I am Deputy Principal and Designated Safeguarding Lead for the Trust with leadership responsibilities for Therapeutic, Family & Health Services; Family Partnership & Engagement; Residential & Pastoral Care, our children's home Boothroyd and our on-site Post 16 provision.  I am very keen to develop and improve our residential provision, and to develop satellite provisions within our local community, reaching out to more children and young adults, and supporting families.

I have 30 years’ experience of working within education and have worked for the foundation for the past 25 years after initially starting on a voluntary basis whilst with Barnsley LA special needs team. I am qualified to Level 5 in Leadership and Management, and a Registered ILM Manager.

I have established great working relationships with two local universities who have used the school for training their 2^nd and 3^rd year Social Worker students. As the school and 6th forms' Designated Safeguarding Lead, I manage a team of highly trained and experienced child protection staff who work closely to ensure that children, young adults, and staff at the school feel safe and looked after.

I am also involved within the Calderdale Cluster Group for schools in the area, where we work together in improving standards of safeguarding and behaviour within all local special provisions.

To enhance knowledge in an ever-changing dynamic within our sector, I have trained as a Mental Health First Aider and Positive Behaviour Support coach, and integrate these approaches to help improve the life opportunities of children.

I am married with four children and have a French bulldog called Jax. I support the greatest football team in the entire universe, Barnsley FC, and I am an enthusiastic golfer trying to play off a lower handicap than I am currently.

The biggest influence on my life was my Nan, who taught me good manners cost ‘nowt’ and to treat everyone like you would like to be treated yourself.