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 Parent Support Specialists are here to help parents, carers and families navigate the journey towards finding the right school for their child and supporting them throughout the process.
Simone Mattinson
Group Parent Partnership Manager
Simone Mattinson brings over 11 years of experience in the SEN sector, specializing in all aspects of the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process. Simone holds IPSEA SEN Law Level 2 and Level 3 (Including Tribunal) qualifications, bringing a strong legal foundation to her advocacy and support work. As the Group Parent Partnership Manager, she is dedicated to fostering strong, supportive relationships with families.
Her professional expertise is complemented by her personal journey as a mum to four grown-up children, including a neurodivergent son, which provides her with genuine, lived experience of the challenges families navigate. Outside of work, Simone is a keen road cyclist and enjoys unwinding with a good podcast.
Are you interested in learning more about EHCP's? Watch or listen to Simone's latest episode of SENsational, as she explores the draft EHCP and appeals.
Adele Wadey
Parent Support Specialist
Adele has been working to support parents of children with Special Educational Needs for over 9 years. Having several neurodiverse children, one of whom attended a Witherslack Group School, led to a personal journey through the SEN system which highlighted the vital need for advice and support for parents. Adele’s experiences led to a change in career direction to help others like herself, who are looking for the best way to advocate for their neurodiverse children.
Adele has worked as part of the Admissions Team, run parent workshops, trained staff about the journey of a parent with an autistic child and guided parents on visits to our schools. She is now one of our Parent Support Specialists and has completed her IPSEA SEN Law Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications.
Believing that compassion and a listening ear are the best starting point, Adele combines her personal and professional experience to give support and advice to parents to help them navigate the SEN journey.
Amy Rodgers
Parent Support Specialist
With nearly nine years of experience at Witherslack Group, Amy has had the opportunity to work across a range of roles that have deepened her understanding and passion for supporting children and families. She began her journey as a Teaching Assistant, before progressing to become a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Coach. From there, Amy moved into the role of SENCo Assistant, which further strengthened her insight into special educational needs.
Now, as a Parent Support Specialist, Amy works closely with families to provide guidance, practical strategies, and a listening ear, ensuring they feel supported every step of the way.
Before joining Witherslack Group, Amy gained valuable experience working in nurseries and after-school clubs, where she first developed a commitment to supporting children with SEN.
Paula Harrington
Parent Support Specialist
Paula Harrington brings over 15 years of dedicated experience supporting young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN), driven by a powerful personal mission. Her journey began at home, raising a child with ASD and ADHD. She saw first-hand how easily neurodiverse children could be misunderstood and mislabeled, especially two decades ago when awareness was limited. This motivated Paula to dedicate her career to making a difference.
Her professional background is rich and varied, starting in a residential care home for children with Autism before moving into a specialist independent school. There, she taught subjects like Hospitality and Catering, Citizenship, and Independent Living Skills, focusing on practical skills for life. Now, as part of the Parent Support Team, Paula combines her extensive professional knowledge with her personal empathy to guide families, helping them find the safe, understanding educational environments where their children can truly thrive.