IAS are working from home at the moment- Call 07467943495
Who we are
Cheryl Wyatt- Head of IAS Service
Cheryl has been with the service for 8 years, and took over the head of service role from Nicola McGuinness in 2019. Cheryl is also the main contact for the Local Authorities Dispute Resolution Service (DRS), and for statutory assessment (EHC) support. Cheryl had previously worked in the social care sector within families division and then went on to study social sciences at university, but always had a specific interest in special educational law. Cheryl has legal training to IPSEA level 3, and additionally, is qualified to teach adult learners, hosting our parent/ professionals training. Cheryl is mother to a teenage son who has an EHC Plan.
Nan Cooper- IAS Officer (Early Years and Primary)
As well as working for IAS, Nan is also the current chair of the local parent carer forum, and has a wealth of knowledge and experience about the difficulties that parent carers face. Mum to a young person with SEND and an EHC plan, Nan is legally trained to IPSEA advanced level 3 and works with the team part time so that she can continue with her forum duties too. Nan will continue to co-host training for parents and carers with Cheryl.
Mike Hirst- IAS Officer (Secondary and post 16)
IAS Officer and AMITY mentor for young people
Mike has been with the service for many years and has a great deal of expertise in working with families and young people with both SEND and emotional health needs. Mike has IPSEA advanced level 3 legal training. He is also a qualified counsellor and works in schools around Bolton offering 1:1 support to young people. Mike also mentors young people. He is also a father to an adult son with a disability.
Nicola McGuinness- SEND consultant (not office based)
Having previously been the head of service, and working for IAS for many years, Nicola has taken retirement from the day to day service, but is still supporting us in a consultancy role from home. Nicola is a mother to a daughter with a disability and has extensive knowledge in specific conditions affecting children and young people.
Karen Partridge- IAS Officer (Primary to Secondary)
Karen is legally trained at IPSEA advanced level 3 legal. A qualified teacher, Karen has a wealth of experience in Education, having worked in the sector for 38 years. This included schools for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, and SEN provision for children with moderate learning difficulties and complex needs. She also has personal experience of supporting a person with a disability.
Supporting the work of IAS
IAS is based in COG nursery, and are part of the COG family.
The staff at IAS are supported by the business manager, Annette Dodd. We also have two volunteer receptionists, Ailsa Pearcey and Victoria Dodd.
We work alongside Bolton Parent Carer Consortium, and Kidz2gether charity, who champion the work that we do.
