The Family Support Team now consists of 7 professionals, who all work closely together with the aim of empowering you to help you achieve the best outcome for your family and to work in partnership with you to achieve the best for your child.

We provide 1:1 emotional and practical support. Between us we have a range  of skills and a wealth of experience.

Who's in our team

Jessica Ellinor

Drama and Movement Therapist

I am a qualified Drama and Movement Therapist (Royal Central School of Speech and Drama) and a Creative Arts Supervisor. I am also a fully trained EMDR Therapist (EMDR Europe Accredited) and hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Childhood Bereavement, along with a foundation in Group Analysis. I offer individual and group therapy for children, as well as family therapy sessions. In addition to my clinical work, I supervise and oversee trainee arts therapists from a range of disciplines and universities whilst they are on placement at Oakleigh/Acorn.

Caroline Poulson

Music Therapist

I am a Music Therapist from Roehampton University and a Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapist from University College London (UCL). I provide family therapy sessions as well as individual music therapy sessions for the children using creativity and attunement, to support emotional expression, communication and wellbeing.

Claire Marsh

Family Support Worker: KS1 & KS2

I work closely alongside the Family Support Team and with all the professionals to find the best way I can support you. I am available to help your family at home with communication, visuals, mealtimes, toileting, behaviour strategies, breakfast time and sleep routine. Please feel free to contact me via email.

Debbie Holt

Family Support Worker: Acorn and Early Years

I work closely with the family support team and alongside your child's class team. I am available to help you at home with communication, positive behaviour strategies, eating and drinking, sleep routines and toileting. I can provide your family with relevant guidance and resources to support your child and family with daily living.  Please feel free to contact me via email.

Lola Alvarez

Child Psychotherapist

Having a child with Learning Disabilities takes you into a journey that perhaps you had not foreseen and where things are not always the way they were supposed to be. At times you might feel that you have no space to think about your own needs and worries. You might also be worrying about what the future holds for your child or perhaps about the impact it could be having on the other members of the family. It can sometimes be helpful to share these concerns. I offer 'A Space to Think' to help parents and families to find a way forward. The sessions are completely confidential.

Marion Levine

 Child Psychotherapist

Having worked as a classroom assistant for many years at Oakleigh School, I am very aware of the pressures and stresses that come with having a child with disabilities. Many parents face huge challenges which may bring up unfamiliar and difficult feelings which, in turn, can feel difficult to manage. Now, as a psychotherapist, I work alongside the family support team offering parents the chance to explore some of these feelings, to offload, share and talk about how this is impacting their lives. This is a safe and confidential space where parents can think about their own needs and how they might move forward into the future.

Jill Smith

Early Intervention Co-ordinator

Some families have problems and crisis at different times in their lives which may affect their children.  My role at Oakleigh is to assess the needs of a family and suggest and work with external services and agencies that may be able to help them.  I work closely with the Senior Leadership Team, Teaching Staff and other Parent Support Staff in order to make informed decisions about what is best for you and your family.

When we’re available:

• Jessica Ellinor
  Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
• Caroline Poulson
  Monday 
• Claire Marsh
  Tuesday - Thursday
• Debbie Holt
  Tuesday - Friday
• Lola Alvarez
  Thursday
• Marion Levine

         Wednesdays 

• Jill Smith
  Monday and Thursday morning

THE FOLLOWING TRAINING IS BEING OFFERED BY THE BARNET CHILDREN’S INTEGRATED THERAPIES: