About
A creative response to the growing need for mental health services and educational services for neurodiverse young people
Creative wellbeing
We support young people with additional needs, and their families, by building relationships and offering mentoring, coaching, tutoring and consulting.
Having worked with young people and their families in school settings for over 30 years, we recognise a growing gap between additional needs and available resources. Our service aims to:
Having worked with young people and their families in school settings for over 30 years, we recognise a growing gap between additional needs and available resources. Our service aims to:
- provide practical assistance until formal professional help is accessed
- bridge the gap due to long wait lists for CAMHs referrals for autism / anxiety and other assessment services
- help manage the escalation of presenting problems
- provide ongoing, affordable support following assessment
- provide information and guidance to navigate school and professional support
services
Coaching and Mentoring
1:1 or family sessions exploring strategies to enable young people to live their best lives. The Decider Skills (CBT and DBT ) are used in an adapted and creative way
Learn MoreHome School Support
Comprehensive SENDco support and advice for young people learning at home
Learn Morewhat parents say
'Lorraine has changed the trajectory of our daughter's life!'
'Lorraine is simply marvelous! Firstly, her vast experience in SEN means that she is able to adapt sessions to target your child’s individual needs & offer you very specific feedback. Secondly, her sessions are varied, fun and multi sensory, so your child remains attentive and engaged. Thirdly, and crucially, Lorraine is just a wonderfully warm, encouraging, positive presence - my (often shy) child was immediately at ease with her. They laugh together frequently and he’s making huge progress without even realising it ! I would recommend Lorraine without hesitation.'
(Mum of a young person with dyslexia)
'Lorraine is giving us invaluable advice as we navigate our way through the tricky world of raising an autistic girl with severe anxiety. Our daughter has a lot of school-based anxiety and Lorraine has brought incredibly sharp and refreshing insights and given us new ideas on different strategies at home and in school. Lorraine has acted as an advocate for us in conversations with the school and has fed into the EHCP process. She has also spent a lot of time and effort building up a positive relationship with our daughter through craft and calming activities, which give our daughter an important creative outlet and opportunities for exploration of her anxiety. I would highly recommend Lorraine as a highly experienced professional who has brought new ideas and knowledge to the table.'
'Lorraine is simply marvelous! Firstly, her vast experience in SEN means that she is able to adapt sessions to target your child’s individual needs & offer you very specific feedback. Secondly, her sessions are varied, fun and multi sensory, so your child remains attentive and engaged. Thirdly, and crucially, Lorraine is just a wonderfully warm, encouraging, positive presence - my (often shy) child was immediately at ease with her. They laugh together frequently and he’s making huge progress without even realising it ! I would recommend Lorraine without hesitation.'
(Mum of a young person with dyslexia)
'Lorraine is giving us invaluable advice as we navigate our way through the tricky world of raising an autistic girl with severe anxiety. Our daughter has a lot of school-based anxiety and Lorraine has brought incredibly sharp and refreshing insights and given us new ideas on different strategies at home and in school. Lorraine has acted as an advocate for us in conversations with the school and has fed into the EHCP process. She has also spent a lot of time and effort building up a positive relationship with our daughter through craft and calming activities, which give our daughter an important creative outlet and opportunities for exploration of her anxiety. I would highly recommend Lorraine as a highly experienced professional who has brought new ideas and knowledge to the table.'
Our MIssion Statement
We believe that everyone has strengths and an important contribution to make to those around them.
We recognise that anxiety can be a barrier to this potential being realised.
We give hope to young people and their families, helping them believe they can lead their best lives.
We use our passion, knowledge and experience to empower families and young people to manage anxiety rather than allowing anxiety to manage them.
We journey alongside our clients discovering and exploring their strengths and developing strategies to manage the challenges they face.
We aim to make a difference in every session.
We recognise that anxiety can be a barrier to this potential being realised.
We give hope to young people and their families, helping them believe they can lead their best lives.
We use our passion, knowledge and experience to empower families and young people to manage anxiety rather than allowing anxiety to manage them.
We journey alongside our clients discovering and exploring their strengths and developing strategies to manage the challenges they face.
We aim to make a difference in every session.
Your Questions Answered
The Willow Team
Who is Willow?
A growing team of Willow associates is made up of educators with years of experience working in schools with young people with additional needs. We all have post graduate qualifications and we are committed to attending ongoing training.
We are all DBS checked.
Lorraine Payne is the owner of Willow and the main consultant
She has worked in education for 35 years.For her last 17 years in mainstream education, she has been a SENDCo in state and independent schools with her last role as Head of Academic and Learning Support for ages 3-18.
Initially supporting students with SpLD, social skills, study skills, and exam strategy, her specialism has developed into supporting students with ADHD, ASC and SEMH. She has recently completed a Master’s degree in SEND with a research project on Equipping parents to support children's mental wellbeing.
Lorraine has also worked as an Educational Consultant on the autism team of SEND Supported and is part of the EOTAS (Education Other Than At School) package for 3 young people through the local authority.
Lorraine is qualified to work with The Decider Skills which teach distilled Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Dialetical Behaviour Therapy.
She is trained in the use of Social Stories and PACE and has completed a Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Introduction to Counselling Skills.
Qualifications: Higher Diploma in Education, BA (Hons), Post Graduate Diploma in SEND including CPT3A for assessment and access arrangements. MA ED SEND. Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Introduction to Counselling Skills.
Registered with the British Psychological Society - Membership Number : RQTU 334294
Tim Lee – Teacher and Mentor
Born in South Africa, Tim trained in Primary Education. He has worked with children and adults as a teacher, headteacher, coach and mentor; and in Adult Education and Training as a Training Manager in the business sector.
Teaching is Tim’s passion. He taught in South Africa and Botswana before moving to the U.K. in 1998 to take up a role as Headteacher of a primary school.
Leading three schools in England and an independent school the Middle East, he has embraced the individuality of students and their families, valued the co-operation of agencies and support services, and respected the differing needs and circumstances of everyone with whom he has been privileged to engage.
Qualifications: Higher Diploma in Education, National Professional Qualification in Headship.
Carolyn Seymour - Consultant and Advocate
Working to get a child or young person the support they need to access education, and empowering parents through knowledge and advocacy.
I can support with:
- understanding the SEND process including SEND-Support and EHCPs
- reading and explaining professionals' reports and creating a simple, comprehensive SEND-Needs document
- supporting throughout the EHCP process including completing the request to assess documentation, proof reading draft EHCPs for compliance and advising on appeals
- understanding what the school and LA are saying by cutting through the jargon and acronyms
- attending meetings with parents and schools to help them better support the young person in their setting.
Who Am I?
- I work with Willow as an Education Consultant and Advocate
- I am IPSEA Level 3 SEND Law qualified.
- I worked in education for over 25 years, 7 as Headteacher of a large primary school in inner city Birmingham.
- I left my role to support my own neurodivergent children and fight to get them a suitable education.
Jane Gray: Independent SEND Practitioner, specialising in Social, Emotional and Mental Health.
I have over 16 years teaching experience across Early Years, Primary and Secondary schools. As well as being primary SENDCo for 10 years, I’ve also held senior roles in mental health and safeguarding. I hold a Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing (CCET) and am a registered test user with the BPS.
I am always happy to meet people at whatever stage they are on along their SEND journey - whether it’s figuring out where to get more help, support for filling in forms, understanding a new diagnosis, applying for assessments or looking for direct support.
I am trained Advanced Drawing and Talking therapy practitioner; delivering low intensity 1-1 and group therapeutic play work with children aged 4 and up including Sandplay and emotion coaching. For some children, accessing psychological support is incredibly difficult for a whole variety of reasons; this is where a more gentle approach is valuable. Trauma-informed play work as well as toolkits such as Zones of Regulation, can help prepare the way for accessing other support at a later date or support a child or young person while they are on a waiting list for more specialist help.
I also work with siblings of children with SEND (who may need support in managing their own feelings and life events) and also parents/carers and education staff (supporting the needs of others impacts everyone around them).
Qualifications: BA (Hons), PGCE, MA, PG Dip Inclusion & NASENCO Award, Advanced Drawing and Talking Practitioner, CCET & Registered with the British Psychological Society RQTU (775406)
Marilyn Pain: Specialist assessor and Maths tutor
I have taught maths for 40 years in state and independent schools in South Africa and the UK. I have been a maths tutor in a private capacity for most of my teaching career- helping pupils who need help to access
the maths curriculum as well as helping pupils to achieve their highest potential. I enjoy starting where the pupil is and then taking them step-by-step to where they should be, in a way of teaching that they can
understand and enjoy. (Although my sons do say that I am the only person who ever uses the words “Maths” and “enjoy” in the same sentence!)
I have one son who is ADHD and one son who is Dyslexic and I have learnt as much about these 2 conditions from them as I have from my studying over the last 45 years, hence I am passionate about
providing interventions and support to my pupils of special needs.
I enjoy travelling and meeting up with friends who live in different parts of the world. I am a member of the National trust and enjoy visiting their properties. I am a trustee of a UK registered charity which raises
funds for Phakamisa- a Methodist Church charity that supports Aids orphans in South Africa. I enjoy reading when I have time.
The last 15 years I have worked in the SEN Department at 2 different independent schools in Hertfordshire as Year 7,8 and 9 Special Needs Co-ordinator; completing assessments; provided support to pupils,
teachers, parents and heads of house; teaching study skills; and tutoring maths on a 1:1 basis as well as in small groups and have recently retired from full time teaching.
I am a professionally qualified assessor for special needs/dyslexia and have been completing full diagnostic reports since 2017. I have recently completed my second renewal for my professional qualification- APC
(Assessment Practising Certificate). My reports are used for pupils at school for a diagnosis of dyslexia and for advice and recommendations; as well as to facilitate Exam Access Arrangements.
My reports have also been used by students at university requiring Disability Student Allowance needs assessment. I have completed training in identifying (not diagnosing) ADHD in post 16 students.
Qualifications : Higher Diploma in Education majoring in Maths and English
Further Diploma in Education majoring in Guidance Counselling
Batchelor of Arts majoring in English and Psychology
OCR Level 5 Certificate in Teaching Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) (21June 2012)
OCR Level 7 Diploma in Teaching and Assessing Learners with Dyslexia/Specific Learning Difficulties (28
February 2017)
Current Practising Certificate and issuing body:
SpLD Assessment Practising Certificate Number and issuing body: 500002593-IF5690 issued by Patoss (SASC registered.)
Disclaimer
We are educators, not counsellors or therapists.
We are not equipped to deal with complex family mental health difficulties or with individuals who are self- harming or struggling with an eating disorder. If there is evidence of receiving support from specialists in these areas, we may consider providing a service after consultation and a risk assessment.
Please disclose any relevant information at the initial no obligation session and we will let you know if we can help or we may be able to sign post you to someone who can. If we become aware of any complex issues during our sessions, we reserve the right to end the session (with no refund), and only resume once we have discussed the issue further with you and the professional involved and completed a risk assessment.
We are not equipped to deal with complex family mental health difficulties or with individuals who are self- harming or struggling with an eating disorder. If there is evidence of receiving support from specialists in these areas, we may consider providing a service after consultation and a risk assessment.
Please disclose any relevant information at the initial no obligation session and we will let you know if we can help or we may be able to sign post you to someone who can. If we become aware of any complex issues during our sessions, we reserve the right to end the session (with no refund), and only resume once we have discussed the issue further with you and the professional involved and completed a risk assessment.
POLICIES
Contact
- Snitterfield, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK
- willowamlp@gmail.com
- Office hours Mon-Frid 8am to 5pm Extended hours for support sessions by arrangement
Please contact us by email in the first instance. We check emails regularly and we will be in contact as soon as possible.
Watch This Space
Coming soon....
A resource page with links to helpful books, websites, organisations and podcasts
Our own Willow Blogs written by our team members
Podcasts to play to manage anxiety
A resource page with links to helpful books, websites, organisations and podcasts
Our own Willow Blogs written by our team members
Podcasts to play to manage anxiety
