Trainer profiles
Simon Booth - Breaking the Cycle
Simon Booth has been working in training for over 20 years offering group intervention to adults with learning difficulties and complex young people from a range of backgrounds. He has been an active member of the Youth Offending Service for over 13 years employed as a Case Manager, Trainer and Operational Manager. He has years of hands on experience in developing and delivering programmes to young people and adults with complex needs. Simon has been an Operational Manager for 5 years, managing high risk offenders and managing the CAMHS within the criminal justice service. Simon has also been a Foster Carer and a qualified Youth Worker for many years.
Simon currently trains Councils and National Organisations in courses which include: Professional Boundaries, Safeguards; Supervision and Development Assessments, Risk Management, Safeguarding, Safer Caring, Fostering Principles and Attachment, Self-harm and Suicide, Mental Health Awareness, Critical Reflection, Behavioural Management and Effective Communication, Person Centred Practice, Victim Awareness and Restorative Justice, Motivational Interviewing and Solution Focused Therapy.
Louisa McGivney
My journey of teaching children with special educational needs began when I was a specialist teacher in an advisory capacity as part of a Local Authority Autism Outreach Service. This involved providing specialist support and guidance to schools, parents, carers, practitioners and agencies, to ensure learners were given the opportunity to access an effective, meaningful and successful education.
My current role in Coventry is as a specialist advisory teacher for the Complex Communication Team and strategic lead for all training and development in Autism across the County. I am regularly seconded as an intermediary advocate for the Criminal Justice Service; involved in court cases involving children and young adults who are on the Autism spectrum. Firmly believing that inclusion is not simply a destination, but a journey that should be as exciting and fulfilling as possible for all children, by taking account of and responding to, children’s individual strengths, differences and needs.
Helen Harper and Chantelle Davies
Journey/Practice experience: Combined we have extensive social work experience.
Helen has been a longstanding practitioner in Coventry; from social worker right through to operational lead with a vast amount of experience and investment in our Children in Care and numerous years working for our adopted children.
Chantelle has been qualified for a number of years, beginning her journey as a social worker in Leicestershire and joining Coventry’s help and protection team in 2019 before becoming a team manager in the children in care service in 2021, now also taking the lead supporting our children through adoption.
Mandy Beaumont - Occupational Health
Mandy delivers this training for Occupational Health and runs her own First Aid Training Company - MEB Training and has been delivering First Aid Training since 2002. Mandy has also worked for local Adult Education Services delivering NPLQ and First Aid since 1998. Mandy is a Sport Centre Manager at President Kennedy School and has worked there for over 30 years. She is also a pool lifeguard trainer assessor for RLSS and has done this for over 20 years. Recently Mandy has become a mentor so now helps the probationary Trainer Assessor also.
Mandy’s background is with Occupational Health delivering first aid training since 2003.
Julia Davis - Julia & Associates
Journey/Practice experience: CQSW,MA in Social Work, Diploma on Play Therapy, Further training in DDP and Theraplay,
Practice as social worker with children and young people, play therapist with fostering/adoption/special guardian children and young people.
Teaching: Journey/Publications/Company profile/Area of interest:
Training – Attachment and Trauma, Transitions, Therapeutic Parenting , Life-story work, Foundations for Attachment
‘Preparing for Adoption’ 2015, JKP
Kim Chittem -Coordinator- Advanced Social Worker
Journey/Practice experience: Social Worker for over 14 years in various fields including residential care, child protection, neighbourhood teams, IFA and fostering service
Sarah Ali and Blessing Mlalazi
Journey/Practice experience: Both trainers have extensive experience within different parts of Children Services and transferable skills to meet the needs of young people.
Currently working as supervising social workers supporting foster carers.
Teaching: Area of interest:
Diversity/inclusion/cultural sensitivity/race/religion/equality
Safda Mahmood, Jennifer Novakovic
Safda Mahmood - Solicitor and Advocacy Team Leader
Jennifer Novakovic - Case Progression Manager/ Court Performance Manager
Teaching: Journey/Publications/Company profile/Area of interest: Children and Adult Procedures
Elena Allen
Journey/Practice experience: Advisory Teacher / Training Lead for Coventry Virtual School
Qualified Teacher with experience in SEND
Advisory Teacher for Coventry Virtual School with responsibility for supporting and challenging all those involved in the education of children in care.
I work in partnership with the team around the children and education settings to ensure children in care are supported to achieve their full potential
Teaching: Journey/Publications/Company profile/Area of interest:
Experienced in primary teaching, teaching and supporting children with SEND
Advisory teacher for Coventry Virtual School providing advice and support to education settings, social care and foster carers to support the education of children in care
Ina Daugirdaité
Journey/Practice experience: Child and Families Worker, Fostering Support team
I am a qualified children, young people, and family practitioner. Before joining the fostering support team I worked with children and young people in residential homes and supported living.
I am keen to help foster carers feel supported and connected to a wider network whilst navigating their fostering journey.
I am passionate about trauma-informed way of relating, and helping foster carers to develop their therapeutic parenting knowledge and skills.