Ellen has worked with disabled people for over 20 years, firstly as volunteer and then as an employment officer for young disabled people leaving college. Most recently she was regional director for Pure Innovations, a supported employment organisation.
Ellen worked for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for nine years and led on work related to the development of provision for young people with learning disabilities in education. The aim of the ‘Improving Choice’ pathfinder was to make it easier for young people with higher support needs to access mainstream education so that specialist residential college was no longer the only option. This work led to the development of the Learning for Living and Work framework which was tested as model to improve transition processes and informed the recent thinking of the Department for Education on the single education, health and care plan to replace the current statementing process.
Prior to working for the LSC she worked as a consultant for Hertfordshire County Council on the ‘New Start Strategy’, looking for ways to prevent young people from becoming disaffected with education.
When not working she enjoys relaxing at home, cooking for friends and family and walking with her two dogs.
