Online information sessions for professionals

Carla has worked with families in a variety of charity settings for 18 years, and has been with the National Deaf Children's Society for 6 years. She is passionate about ensuring our Family Programme meets the needs of all families. She also works with parents and carers to get them involved with us and have an impact on what we do, as well as the local services in their area.

Helen has been with the National Deaf Children's Society for over 10 years. She makes sure our in-person and online Family Programme Events run as smoothly as possible. She is keen to make sure that families get all the information they need to best support their child.

Mark has worked at the National Deaf Children’s Society since 2018. He specialises in education and learning for deaf children in settings suitable for children under five.

Mark primarily works with professionals working in the early years, helping them to overcome barriers to learning and inclusion for deaf young children. 

Prior to this, he worked in nurseries, as a primary school teacher, and as a Higher Education lecturer teaching early childhood development and primary education.

Rosie has worked in participation with children and young people in a variety of settings for 10 years. She has been with the National Deaf Children’s Society for four years. Rosie is passionate about ensuring deaf children and young people’s are involved so they can   influence decision making, service planning and delivery.

Karen has worked for EAL Portsmouth (Portsmouth's Ethnic Minority Achievement Team, known as EMAS) since 2006, and has been the team’s Manager and Lead Advisor for the past four years. An English Language and Literature graduate, she has taught in both junior and secondary schools since completing her PGCE. She also has a background in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL). Karen has vast experience in the adult and family learning world and is an accredited trainer for many local and national assessment for learning (AFL) programmes.

Karen has a Master’s in Education from Sussex University, specialising in Assessment for Learning and EAL, as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Practice and Pedagogy, focusing on teaching English as an additional language (TEAL).

Karen lectures on initial teacher training (ITT) courses, regularly presents at conferences, and trains and supports staff in schools, all whilst working with children and young people. She also manages the DfE-funded Starting Out provision for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children in the city.