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!

Ellie Mackenzie-Kemp – Specialist Intervention Advisor

Ellie has recently graduated from Oxford Brookes university with a degree in Psychology. Since studying Psychology at A-Level, Ellie has always been interested in learning about the reasons behind certain behaviours and why individuals act in the ways they do. In her degree, Ellie completed a module on developmental disorders which included various conditions such as Autism, Asperger Syndrome, ADHD, DCD and reading and language disorders. She enjoyed studying this module and is looking forward to continuing her learning and discovering more when working for Aspens.

Ellie has always had a passion for helping others and providing support to anyone in need. In her sessions she believes it’s vital to build a good relationship with the young person, so they can trust her and feel comfortable to talk about anything. Ellie sees fun as an important way to engage with the young person, so if they are finding it difficult at first to open up she uses activities the young person finds enjoyable to make them feel comfortable, with a person-centered approach.

In her spare time, Ellie likes going for walks along the beach and spending time with family and friends. She also likes going to the cinema and going out for food. Ellie loves a self-care evening which involves a having a bath, putting on a face-mask and enjoying her favourite foods (usually lots of chocolate!).

Amy Gunn – Specialist Intervention Advisor

Amy has recently graduated from the University of Northampton with a BSc Honours in Psychology and Counselling. She has had a passion for psychology since studying it at A Level and quickly knew it was what she wanted to have a career in. When she found out about the work that Aspens does she chose to follow this path to begin her career.

Amy wants to help the children that she works with realise that getting support from Aspens is a brave first step and that this is a huge part of their journey. She wants to help to put the children at ease and help them to manage their anxieties, learning strategies to help them deal with their daily lives and understanding more about what is it they are experiencing.

Making a difference to the lives of the children and young people Amy sees plays a huge part of what she is about. She wants to be that person that they know they can trust.

Amy aims for the children and young people she works with to have fun and enjoy their sessions, and welcomes games and relaxed conversations, with an emphasis on the young person choosing an activity they would like to do, to help them engage in the support and feel comfortable to express themselves.

In her spare time, Amy likes to spend time with her friends and family. She likes walking her dog, Maggie, and going out for nice meals. Amy thinks that good food is the best way to make a day complete. She also enjoys mindfulness and meditation.