NAPI - Key Persons
Beth has always wanted to work with children and has worked in nurseries for over 10 year' within a variety of roles from nursery nurse to deputy manager always being the settings SENCO. Having always had a passion for supporting children with additional needs and helping them reach their full potential, that is why Beth loves her job with NAPI especially going into different settings and supporting the staff and children and enhancing their environments and practice.
Beth has just recently joined the NAPI team as an Inclusion support worker in January 2023. Beths previous experience includes working as a ‘learning and support assistant' at Thomas Bewick school, gaining a lot of knowledge supporting children with autism. Also having worked in a private nursery for 3 years, gaining early years' experience. Beth recently completed a degree in health and social care before starting my role at NAPI.
Job Titles:
- Is a NAPI Management Commitee Member. Clare Runs St Margarets Parent and Toddler Group
Kate Lockhart - Is our new Management Committee Member. Kate is the community development officer for wallsend children community. A professional drama facilitator, the creative director and CEO of little big mouth threatre company and project worker for the Josephone and Jack project (SEN).
Debbie is one of our Inclusion Support Workers and has worked for NAPI since April 2014. She is very passionate about children with special needs and her specialism is in Autism. Debbie has a qualification in supporting children and young people with Autism. Debbie's role is to support children with engagement to the best of their abilities using a wide range of activities available in the setting. Also working with the staff to support them to provide for the needs of the child and model and assist in the development of new skills. Whilst working closely with the SEND Outreach service and other professional services. And supporting the settings and parents with the EHCP process.
Job Titles:
- Parent and Toddler Group Support and Guidance Worker
Julie is one of our parent and toddler group support workers and is very passionate about having low-cost social groups for children to be able to interact and learn from birth. Within her role she carries out good practice health and safety checks while also giving relevant advice on how to make a ‘good' toddler group work. Julie is able to signpost to other services that are relevant to parents and carers needs. Julie also helped deliver first words and confident parenting training.
Karen Sitch - Is a NAPI Management Committee Member. Karen has run Chadca group for 11 years and Denton and Westerhope Childminder Drop In for 5 years. Karen is a registered childminder.
Job Titles:
- Community Development Officer
Kate Lockhart - Is our new Management Committee Member. Kate is the community development officer for wallsend children community. A professional drama facilitator, the creative director and CEO of little big mouth threatre company and project worker for the Josephone and Jack project (SEN).
Kimberley joined NAPI in January 2023. With vast experience in business administration and has worked within the charity sector for several years as a data controller and funding admin. Kimberley will be undertaking a NVQ level 2 in business administration with NAPI.
Leah is our new service manager she joined in September 2022. Leah is a professional facilitator in teaching & training in SEN. She has a BA hons in business management, with vast experience in health and social care management while also completing and attending numerous children and parenting courses. Leah is now qualified to facilitate confident parenting to parent/carers. Leah's biggest personal experience is being the parent of a young boy who is neurodiverse and has complex health and social needs, this has helped Leah with her diverse personal and professional experience.
Mary Trappe - Is the Secretary for NAPI Management Committee.Mary is a registered childminder and has been involved in childcare for over 30 years. Mary is also the chair for Newcastle Childminding Association and has been involved in providing support to Childminders through Drop In sessions across the city.
Job Titles:
- Children Families and Toddlers Group Support Worker
Sarah has been part of NAPI for 17 years. She has a passion to make learning fun and enjoys being on the same level as the children she works with seeing them learn and grow through play. Sarah visits all our voluntary parent a toddler groups across the city delivering good practice risk assessment visits and helps to set up and signpost leaders and families. Sarah also helps deliver first words, incredible years and confident parenting courses.
Shelia Gillie - Is a NAPI Management Committee Member. Shelia runs Fenham Childminder Drop-In, she is a registered childminder.
Sue Newton - Is the Chair for NAPI Management Committee and has been on the committee for a number of years. Sue is also Manager of Heaton Community Centre and has been awarded an MBE for services to the community in Heaton.
Job Titles:
- Additional Needs Support Worker for Play and Toys
Vicky is our new Additional Needs Support Worker for Play and Toys she started in September 2022. Vicky currently runs three play and toy loan sessions for children with diagnosed and undiagnosed additional needs and their families called Rainbow Borrowers. Where she also meets families of children with diagnosed and undiagnosed additional needs and introduces them to our Toy Store where they can loan and return items. Often offering advice and making recommendations. As well as this Vicky works alongside all professionals such as Health Visitors, Speech and Language Therapists, Physiotherapists and Specialist Teachers, receiving referrals and participating in home visits with them to advise and support.