Who will be there?

Our Speakers

Claire Ginty

Claire Ginty from Achieve Occupational Therapy

Mellisa Mcilhiney from Powerful Voices

Sue Peacock from Sue Peacock SEND Support

Drop-In Appointment Professionals

Play Therapy

Paula Bird from Blossoms Play Therapy

I have been a qualified rehabilitation worker for visually impaired adults since 2005 working with adults. I transferred my skills to running a family service for children with a visual impairment around 2010. In April 2022 I became a fully qualified play therapist and I have trained in Attachment with Children and families alongside other training such as understanding autism and PDA and recently attended a Sand play workshop.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapists from Achieve Occupational Therapy.

Speech and Language

Speech and Language Therapists from Powerful Voices

SEND Advisor

Sue Peacock from Sue Peacock SEND Support

Experts by Experience

Francesca Moriarty

Little Buds

My name is Francesca, I live in Cambridgeshire and I have two incredible little girls. Roseanna is 3 and Shania is 2. 

My background has always been working with people who have special or additional needs. I worked as a support worker in Mencap, supporting adults and young people with learning disabilities to live as independently as possible. I then moved on and worked in primary schools, whilst getting my degree. I worked in a social, emotional, mental health school as well as two primary mainstream schools focusing on special needs and challenging behaviour. I graduated in 2019 and got my BA honours degree in special educational needs and disability. 

I fell pregnant during covid and had Roseanna in December 2020, I decided that being a mum would now be my focus, I didn’t want to miss a thing. When Roseanna turned one, we found out I was pregnant again! Unfortunately, this was more or a tricky pregnancy, causing a lot of stress and worry in the beginning. 

When Shania was born, we were given a post birth diagnosis of Down syndrome, and our world changed in a second. Since the moment we found out we were adamant that she would never be “Shania with Down syndrome” she would just be exactly who she was, our beautiful daughter Shania. Unfortunately, Shania has had many health complications including two holes in her heart, development delay, Nystagmus, Glue Ear, motor skill delays… the list goes on. She is a little warrior, and she surprises us every day, she finds her own way and does things in her own time, she has taught us the real meaning of living in the moment, appreciating what you have and we could not be prouder of both our girls. 

I have always been a loud and confident person, I knew who I was from an early age. However, when we had Shania the looks, comments and remarks had me hiding in the house. I decided that enough was enough and if someone like me (usually bold and had a knowledge of special needs) was feeling this way, how do others feel that maybe Aren’t as confident and who don’t know anything about special needs?  The parental and the professional perspectives could not be further away from each other. 

I had to help, I had to make a change for those in need, so I created Little Buds.

 

Chris and Dan Newman

Introducing Chris and Dan, experienced adoptive parents with invaluable insights into navigating the complexities of parenting through early permanence (foster to adopt) and having a child with additional needs. Their journey began when their son joined their family at just seven and a half months old.

Introducing Chris and Dan, experienced adoptive parents with invaluable insights into navigating the complexities of parenting through early permanence (foster to adopt) and having a child with additional needs. Their journey began when their son joined their family at just seven and a half months old.

As he grew up, he was a very high energy child who was very alert and aware of what is going on around him but exceptionally intelligent with how he absorbed and processed information. However, his early school experiences were challenging. Even though he was only in Reception, he was frequently “in trouble”, and the school often resorted to the harshest consequences within their behaviour policy.

Recognizing the need for additional support, Chris and Dan sought help beyond the school environment. They connected with their Local Authority’s post-adoption support team, which led to a referral to Achieve OT. Through this collaboration, they gained deep insights into their son’s needs and developed strategies to advocate for him effectively. They also discovered the importance of self-care, enabling them to remain resilient and provide their son with the best possible support, even during challenging times.

Their journey offers a wealth of lived experience, guidance, and encouragement for others navigating similar paths.

Claudia Holmes

I’m Claudia Holmes and I’m the proud mother of an eleven year old girl who has Down Syndrome. I live in Cambridgeshire and I’m a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities parent/carer advocate. I help and support parents of children with additional needs to navigate the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities system and through the complexities of dealing with the Local Authority and ensuring that the right support is provided for their children in education, health and social care. I’m a complete believer that having special educational needs or a disability should not get in the way of a child or young person having the best opportunities, to play an active part in the wider community and to enjoying a fulfilling life that any child or young person deserves.

In addition, I’m the co-author of the book ‘Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) in Practice’ published by Practical Preschool Books which provides guidance for all providers of early year’s education caring for children with special educational needs and disabilities.For many years my husband and I led the Cambridgeshire babies and children with Down Syndrome Support group, supporting families with children who have Down Syndrome across the county. I’m still supporting the families in my advocacy support capacity.  Before I moved to Cambridgeshire in 2014, I lived and worked overseas and worked in International Aid and Cooperation.

Exhibitors/Stall holders

and more…