Specialist support

Simon Cannon – Behaviour Specialist

After 20 years in teaching (as a deputy head, acting head and head) Simon was looking for a role that allowed him to be creative, build relationships and that had the right ethos. Being a Behaviour Specialist at Aspens fitted that brief perfectly.

Simon studied his PCG at the University of Brighton and also has a PGCE in primary education. He describes Aspens as being like The A Team – they go in to help where others have been unsuccessful. For Simon, empathy and deep, meaningful, active listening is key as is having an inclusive approach.

He has close relationships with a number of families and loves to solve problems alongside them and he remains inspired by the young people he works with.

In his spare time, Simon is a scratch DJ who loves to get the crowds fired up with his funk, soul, hip hop and rare groove mixes. In between work and play, he is a dad of two.

Rosie Lemon - Behaviour Specialist

Rosie joined Aspens as a Specialist Intervention Advisor before becoming a Behaviour Specialist and currently works both roles, writing behaviour and skills assessments and working with families and young people providing one to one support.

Rosie began her career in a residential home for adults (18+) with learning and physical disabilities and ASC, where she worked her way up to the Assistant Manager post. Rosie has worked in various education environments including mainstream secondary schools as a complex needs TA and within a Specialist College as a tutor, providing pastoral and behavioural support for learners.

Rosie found a new home to expand her skill set at Aspens and loves working on a one to one basis with families and young people to support them to find new ways to overcome barriers.

In her own time Rosie enjoys running, swimming and weight lifting, gardening and spending time with her family.

Caehryn Tinker - Specialist Intervention Advisor

Before joining Aspens Caehryn worked on a home school programme, in an Autism Unit and on community art projects.

Caehryn is currently studying for a PHD at the University of Brighton in arts-based research on children who have ASC and Demand Avoidance. They also have a Masters in Autism Studies in Education from the University of Birmingham, as well as a BA in Fine Art from the University of Sheffield, plus a Fine Art Foundation from the Winchester School of Art.

In their sessions, Caehryn uses emotion tool boxes and reward schemes to help children develop their emotional understanding and social skills. Parents are always welcome to join in and learn different coping strategies. Caehryn loves the freedom that the role offers; Specialist Intervention Advisors at Aspens can think creatively and apply theory to practice to help find solutions.

Outside of work, Caehryn enjoys exhibiting their artwork as well as snowboarding, mountain biking and tennis. They are also currently learning how to surf.

Lucy Waller - Specialist Intervention Advisor

Former primary school teacher Lucy graduated from the University of Chichester in 2019 with a BA Honours in Primary teaching with Education Studies, specialising in PE. However, after realising that the traditional class approach was not the right path, she decided to embark upon a career with Aspens as a Specialist Intervention Advisor.

Lucy wants to empower the children she works with. She believes in making her sessions fun and interactive as well as a space that allows them to open up and speak about their feelings. Down time and sensory breaks are important and so there’s often a game of Dobble involved.

Lucy feels as if she is on a journey alongside parents; receiving positive feedback from them is especially rewarding. She offers strategies to help them cope as well as support for siblings.

In her spare time, Lucy spends time at the beach, kayaks, goes running and takes her cockerpoo Winnie for walks.

Kelsey Hutchinson - Specialist Intervention Advisor

Kelsey's first role at Aspens was as a family support worker. She is now a Specialist Intervention Advisor. She previously worked in a children’s centre and in a primary school nurture room, working with children with emotional difficulties.

She has qualifications in mental health first aid, and is trained in suicide prevention, understanding and supporting LGBTQ+, and sensory processing on the ASC.

Kelsey particularly enjoys the variety of young people Aspens works with and the positive impact the team can have on families. She feels rewarded by seeing their achievements after they have left Aspens.

She helps young people manage their anxiety and develop flexible thinking. She wants them to understand their ASC profile and reassures them as they move through daily challenges.

In her time away from work, Kelsey enjoys rugby and football and has just started playing tennis. She likes baking, gardening and nature and spending time with the small people in her life.

Katya Henry – Specialist Intervention Advisor

Katya starting her career with Aspens as a support worker before becoming a Specialist Intervention Advisor. She has a degree in psychology from the University of Brighton, is doing an Open University course in autism and has a qualification in mental health first aid. Before Aspens, Katya worked as a dementia nurse.

Katya’s sessions are designed to help young people build up their social skills and self-esteem. She wants to help children understand their emotions and manage their anger, and to understand what a good friend is.

Katya enjoys how different each day is. Everyone she works with has their own needs and she feels rewarded when she hears from a parent that a strategy has worked. If people achieve their goal, if a child is engaging and something has gone well, she feels a sense of satisfaction. She also loves how the Aspens team talk to each other all the time and share knowledge.

In her spare time, Katya’s usually looking after her three children, taking them roller blading, skateboarding, crazy golfing or on holiday.

Danni Jellet – Specialist Intervention Advisor/Youth Engagement Worker

Danni is Specialist Intervention Advisor and a Youth Engagement Worker. Before joining Aspens she worked at Gatwick Airport as a security officer and has volunteered for Victim Support.

She is studying part time for a degree in psychology with the Open University. Danni has an A level in psychology, an AS level in Health and Social Care as well as Counselling and Communication Skills Part 1.

Danni has always wanted to help people; she wants to be that someone that she didn’t have when she was at school. Now, knowing she’s made an impact, and made a difference, really fulfils her.

During her sessions, she likes to be on the young person’s level, and to build trust and bond with them. She makes her sessions person-centred and is happy to go with what the young person says works.

In her spare time, Danni likes gaming and swimming and practises Brazilian ju-jitsu and kick boxing. She’s also just bought some roller skates which she’s very excited about.

Sophia Giles - Specialist Intervention Advisor

Before joining Aspens Sophia was a support worker for young adults with ASC and mental health conditions and worked as a teaching assistant in a primary school.  Sophia says she found it frustrating that despite a lot of hard work to provide additional support, some students didn't have all their needs met and that she's looking forward to being able to change that through working for Aspens.

Sophia recently enrolled on her final module towards a BA health and social care degree focusing on mental health, children and families.

She has three children, one of which she says has challenging behaviour without diagnosis, providing her with an understanding of the mental, psychical and emotional toll children and parents face. Sophia is excited to share and teach different strategies, life and key skills to help on a long term and daily basis and would love to incorporate music-based therapy where appropriate.

Outside of work Sophia's biggest passion is music and she loves to sing in her spare time, which she says her children don’t always thank her for! Otherwise, she can be found at the park playing football or basketball with her boys or dancing with her daughter, who she says likes to remind her she is not TikTok ready!