Chief Executive Expand Madeleine Cassidy, Chief Executive Madeleine joined IPSEA as Chief Executive in November 2024. She is a very experienced charity leader of both small and national charities, having worked in the fields of family services and disability for over 20 years at senior management level. Originating from Dublin, Madeleine's background lies in consumer marketing and social research, and she holds a post-graduate diploma in Marketing and a Masters in Voluntary Sector Management from Bayes Business School, City University of London. Alongside her work with IPSEA, Madeleine has three children, and is a keen swimmer, painter and photographer.
Advice Services Expand Julia Day, Head of Services Julia is our Advice Services Manager and oversees the running of our advice services delivered to parents and carers through a team of volunteers and staff. Julia has over 15 years experience in the charity sector including volunteer management and delivering information services. Julia has two boys at secondary school, both with special education needs. Julia has been a member of her local choir for over 11 years, and makes the most of the stress-busting communal singing and opportunities to perform to friends and family. Anna Lowson, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator Anna works in the advice services team as the volunteer engagement coordinator. She is the first point of contact for volunteers and provides support at all stages of the volunteer role. Before joining IPSEA she was an Early Years teacher. She is mum to three teenagers – the eldest of whom is Autistic. She enjoys peaceful early morning runs, making soup, reading detective and crime novels and being walked by her French Bulldog, Alvin. Charmaine Greenan, Tribunal Support Service Coordinator Charmaine works in the advice services team as the Tribunal Casework Coordinator. She matches up families with volunteers to support them through the tribunal process. She has three children, two of whom are disabled. She enjoys yoga, swimming, reading and walking with her two dogs, Scrappy and Dora. Helen Bishton, Helplines Coordinator Helen works in the advice services team as a Helplines Coordinator. She coordinates the Call In Service. She also trains volunteers, gives advice through other services and is a TSS volunteer. Helen is a retired teacher and senior manager in special schools. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, dancing, sewing, crochet, singing in a choir, theatre and spending time with her three grown up children, family and friends. Shelia Hickerton, Tribunal Support Service Coordinator Sheila works in partnership with Charmaine Greenan as Tribunal Support Service Coordinator. She also volunteers for IPSEA. She has many years experience within SEND from a variety of perspectives including Specialist Family Worker/EHCP Coordinator in a complex needs school, SENDIASS Young Person Advocate and LA SEND Officer roles within several councils. Sheila has 3 adult daughters and 7 grandchildren. One of her grandsons has a diagnosis of autism. He attends an autism resourced provision within a mainstream primary school. Alex Boorer, Helplines Adviser Alex recently joined the team in December 2024 as a Helplines Advisor providing support to parents. Alex was recently a volunteer for Citizens Advice and prior to that worked in professional services for many years before taking a career break to look after her two children, both of whom have SEND. Outside of work and supporting her children, Alex enjoys exercising and ice bathing. Peter Mitchell, Helplines Adviser Peter works in the advice services team as a Helplines Adviser supporting and giving legal advice to parents on all the helplines. Peter holds a post-graduate diploma in Bar Practice from King’s College London and sits as a lay member of Independent Education Admission Appeals Panels in Wales. He also works as a Senior Lecturer in Early Modern English Literature teaching and researching literary texts and history of medicine, on which he has written and edited books and articles. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. When not working, Peter enjoys gardening, art, music, theatre, and walking with his wife in the hills and woods of South Wales. Ramandeep Kaur, Community Project Lead Ramandeep's previous work has been with charities on research projects exploring cultural competency and health inequalities. She has presented at conferences and brings her lived experience of being a mum to a young person with a learning disability. Outside of work, she enjoys listening to classical Indian music and history podcasts.
Fundraising and Communications Expand Victoria Lewis, Fundraising Manager Victoria leads IPSEA’s fundraising strategy and activities, with a focus on building relationships and ensuring a sustainable funding pipeline. She has over ten years’ experience in developing fundraising initiatives and strategic partnerships at local and national charities, with expertise in securing major funding for diverse projects, services and causes. Victoria lives in north Cornwall, and in her spare time she loves painting, learning to surf and exploring the coast path with her wire-haired dachshund, Figgy. Charlotte de-Vilder, Campaigns Manager Charlotte is the Campaigns Manager at IPSEA, responsible for leading the organisation’s public engagement to protect and promote the rights of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). With eight years of experience of Corporate Communications teams, Charlotte has worked on high-profile campaigns across the finance, media and entertainment sectors. As a passionate advocate for SEND rights, Charlotte has also undertaken a voluntary advisory role within a SEND charity. Outside of work, Charlotte can often be found playing in the woods with her two children, or in a yoga class. Holly Johnson, Communications and Fundraising Officer Holly is responsible for helping to develop the IPSEA brand and communicating the services that IPSEA offer, as well as supporting vital donation and fundraising efforts across the country. When Holly is not working, she enjoys travelling and has a true love for the outdoors. Sarah Abbiss, Trusts and Philanthropy Officer Sarah is responsible for building and managing relationships with Trusts and Foundations and helping to strengthen and diversify IPSEA's income streams. Sarah has worked in the charity sector for eighteen years raising funds for children and young people, domestic abuse services, and the arts. When Saran isn't working, she's on family adventures with her children, spending time with friends, walking her furry bestie, or reading.
HR and Finance Expand Carla Bush, HR Manager Carla is the HR Manager at IPSEA. After 23 years in corporate HR, she stepped away from the corporate world in December 2023 to spend more time with her daughter, who is autistic and has ADHD, and to work in a primary school supporting children with special educational needs. Carla now leads the development of HR systems at IPSEA and supports the organisation with all colleague-related matters. Outside of work, she is a fair-weather gardener and enjoys spending time with her family and her two dogs, Suki and Mochi. Sarah Sleigh, Finance Manager Sarah is a Chartered Accountant and manages IPSEA's finance team. Having completed her training in the public sector audit team at PwC, Sarah has continued to work in and around public services so brings over 10 years experience of working in finance in a heavily regulated environment. The finance team work across the organisation providing financial support and ensuring strong financial governance is embedded within IPSEAs processes. Nicola Stevenson, Finance Administrator Nicola is our Finance Administrator. She is responsible for day to day finance administration activities. She has a focus on invoicing, notably for our training courses, and banking. Nicola supports Sarah in IPSEA’s financial management and reporting requirements. Nicola is currently working towards her AAT Level 2 certificate in Accounting. When not at work, Nicola is busy looking after her family.
Legal and Training Expand Wendy Rainbow, Legal Team Manager Wendy is a solicitor and manages IPSEA’s legal team. The legal team trains IPSEA's volunteers as well as supervising and assisting them with legal queries, case work support and tribunal advice. The team also delivers training to parent and carer groups and other organisations helping their members understand their legal rights under the SEND statutory framework, as well as bespoke training courses for other professionals in the SEND field advising them on their legal obligations to children and young people. Working with IPSEA's policy manager, the legal team seeks to influence national policy and legal developments in SEND law as well as effecting change within individual local authorities. Alex Stafford, Senior Solicitor Alex is a solicitor in IPSEA's legal team. She is responsible for delivering training to new volunteers and ongoing training to existing volunteers. She delivers IPSEA's programme of external training to parents, schools, SEN specialists and local authorities. As well as training, Alex also provides legal support to the IPSEA volunteers and monitors and supervises their case work and helpline advice as well as supporting the provision of legal updates. Alex creates legally based written resources and is part of the team undertaking national and local policy work. Alex enjoys running, hiking and attempting yoga. Kate Cox, Senior Solicitor As a member of the legal team, Kate provides legal support to volunteers and supervises their helpline and Tribunal Support Service work. She also writes monthly updates for the volunteers, ensuring they are kept up to date with legal and policy changes. She helps maintain IPSEA’s legal resources and briefings, and provides training to parents and carers as well as professionals. Kate also supports the policy team in their work. In her spare time, Kate loves to have her nose in a new book, getting outside and exercising, and playing with her two sons. Lisa Coaten, Legal Team Member As a member of the legal team, Lisa works with volunteers training them, providing legal support and supervising their work on the helplines and Tribunal Support Service. She also delivers training to parents, carers and professionals, and helps the team to keep IPSEA’s legal resources up to date. Outside of work, Lisa enjoys going to the theatre, planning family holidays and is currently studying for her Masters. Maria Bloom, Legal Team Member Maria has worked for organisations providing legally based advice and information about special educational needs since 1997. As part of IPSEA's legal team Maria works with IPSEA's volunteers delivering training to them whether they are new or existing. She also provides them with legal support and is responsible for monitoring and supervising their work and assisting them by providing legal updates. Maria also delivers IPSEA's programme of external training to parents, SEN experts, schools and local authorities as well as creating legally based written resources. Maria is Vice Chair of Governors at a local authority maintained Primary school where, not surprisingly, she takes the lead on SEN issues. Liz Devlin, Legal Team Member Liz is a member of IPSEA’s Legal Team. She provides legal support to new and existing volunteers and supervises and monitors the advice provided on IPSEA’s helplines. She also delivers SEND Law training to parents, carers and professionals across the country. As part of IPSEA’s Policy Team, Liz gets involved in both local and national policy work and contributes to creating content which is shared on our social media platforms. Liz’s role includes reviewing and updating the IPSEA website to ensure information is kept current and she enjoys creating new website resources for parents and young people to use, such as template letters Outside of work, Liz advocates and cares for her son, who is Autistic and has special educational needs. Liz enjoys spinning, walking, cycling and spending quality time with family. Lauren Crowson, Solicitor Apprentice As a member of the legal team, Lauren provides legal advice, casework support, and representation to parents, young people and carers on IPSEA’s helplines and before the First Tier Tribunal. Lauren researches and updates content for IPSEA’s website, e-learning and training legal resources. Lauren recently graduated with a first class law degree. She is currently studying with BPP University in preparation for the SQE. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys spending time with her young children, family outings, skiing holidays and reading. Mitra Babic, Legal Team Member Mitra is a non-practising solicitor and member of IPSEA's Legal Team, and provides legal support to volunteers, delivers training to parents and carers and helps to maintain IPSEA’s legal resources and briefings. Mitra began as a volunteer at IPSEA and before joining the Legal Team, she worked for 2 years as an IPSEA Helplines Adviser providing next step advice to parents and carers. In her free time, Mitra enjoys spending time with her family, long walks in nature and listening to music. Megan Day, Solicitor Apprentice Megan is one of two solicitor apprentices in the legal team at IPSEA. Her role involves providing legal advice and casework support to parents, carers and young people on the IPSEA helplines and before the First Tier Tribunal. Megan is a recent graduate from the University of Hull after completing her Law degree and a Master's degree in Criminal Justice and Crime Control. She is currently studying with BPP in preparation for her Solicitor’s Qualifying Exam. When not working Megan enjoys holidaying abroad, reading thriller novels, live music and spending time with friends and family. Laurie Ali Moxham, Training and Policy Officer Laurie is a training coordinator for IPSEA, ensuring anyone who wants to sign up for a training day finds what they’re looking for and has a great experience. With a background in educational policy and campaigning, they also assist the Policy Team in research and administration. Their interest in policy and the law started while studying art history, where they specialised in art as a means of protest. Laurie has experience working with children with SEND and lives with a physical disability. In their spare time, they enjoy computer gaming, playing DnD and reading historical fiction. Catherine Thomasson, Training Team Supervisor Catherine is a Learning & Development professional with 12 years of experience designing and delivering impactful training programs for a Health & Social Care charity. At IPSEA, she works closely with Laurie to coordinate both face-to-face and online training, supporting the organization’s mission to provide high-quality SEND Law education. With a focus on enhancing the learner experience, Catherine combines her expertise in training management with a strategic approach to drive meaningful outcomes. Outside of work, she enjoys running, pilates, yoga, and is an active member of a local book club
Policy Expand Catriona Moore, Policy Manager Catriona is responsible for IPSEA’s work in bringing about change by influencing the development of SEND policy nationally. Her background is in public policy and communications, and she has worked for a number of charities and public sector organisations, as well as in Parliament. In the past she has served as an elected councillor in a London borough, a special school governor and a charity trustee. She has personal experience of having a disabled child. In her spare time, she enjoys walking, reading, going to the theatre and being by the sea.