Meet the Team
Alison Hardwick
I have two roles in SAP - for three days a week I am employed by Notts CC as an SEMH Specialist Teacher working with schools to help support children, staff & families, and for two days a week I am paid directly by the partnership to be Lead Teacher managing policies & procedures, team leadership, finances etc. I have always worked in primary education in Nottinghamshire in a variety of roles - class teacher, SENCO, Early Years Specialist Teacher and SEMH Specialist Teacher. I work with a firm belief that strong relationships are at the heart of all our work - for children, for staff, for agencies supporting schools and for families.
When I'm not working I'm surviving living with 4 teenagers, a cat and my very patient partner. I'm trying hard to complete Couch to 5k, and I'm part of Rock Choir so you might see (or hear) me singing in the car whilst I'm driving between school appointments.
Lee Cook
Forest School Leader
I’ve been in education for the last 30 years. Mostly as a primary school classroom teacher. But also as an Art Therapist and now a Forest School Leader. As a Forest School Leader within the SAP team I help schools develop their site to run Forest School sessions and model good practise to staff with children. My role in SAP also includes working with individual children, parent/child groups and staff training.
Kathie Swinfield
My name is Kathie and my role within SAP is specialist SEMH Support Worker. I have worked in education for over 13 years with post 16 teens in colleges and with secondary children in a pupil referral unit, supporting young people with challenging behaviour. I have experience working pastorally within behaviour and emotional well being in primary and secondary schools. My professional experience has reinforced my belief that all behaviour is a form of communication and that the more challenging the behaviour, the more there is an unmet need the young person needs support with. I can deliver Drawing & Talking . I often use art as part of my mentoring and interventions, as I believe creative expression is a powerful tool to help children process emotions. I also feel passionately about the importance of mindfulness, emotional health and well- being and try to incorporate this within my work.
Liz White
My name is Liz White. I’ve been a Teacher for 16 years. I started my career in Nottingham City and then moved to Wynndale Primary School in Mansfield. I still work at Wynndale three days a week (Monday to Wednesday) as SENCO and Inclusion Lead. I am also one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads. I was lucky enough to join the Sherwood Area Partnership team as a Social, Emotional and Mental Health Specialist Teacher in September 2021. My working days for SAP are Thursdays and Fridays. I have completed a wide range of training in pastoral support and mental health and wellbeing, including being a qualified Mental Health First Aider
Sally Wileman
I am a Person Centred Counsellor with over 12 years’ experience. I have worked in the NHS (for CAMHS) and the voluntary sector. I can work with children, young people and adults with a range of needs including anxiety, depression, fears or phobias, anger, self-harm, bereavement, relationship problems, domestic violence, abuse and identity issues. I offer play based therapy for younger children. I work for SAP 2 ½ days a week based at St Johns Centre in Mansfield.
Rachel Lane