Meet our team
We are Witherslack Group. The UK’s leading education provider for children and young people with special educational needs as evidenced by sector leading Ofsted judgements and our unmatched placement stability, school attendance and outcomes for young people.
Our team of Group experts regularly share their specialist knowledge and expertise through videos, articles, podcasts, and other resources.
Ruari Hignell
Lead Practitioner (Safeguarding, Behaviour & Inclusion)
Ruari has over 25 years’ experience supporting children with social, emotional and mental health needs, as well as intellectual disabilities. Starting out as a youth and community worker at 19, he went on to work across schools, social care and family support, later managing a Behaviour Support Service. He is now a Lead Practitioner for Safeguarding, Behaviour and Inclusion for Witherslack Group, collaborating with children, families and staff across schools and residential care homes in the south of England. His work focuses on creating positive, predictable environments and carrying out functional assessments to strengthen the support young people receive.
A senior PRICE instructor and Positive Behaviour Support coach, Ruari has completed the CAPBS PBS Coaches Programme through BILD and is currently working toward becoming a certified Behaviour Analyst. He is committed to holistic, person-centred practice and believes all young people should enjoy a high quality of life both now and into adulthood. Outside of work, he enjoys music and art.
Are you interested in learning more about behaviour support at home for children and young people with autism and ADHD? Watch Ruari's podcast episode below.
Robbert Middleton
Lead Practitioner (Safeguarding, Behaviour & Inclusion)
Rob is an Occupational Therapist with over 20 years of experience supporting autistic children and young adults, alongside those with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. His practice, rooted in strong, authentic relationships, spans both education and residential care. As the Lead Practitioner for Safeguarding, Behaviour and Inclusion, Rob works to create supportive, nurturing environments. He utilizes a deep understanding of trauma and neurodevelopment to champion approaches that prioritize emotional safety, holding certifications as a PBS Coach, PRICE instructor, and in the PACE model.
Rob is intensely focused on reducing and eradicating the use of restraint and has served for the past nine years as an assessor for BILD ACT, evaluating training against the Restraint Reduction Network standards. His mission ensures all advice provides the right level of understanding and opportunity for every individual to thrive. Outside of his professional life, Rob is an avid enthusiast of sports and music, and is a self-confessed geography nerd.
Download our Positive Behaviour Plan below to help support your neurodivergent child or young person.
Alison Gibney
Head of Futures Programme
As Head of the Futures Programme, Ali provides strategic leadership to shape the direction and impact of Futures. This initiative is dedicated to raising aspirations and unlocking potential in young people across the region. Her work is focused on bridging the gap between education and industry, ensuring that young people are inspired, informed, and ultimately well-equipped for the modern world of work.
Ali's passion for shaping a brighter future for all young people is deeply rooted in her personal life, as a mother to three children. It is this natural concern for what the future holds for them that fuels her dedication to the Futures Programme's mission.
She firmly believes that by engaging businesses from a wide range of industries, the programme can open young people's eyes to the possibilities ahead and empower them to become the capable workforce of tomorrow.
Learn more from Ali by watching her webinar below, Building Aspiration: Shaping Your Neurodiverse Child's Future.
David Parkes
Futures Talent Manager
David Parkes is a Talent Manager within the Witherslack Futures Team, providing bespoke employment coaching to Witherslack attendees and alumni as they enter the workforce. He offers tailored guidance on career pathways, CVs, and interview skills, focusing specifically on supporting individuals with complex or neurodiverse needs. David also works with employers to help them understand neurodiversity and recognize the unique strengths these individuals bring. Drawing on over 20 years of experience, including retail management and apprenticeship recruitment across major brands, he is passionate about doing the right thing for every young person. As someone who lives with dyslexia, David values the creativity and resilience that come from thinking differently, ensuring his support leads to meaningful, long-term outcomes.
Are you worried about your child's future? Watch David's webinar to learn practical strategies and advice to help support them.
Donna Dean
Futures Talent Manager
Donna serves as a Key Talent Manager on the Witherslack Group's Futures Team, where her primary focus is empowering young people to confidently navigate their transition into the adult world. She specialises in practical support that builds self-assurance and helps young individuals discover their inherent employability skills. Her dedication lies in exploring and mapping out diverse pathways, providing expert guidance on options ranging from securing meaningful jobs and apprenticeships to applying for college and further education.
Donna brings an exceptionally well-rounded perspective, having worked with young people throughout her entire career in various settings, including Montessori nurseries, primary and secondary schools. Critically, her professional background extends beyond education to include roles within the NHS, BUPA, and the National Apprenticeship Service. This cross-sector experience offers her a unique understanding of different organizational structures and career opportunities, ensuring the advice she provides to Witherslack students is both holistic and strategically informed.
Is your child interested in an apprenticeship? Watch the webinar to learn top tips and advice from Donna.