDIASS I worked as a primary school teacher, as a nursery manager and an education welfare officer. All these jobs these involved working with children and young people in schools or early years settings.

Since joining SENDIASS I have completed the required legal training. I make sure that my knowledge is kept up to date with any changes to SEND specific legislation. As part of my current role as Case Advisor I work directly with families and children/young people. This is my favourite part of the job!

I enjoy getting to know people and working with families. This allows me to understand how we as a service can best support them.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my daughter, doing church stuff and socialising with friends. I like spicy food.

Case Officer - Chloe

My name is Chloe Clayton and I am a case officer for Barnsley SENDIASS.

I joined the service in September 2022. Prior to joining SENDIASS, I worked as a teacher and worked with many children with special educational needs, which is where my passion lies.  Before qualifying, I worked in a range of settings and gained lots of experience working in a variety of both mainstream and specialist schools. 

Since joining SENDIASS. I've completed the legal training required to fulfil the role and keep my knowledge up to date with any changes. I've always had a passion for supporting children and their parents and one of my favourite parts of my job is working with such a huge variety of people and supporting them to achieve outcomes as much as I can. My job is so varied and I am constantly learning new things!

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, going to different places and seeing new things. I don’t like celery!

Case Officer - Charlotte

Hi! My names Charlotte and I am a case officer at SENDIASS.

I recently joined the team in 2023 and previously worked across all types of schools supporting children and young people with SEND. I'm undergoing the legal training required for my role and have undertaken other training to broaden my knowledge; mostly recently a mental health first aid course. I make sure that I improve my knowledge and skills continually so I am able to support families, children and young people to the best of my ability.

My favourite part about the role is empowering parents and arming them with the knowledge they need, so that they can advocate for their child/young person. I love getting to know everyone and building relationships with them – I want to ensure families feel confident and cared for.

Outside of work I like to spend time with my little boy and I am a huge home décor fan! I like to have a positive outlook on life and make people smile and laugh. One thing I don’t like is the dark – I still use a night light!

Case Support Officer - Ellie

Hello, my name is Ellie Hirst and I'm the case support officer at SENDIASS. This means I'm the first point of contact for the service and the person in charge of triaging all support.

I've worked for SENDIASS since March 2023. Before joining SENDIASS, I worked as a HLTA and TA in the Wakefield area at various state, private special schools, mainstream and resource provisions. This was for over ten years.

Since joining SENDIASS I've completed all of the relevant IPSEA training my role requires.

As part of my current role as case support officer I work directly with families, education provisions and support workers. This is my favourite part of the role. I have a passion for helping families on their SEND journey and will support wherever I can.

I'm always a listening ear for parents and carers and I'm incredibly passionate about responding to families as quickly as possible.

Outside of work I enjoy walking my German Shorthaired Pointer Winnie, spending time with my family and watching BBC dramas. I hate mushrooms!