Meet the Team
Andrea Phelps-Brown
RNLD, PBS dip, ADOS trained, ADI-R trained, DIVA 5 trained, Sleep Counsellor, Founder and Director
l am a mum of 2 beautiful girls, both of whom are neurodivergent and a crazy collie dog probably also neurodivergent.
I have been a teacher for 25 years, a SENCO for 12 years and also an Inclusion lead, I am a trained autism assessor and have experience of working with young people with additional needs and disabilities as a
Resource Provision Lead.
I have worked in specialist provisions, mainstream schools, local authorities and have also been an Initial Teacher Training Tutor and QTS Assessor as well as a partner on the NASENCO Award for MMU I became an autism assessor when I found out that my youngest daughter was autistic as I felt that my experience in teaching and SEND would be a valuable way of supporting our neurodivergent young people to understand themselves and their place in the education system.
Penny Millington
RNLD, PBS dip, ADOS trained, ADI-R trained, DIVA 5 trained, ACIA trained, Sleep Counsellor, Founder and Director
I am a learning disability nurse with 40 plus years’ experience working in the neuro development arena.
I am trained by the Tizard centre in the positive behaviour support model. I am ADOS 2 trained, ADI-R trained, trained in Autism Clinical Interview for Adults (ACIA) Training I also hold my sleep practitioner certificate.
I have worked for many years in children and young peoples mental health services.
I have been published for my work in the field of positive behaviour support and received awards for my work in the learning disability field.
I enjoy exercising and am a Personal trainer.
I am passionate about providing a high-quality service which is affordable.
Nicola Lee
Specialist Mental Health Nurse | ADHD & ASC Assessments/Director
With over 30 years of experience in mental health services, Nicky is a registered Specialist Mental Health Nurse with a wealth of expertise in both Adult and Children’s Mental Health. Since qualifying in 1991, she has worked across a wide range of mental health services, including in-patient and community Mental Health services, eating disorder adult and children’s teams, youth justice, and primary care settings.
Nicky is fully qualified to assess and diagnose Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) having completed DIVA and Young DIVA assessment training . She has completed comprehensive Autism assessment training including ADOS -2 , BOSA online adaptation and ADI-R certificates and has worked extensively with individuals and families affected by neurodevelopmental conditions throughout her career.
In addition to her diagnostic expertise, Nicky is a trained EMDR Trauma Therapist and holds qualifications in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Systemic Family Therapy, and trauma-informed approaches .. She is passionate about providing holistic, compassionate care tailored to each individual's needs.
Beyond her clinical work, Nicky has delivered training on Mental Health and Autism to a range of organisations, including schools, counselling services, and children’s social care teams.
In her personal time, Nicky enjoys spending time outdoors with her two dogs, taking long walks in the countryside to unwind.
Our Multi-Disciplinary Team
We work with a number of caring and skilled professionals.
They support us with assessment processes, diagnostic discussions and quality assurance of our support.
Dr Richard Skelton
Psychologist
Richard brings over 15 years of experience as an Educational Psychologist working extensively with children and young people across nursery, primary, secondary, and specialist settings. His practice is built on the understanding that each young person's story is unique and deserves to be heard. By taking time to understand not just individual needs, but also strengths, interests, and aspirations, Richard helps create a complete picture that leads to meaningful support and positive outcomes.
His comprehensive experience spans emotional wellbeing, communication, neuropsychology, and the vital environmental factors that shape how young people engage with their world. This holistic understanding, combined with his systematic approach to assessment, enables him to contribute valuable insights as part of our multidisciplinary team, ensuring that every assessment thoughtfully considers the full complexity of a young person's life and experiences.
Richard deeply values that each autistic young person has their own unique way of experiencing and interacting with their world, and brings this person-centred understanding to every assessment. His approach combines compassionate understanding with evidence-based practice, which contributes to maintaining robust assessment processes while keeping the individual child or young person at the heart of everything we do. Working collaboratively with families, education settings and other professionals, Richard specialises in translating comprehensive assessments into practical, actionable recommendations that make a meaningful difference in young people's lives across home, school and community settings.
Sarah Perry
Occupational Therapist
Sarah is a highly-experienced Occupational Therapist, and brings almost 20 years of expertise to the team. For the past 12 years.
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Sarah has worked in Children’s Mental Health Services as a Mental Health Practitioner and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.
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Sarah works collaboratively with young people and their families, empowering them to engage in meaningful activities, fostering independence and promoting well-being. Through focused assessments, careful analysis of activities and detailed examination of tasks, she addresses barriers and identifies effective adaptations to promote participation in day-to-day activities, play and social interactions.
Sarah’s skills and experience as an Occupational Therapist will contribute valuable insights to the multi-disciplinary team, taking into account the holistic needs of the young person and their families.
Ali Comline
Cheshire Dyslexia
My name is Ali Comline, I am an experienced teacher working with children and young people with special education needs.
Following my son’s diagnosis of dyslexia, I completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Dyslexia Research and Practice. I am a fully qualified specialist dyslexia assessor and tutor with Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA), Professional Membership of Patoss, and a current Assessment Practising Certificate (APC). My specialist qualifications can be verified with the British Dyslexia Association (BDA), Patoss and SASC.
I work independently and can carry out diagnostic assessments in schools, colleges, the workplace, or at the Cheshire Dyslexia premises. Assessments can be commissioned by parents, schools, or the individual. I hold a current full DBS certificate and insurance.
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Speech and Language Therapist
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Profile to be added soon