Stuart Hall

Strategic Director

When he was born in 1996, Stuart’s son suffered a brain haemorrhage, leaving him with cerebral palsy, left hemiplegia, epilepsy, hydrocephalus and partial sightedness. In the early years, Stuart and his wife experienced a frustrating lack of support, resources and understanding.

Since the launch of Aiming High in 2008 however, Stuart believes that the picture has changed. He says “I am pleased to say that the needs of children and young people with disabilities and special needs seem to be much higher on Wiltshire Council’s agenda. I am proud to have played a part in the transformation of services in Wiltshire through my previous roles as Vice-Chair and Interim-Chair of the WPCC and it is very rewarding to see some of our achievements recognised at a national level.”

Stuart became Strategic Director of the WPCC in 2014. As Strategic Director of the WPCC, Stuart has overall responsibility for the Participation and Strategic work of the WPCC and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Service (SENDIS). Additionally, Stuart works locally, regionally and nationally with bodies including the National Network for Parent Carers (NNPCF), Contact and the DfE to ensure that the voice of parent carers and their experiences are not only heard at a local level in Wiltshire but also nationally to affect real change in services that families use. Stuart is an active member of many boards and working groups including FACT, the Local Offer Working Group, the Disability and SEN Trust Group, and Safeguarding of children and young people; additionally, Stuart meets regularly with many representatives of LA services, and organisations and services including health, commissioned providers and the voluntary sector.

You can contact Stuart using the details below.

Helen Selway
Senior SENDIS Officer

Helen joined the WPCC in March 2021 as the new WPCC Telephone Triage Worker. In September 2021, she took on the role of SENDIS Information Officer and in May 2022, Helen became the WPCC's Senior SENDIS Officer.

Helen has two adult children, one of whom has SEND. She has also previously worked as a SEN teaching assistant within a mainstream primary school, mainly supporting children with their social and emotional needs.

Having been through some challenging times herself, Helen understands how isolating it can feel as a parent carer and knows how difficult it can be find the right SEND information and signposting. She is delighted to be part of an organisation that supports the parent carers of Wiltshire.

Sam Kyte
SENDIS Officer

Sam joined the WPCC in February 2023. 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.

Sam has been volunteering with WPCC since 2019 as a co-facilitator on the Time out for Parents (children with additional needs and/or disabilities) parenting course and is also studying towards a BSc (Honours) Psychology with counselling.

Sam is passionate about helping and supporting parents to navigate the challenges they face as a parent of a child with additional needs.

Debi Phipps
Outreach Worker

Debi 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.

Louisa Abbitt
Outreach Worker

Louisa joined the WPCC in April 2023. She has 3 children, one of whom is diagnosed Down syndrome/ASC.

Louisa recognises that navigating the SEND system can be extremely tricky, especially when emotions are high and energy is running low.

Louisa says she knows first-hand that the WPCC is such an important organisation, supporting parents and empowering them as she used the service herself before joining the team as an Outreach worker. Louisa says this has made her passionate to deliver the level of support she received to the families she now works with.

Louisa strongly believes the WPCC gives parent carers the platform to have their voices heard to help shape the future of our young people.

Rachel Bunce
Outreach Worker

Rachel 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.

Jen Hitchmough
Telephone Triage Worker

Jen joined the WPCC in June 2024 as a WPCC Telephone Triage Worker.

Jen has three adult children with different SEND needs. Her eldest son is now at university which has been a big learning curve working out what help and support was available to him. Jen also enjoys spending time with her young grandson, who is on the neurodevelopmental pathway.

After experiencing all the ups and downs of trying to get the right information, help and support for her children over the years, Jen is happy to be in a position where she can use that experience to help other families and young people find the right information and support for their SEND needs.

Laura Triglia
Telephone Triage Worker

Laura joined the WPCC in April 2024 as a new Telephone Triage Worker.

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 Reader
Telephone Triage Worker

Elaine has always been passionate about supporting both children and young people with SEND, and their carers. In her previous jobs, Elaine worked in a variety of support/ teaching roles in schools, homes and various community settings. Her last position was with Wiltshire Portage. “It was a privilege to be welcomed into peoples' homes in my role as a Portage Home Visitor and to be part of a child’s learning journey”.

Elaine has a strong commitment to supporting all parent carers in their roles. “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!”