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Whether you need help finding support, contact details for an agency or information about any issues related to SEND, our information officers, Helen (below left) and Sam (below right) are on hand to help.
Helen Selway is our Senior SENDIS worker and has previously worked as a SEN teaching assistant within a mainstream primary school, supporting children with social and emotional needs. Other roles Helen has had in the past have included supply chain management, business administration and volunteering in her local community. She says: “As a parent myself, coupled with my experience as a SEN teaching assistant, I have some understanding of the challenges that parents face. I am delighted to be part of an organisation that supports all the parent carers of Wiltshire.”
Sam Kyte joined the WPCC as a Telephone Triage Worker in February 2023 and then was promoted to become our SENDIS Officer in June 2024. Sam has five children ranging in ages between 7 and 18 years old. Sam’s oldest child has a diagnosis of ADHD and BPD. As a parent of a child with additional needs, Sam has faced some extremely challenging circumstances and worked with many different organisations and professionals to keep her child safe.
As a result of additional funding from Wiltshire Council to grow and enhance our SENDIS service, we were able to expand our SENDIS team in 2018 to include two Outreach workers. Providing the same service as our SENDIS officers, our SENDIS Outreach workers will be able to work one to one and face to face with families who would normally find it difficult to access information, signposting and support by telephone or the internet.
Debi Phipps (left) has two children, both with complex needs including Autism, ADHD, Sensory processing disorder, mental health and physical health issues. Debi’s experience as a parent carer has given her a lot of experience of working with different professional teams and accessing support for herself and her children.
Debi cares for both of her children, but wanted to take on the opportunity at the WPCC as an Outreach Worker to help other families and pass on her learnt experiences where she can. Debi is really passionate about SEND children and their families, and enabling them to access help, support and/or activities.
As a parent carer herself, Louisa Abbitt (right) has experienced just how tricky it can be to navigate the support system, especially when emotions are high and energy is running on low.
Louisa says that the WPCC has helped and supported her in the past, so she knows first-hand how important this service is in the support for parentcarers and gives them a platform to have their voices heard.
Rachel Bunce has worked with animals since graduating from Liverpool University in 2006. She has also been an examiner for pet pharmacy qualifications, and more recently an exams invigilator at her daughter’s school. A highlight of her career so far was reuniting Ukrainian families relocated to the UK, with their beloved pets.
Rachel’s children are both on the neurodevelopmental pathway with suspected autism. She understands how frustrating and confusing finding appropriate support can be. Having recently navigated the EHCP process, she found our Time Out for Parents course a real lifeline in what can be a lonely experience. The advice and information provided by the WPCC was invaluable at the time.
Rachel is enjoying the challenge of her role as a WPCC outreach worker and is keen to help signpost and support other families through the many challenges that parents of children with SEND can face.
Laura has previously worked in mainstream schools as a primary school teacher and in customer service within the retail sector. Laura feels that her own experiences as a parent coupled with her years of working within SEND and Education will be beneficial to her role at the WPCC.
Laura says “My new role as a Telephone Triage Worker with the WPCC is a new and exciting opportunity, where I am really looking forward to being part of this organisation and supporting families in Wiltshire.
Elaine has a strong commitment to supporting all parent carers in their roles and says: “If I can provide people with any information, no matter how small or just be that friendly voice on the end of the phone helping to unpick the complicated web of services available, then I will be satisfied. Being a parent carer myself, I really appreciate how frustrating and confusing it can feel at times!”
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