Jane has worked for over twenty five years with disabled children and adults as well as working with people with mental health problems. A social worker by background, she is passionate about creating innovative solutions to challenge traditional service models. Jane now works as an Independent Consultant.
During the 1990s Jane held a number of joint appointments in health and social care, commissioning community-based supported living. She soon realised that working in close partnership with user groups as active citizens had a radical effect on the level of independence that people could achieve once they had left behind institutional settings and attitudes.
Jane has since worked with the Special Educational Needs Regional Partnerships across England and was funded by the DfE to research the use of out-of-authority residential placements. She has worked for a number of local authorities to develop local alternative solutions to residential placements, using a personalised approach and training support workers.
Other consultancy has included working on the National Transition Support Programme and developing short breaks for disabled children under the Aiming High for Disabled Children Programme. Jane is passionate about creating adventurous and challenging activities for disabled children and adults. This includes working with Outdoor Learning Centres and more recently the Youth Hostel Association to develop activities including camping, climbing and sailing instead of traditional residential care services.
Jane loves walking with her Chocolate Labrador, Charlie, as well as sharing her daughter’s passion for horses.
