Mick possesses over 45 years of experience working with adults and young individuals who have learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs. He obtained his initial nursing qualification in 1983 and has since worked in various public and private sector settings.
Mick has served as a Registered Nurse Learning Disabilities (RNLD) for many years and has managed assessment and treatment services in the NHS, as well as secure admission and assessment services in private hospitals. From 1997 to 2002, Mick worked as a Prison Officer, specialising in offence-focused interventions and achieving a PG Cert in the Assessment and Treatment of Sexual Offenders from the University of Leicester.
For 13 years, Mick worked as a forensic practitioner for the NHS in Cheshire, providing support to adults with learning disabilities who were in contact with the criminal justice system. During this time, he earned his MA (Crime and Justice) from the University of Chester. Mick retired in 2020 but has since returned to work part-time as a Lecturer in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities at the University of Chester. He also worked as the Team Manager for children, Young People and Families Services for East Cheshire. Mick has recently joined Empeiria Training as a Trainer/Consultant and is enthusiastic about utilising his extensive experience and knowledge to train learners in the field of Positive Behaviour Support and other subject areas in a proactive and ethical manner. Additionally, Mick offers consultancy services to organisations that support individuals who pose risks that have resulted in their contact with the criminal justice system or are at risk of such contact.
Michelle was recruited by Empeiria due to her extensive experience in various social care settings, including those that cater to youth and children. During her tenure at a supported living provider for adults with learning disabilities, Michelle assumed additional responsibilities as a trainee through the train-the-trainer program, which provided her with the opportunity to impart training. As a result of her exceptional performance and unwavering commitment, she was offered a permanent position at Empeiria. Michelle is a proficient and certified trainer in Moving and Handling and possesses the following qualifications: Level 3 in Training and Education, BA in Youth and Community Work (JNC Registered), Level 3 Diploma in Social Work, and NVQ Level 3 in Children's Care.
Jasmine's professional background is rooted in the education sector, where she has held various positions within mainstream schools. In 2020, Jasmine obtained her Qualified Teacher Status (PGCE Primary), which sparked a keen interest in working with individuals with Special Educational Needs. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Jasmine worked in the supported living sector, which further solidified her passion for working with individuals with disabilities. This led her to Empeiria, where she has been able to combine her love for teaching within the Health and Social Care Sector. Jasmine is committed to promoting values that align with those of Empeiria, which include developing and delivering training programs that promote person-centred practices and teach individuals how to promote independence and opportunities, regardless of perceived barriers. Jasmine possesses the following qualifications: Post Graduate Certificate in Education (with Qualified Teacher Status), Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement and BSc Sports Coaching.
Nicole possesses a wealth of expertise, having accrued 16 years of experience in the field of supporting individuals with learning disabilities and autism. Her professional trajectory has led her to specialise in training social care personnel. Nicole commenced her career with a local authority, subsequently progressed her career in the private social care sector. She is deeply committed to delivering training in a captivating manner, ensuring that trainees not only acquire essential skills but also relish the learning experience. Nicole is a proficient and certified trainer in several domains, including Moving and Handling, Epilepsy and administration of Buccal Midazolam, First Aid, and is a Senior Trainer for Timian.
Catherine possesses two decades of experience in working with adults and young individuals who have learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs. Her career commenced as a support worker, and she later became a registered learning disability nurse in 2011. Catherine has worked in both the NHS and social care sectors and has developed a profound interest in supporting individuals with complex behaviour to lead fulfilling lives in the community, utilising the Positive Behaviour Support model. This led to her obtaining an MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis and Positive Behaviour Support in 2020. Catherine actively seeks to share her experience and passion for supporting individuals in a person-centered and proactive manner by training staff who support people in various settings across the UK.
In addition to training delivery, Catherine works on a consultancy basis for several social care organisations that are working towards or have established a PBS model within their organisation. This includes, at times, the delivery of a work-based learning PBS internship program to develop care staff into PBS roles, which is underpinned by the PBS Academy Standards for Practitioners. This has enabled organisations to upskill their workforce while simultaneously embedding a culture of PBS best practice throughout their organisation. We believe that this is crucial to the successful delivery of PBS in all settings.
Empeiria Training is all about offering training that is unique and bespoke to your organisation and its needs. Backed by decades of experience, we offer a safe environment for face-to-face learning, with our specialism being working with people with learning disabilities.
