Meet the Team
The SENDIASS team are trained to give you accurate and relevant information and advice about special educational needs, as well as supporting you to make decisions about your child’s education.
All Advisers and Triage Officers have completed SEND legal training run by IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Educational Advice). That means they can give you legally based information about your rights and responsibilities and those of schools, colleges, the Local Authority and education professionals.
They also attend regular training on SEND issues and all staff are fully Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked. This means a check has been done to make sure they can work with vulnerable groups, such as young people.
Emma Fraser
Administrator
Two of our four children have SEN. I was first introduced to SENDIASS when looking for support, first for our daughter and then later our son. The information and advice given by SENDIASS gave me the tools and confidence to support and make the right decisions for my children’s education.
Once my children were settled back into education I returned to college, firstly to retake my GCSEs and then to complete a Diploma in Health and Social care with the hope that I could someday provide other parents and young people impartial advice and the tools needed to empower them to make informed decisions regarding education, health and social care.
After completing my Diploma I initially volunteered at SENDIASS before joining the team as a administrative assistant.
Having first hand experience of the difficulties that can arise when your child has SEN means that I understand when listening to parents concerns and questions and hope to provide individualised support to help their children reach their full potential.
Some of my hobbies/interests include:
We have two dogs so spend a lot of time walking in the New Forest with them. I also enjoy reading and learning new cooking recipes.
Fun fact about me:
I have just started swimming lessons for the first time at the age of 46 as my goal is to join my family in water sport activities rather than watching from the sideline.
Charlene Hemmings
Triage Officer
Many years ago I volunteered at a local playgroup, offering respite care for children with disabilities. After having my own children, I went on to study for a Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Childcare and worked in a Pre-school as an Early Years Practitioner. Whilst I loved working with the children, I felt that I wanted to be able to offer more support and advice to families, which led me to this role at Rose Road.
Some of my hobbies/interests include:
I love to bake cakes….and eat them! As a family we love trips to the beach or the forest. I really enjoy being creative and have attempted many different crafts including floristry, pottery, painting and bread making….I’m not very good but it’s fun having a go!
Fun fact about me:
One day I WILL complete the Couch 2 5K app all the way to the end and start to actually enjoy running! One day…..!
Anna Gunn
Triage Officer
I became interested in this field when my own children began to display SEN. I then realised how difficult it was to get the information that would help me and make life easier. I wanted to make decisions about what would be the best route for my children but found that gathering all the information needed around school choices and support for families very difficult and time consuming to find.
It can be emotional exhausting when you are so involved and trying to manage so may things at one time. I wanted to help other people in this position too and I have now been involved in supporting parents and young people for 6 years.
Having first-hand experience in a lot of SEN aspects that parents who contact Roseroad helps with understanding how a situation feels.
I feel passionate about supporting and have a comprehensive view of SEN, having supported within SENDIASS, and have also worked within the Local Authority SEN department.
I really enjoy supporting people with information and advice and helping them navigate this tricky system and in turn empowering people to pursue their goals.
Before I worked in the SEN field, I was in the Coast Guard, Merchant Navy and Police.
Some of my hobbies/interests include:
I love Gymnastics and coach Tumbling to a National level 4 times a week.
I like to trampoline when I can (fitness permitting) and supporting young people there too.
I have always been interested in food and nutrition. I love to research food types and experiment cooking and definitely love the eating part !
I like to be out and have fun times in the open air with my family.
Fun fact about me:
I have been to 56 countries when in the Navy.
I have jumped out of a perfectly working aeroplane and bungee jumped in New Zealand.
I have rafted in Nepal and led scuba diving in Thailand.
I managed to emigrated to Australia for a week and shipped all my furniture which didn’t re-join in the UK for 3 months !
Jasmine Dace
Senior Triage Officer
As a child I was a young carer for my brother and my mum. I have several years of practical experience working with disabled young people, helping them to overcome their difficulties and realise their abilities… and have fun doing it! Now, I am enjoying using my skills and knowledge to help families to achieve better outcomes for their loved ones with SEND difficulties.
Some of my hobbies/interests include:
I love exploring nature and the outdoors, cooking delectable dinners, and collecting crystals.
Fun Fact about me:
I am also very creative, with a Bachelor’s degree in Illustration and previous involvement performing lead roles in theatre shows.
Hannah Pinchin
Parent/Carer Adviser
I joined the team in October 2019 after spending the previous 18 months applying for and appealing my own SEN child’s EHCP. I attend regular local and regional SEN courses to expand my knowledge and offer as much advice as possible. I hope to enable families to feel empowered when it comes to ensuring that their children and young people’s needs are fully understood, and the appropriate provisions are in place.
Some of my hobbies/interests include:
Baking, walks, and reading
Fun Fact about me:
I have a PhD in Microbiology
Richard Uren
Parent/Carer Adviser
I have been working with Roseroad since 2010 at the start of Parent Voice. I have worked on the Community Buddy scheme since its inception in 2011 and as an Independent Supporter with the introduction of the Education , Health and Care plan from 2014-2018.
SEND is a complex system incorporating a huge amount of law, guidance , responsibilities , case law and in many cases misunderstanding and interpretation. As an advisor we provide independent advice to help families navigate through the system. I understand how frustrating the system can be from my own experience bringing up my son, who is severely autistic. I hope through my training and experience I can help and support families to get the right support and guidance, to ensure their children reach their full potential
Some of my hobbies/interests include:
Reading, Football, Cycling
Chloe Nkomo
Senior Parent/Carer Adviser
I have worked in the Family Services team at Rose Road since 2018. Before that, I had very little experience with SEND. My time at Rose Road and working as an Advisor has been so enlightening and rewarding and I feel I am always learning and growing in experience.
I am currently studying an Msci in Speech and Language Therapy at the University of Reading and ultimately, hope to work with children with speech and language difficulties.
Some of my hobbies/interests include:
Long walks in the New Forest/anywhere in nature, Reading, Travelling
Fun fact about me:
I have lived in China and Indonesia in the past! I spent a year in each country teaching English and travelling when I had the chance – it was amazing!
Ashley Raynor
Programme Manager
I have worked in the Southampton area supporting unpaid carers since 2014. This has been in a variety of roles including specifically working with those caring for someone with a Learning Disability, Physical Disability or Sensory Impairment. I am passionate about ensuring everyone has access to individualised information and support and can therefore make empowered and informed decisions in their lives. I understand how challenging it can be for young people, for parents/carers, and for professionals to navigate the education, health and social care systems and how overwhelming it can be. Sometimes we all need help to understand what is available, understand the complex laws and guidelines that define this, and determine what is best for each individual persons needs. I am proud to be part of such a knowledgeable and compassionate team who are here to offer that help.
Some of my hobbies/interests include:
I love good food, spending time with family and friends, and exploring outdoors with my husband and my two boys. I am an avid reader of fantasy fiction and love to binge watch TV series once my kids are asleep.
Fun Fact about me:
I am also a Perinatal Educator and teach a range of antenatal education classes and baby massage and yoga classes.