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)