Spotlight on SENDIASS advisers

Having lived in several countries and experienced a range of different cultures, Michelle learned first-hand the value of listening, understanding and finding common ground - skills she now brings to her role as Customer Support Officer at SENDIASS.

Michelle liaises and responds to enquiries from parents and professionals. She is the first point of contact and ensures that accurate records are maintained and appropriate information is shared with parents.

With a background in private practice in healthcare management and the private educational application software industry, Michelle has developed many years of customer service experience and has held a variety of customer-facing roles. Michelle has a strong background in communication and problem-solving and is skilled in supporting families through complex processes. In a previous role, she worked with programmes that help children with SEND and learning difficulties progress and gain confidence in Maths and English.

Michelle’s combination of Pre-Med and Business Administration degrees may seem unusual, but together they have equipped her with the ability to manage detailed information, think analytically and stay focused under pressure - all essential when helping families who are overwhelmed and need support.

Michelle’s professional experience is complemented by a deeply personal connection to SEND. She is a mum to a child who was born extremely premature, faced early-life complications and among other things has learning difficulties. Over the years, Michelle has navigated both mainstream and specialist educational settings, which has given her insight into the challenges and emotions parents often face. This lived experience gives Michelle a deep understanding of the challenges families face and has fostered a strong empathy for parents and carers. She knows what it feels like to have questions, concerns, worries and hopes for your child. Michelle is passionate about advocating for SEND children and has a strong commitment to ensuring families feel heard, supported and informed.

When she is not working, you will probably find Michelle travelling, enjoying a fitness class, cycling, or getting creative with crafts.

More about SENDIASS - like every local authority, Gloucestershire has to provide such a  service that is free, easy to access and confidential.

SENDIASS is accountable and legally obliged to have regard to the minimum standards based on the requirements relating to support that SENDIAS services must provide, as set out in the Children and Families Act (CFA) 2014, the SEND Code of Practice.

This means that the information, advice and support that SENDIASS offers is firmly based in the law and the SEND Code of Practice.  SENDIASS Gloucestershire provides unbiased information and advice about the local authority’s policies and procedures and about the policy and practice in local schools and other settings.

You will be speaking to an Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA)-trained adviser with many years of previous professional experience in SEND. 

SENDIASS can offer advice on topics including how schools can support children with SEND, the Gloucestershire Graduated Pathway, the Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process and more. The service can help you understand and/or complete official documents and help you to prepare for, and even accompany you to, meetings, appeals and tribunals, as well as signpost you to other organisations that may be able to help. 

SENDIASS - Expert, confidential, impartial advice and support on SEND – for free. Contact SENDIASS today if you need guidance.

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