Meet the Team

 CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES

 In line with recommended best practice all our trustees, staff and volunteers undergo either an EDBS (with a barred list check) or a DBS Check depending on their role.  They also complete a range of CPD training to update their professional skills and ensure they have the appropriate levels of Safeguarding Training.

Jan Rock   

CEO & Case Manager

Jan has lived-experience of acquired brain injury in children, young people and adults.  She has a degree in Public Service Management, Certificate In Lean Organisation Management and is an experienced Prince2 Practitioner.  Jan also has several CPD leadership qualifications and often speaks at professionally focused Brain Injury Conferences.    Her Continuous Professional Development training includes: Paediatric Acquired Brain Injury; Special Education Needs and Disability; Paediatric neuro-rehabilitation; Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy; and Understanding children with SEBCMH issues.  Jan manages the charity day-to-day, oversees a range of complex cases, and she delivers acquired brain injury awareness training to a range of professionals, sectors and organisations.   In her private life she loves spending time with her family and getting out and about in the countryside. 

ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (ABI SEN) TEAM

Janet Gamesby

Specialist SEN Coach

Janet has 17 years’ experience of working in secondary education within the SEND team supporting young people with a range of complex disabilities. She is a qualified  Higher-Level Teaching Assistant and holds qualifications in Dyslexia and Safeguarding to Level 3.  Janet is also very aware of the negative impact an acquired brain injury – as a hidden disability – can have on a child’s ongoing development and educational outcomes.  After hearing Callum’s story, Janet initially contacted us about doing some volunteering work.    During this time, she felt inspired by the work we do for brain injured children and young people and saw working here as a unique opportunity to use her skills and experience to support this neglected cohort to achieve their long-term recovery goals.  When the ABI Support Worker post was advertised, she applied and is now excited to be part of this innovative team.  Janet has since completed a course in  Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy that she applies to her day-to-day SEN work.     In her private life, Janet’s family are very important to her and she enjoys spending time with them.  She also likes to go walking and swimming in her leisure time.

Elyssia Harrison

Specialist SEN Coach

Elyssia is a qualified Teacher in Primary Education and gained a First in her Teaching Degree, in which she chose to specialise in Science.  She has many years experience in supporting children and young people with special education needs, multiple and severe learning difficulties and physical disabilities.   Elyssia has also done a lot of successful work around improving behaviour and is experienced in completing ‘assessment for learning’ techniques and strategies.  Her work around differentiated questioning and Peer Assessments has been highly praised.   Elyssia is also very experienced in using PECS and Makaton sign language and is passionate about ensuring children are inspired engaged and understood.   She also recognises the importance of nurturing moral, social and spiritual beliefs and that children should feel safe, uplifted and encouraged whatever their background and beliefs.    Elyssia has completed a range of professional CPD courses, including Safeguarding Children with SEND and Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy, and is committed to continually developing her own knowledge of brain injury and its complex effects on children and young people.  In her private life, she loves spending time with her young family.

ABI Support Worker – Vacancy 

Classroom Assistant/Teaching Support Worker – Vacancy

Christine Sherred

SEN Administrator/Resource Worker

Christine provides administrative support to the SEN team and manages our Resource Library.  She has lived-experience of acquired brain injury both in children and adults and understands the devastating impact of a lack of recovery support available to children and young people post acquired brain injury.

FAMILY SUPPORT TEAM

Family Support Worker – Vacant Post

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT STAFF

Elle Robinson

Administration Apprentice

Elle is our Business Admin apprentice who started in January 2022.  She enjoys learning new things each day that will expand her knowledge and help her develop new skills that she can use for the future. She took an interest in business administration, after working during the summer holidays at her Grandads business, helping him around the office and gaining valuable office experience. This inspired her apply for the apprenticeship role.  Elle chose to come and complete her apprenticeship with us, as we offered her the opportunity to do everything she would like to do within business admin and she liked what MATRIX did and stood for; helping and supporting children and young adults with acquired brain injuries.

VOLUNTEERS

Our office volunteers all live locally and provide a range of essential support functions.                               

 Laura Preston

 Admin Volunteer 

Laura is our Administration Volunteer who chose to volunteer with us as she wanted a change of direction into office work but lacked the relevant experience.  Laura is enjoying her time volunteering with us and she receives both certified training and on-the-job training to expand her skills and knowledge.  Since starting with us she has also developed a passion for the work we do.  Every day that Laura comes into the office, she makes a significant contribution to our work and has integrated into MATRIX quickly to become a much valued member of our Team.  

STAFF AND VOLUNTEER SURVEY MARCH 2022