About Us
Talking SENse! is a registered charity offering independent and affordable services to parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities. It was founded by Ken Upton working in partnership with a range of other parents. It was these parents that agreed the name and the logo.
I have first-hand experience of the SEN system when applying for my son’s statement. It was not easy and I needed the specialist knowledge and expertise that Talking SENse! provides.
We provide independent specialist advice, advocacy and support to parents on local authorities’ legal duties to assess and provide for children with special educational needs. If necessary we support parents in appealing to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal including representation if required. Our experienced case workers understand the responsibility, stress and anguish that having a child with special educational needs places on parents.
We are dedicated to working with you, to understand the needs of your child.
Our People
Ken Upton
Position: Founder and Secretary
Ken Upton has an accreditation in special educational needs and disabilities accredited by the University of Westminster and validated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority.
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He has worked in the area of special educational needs with parents, schools and voluntary organisations for almost two decades. Most recently he has provided legally based advice to parents as an advice line volunteer for IPSEA and has also trained and mentored some of their prospective volunteers.
He is specialist SEN Adviser to Walsall PROUD (Parents Relatives and Others Understanding Downs).
He previously managed the Walsall Parent Partnership Service, sat on various special educational needs and disability user groups and delivered training to parents, schools, local authorities and voluntary organisations.
Jo Yarnall
Position: Trustee
I'm a single mom to three children, my eldest having Down's Syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and rheumatoid juvenile arthritis. I set up a Down's Syndrome charity nine years ago called PROUD (Parents Relatives and Others Understanding Downs) and also trained as a Makaton tutor. In addition to this I am involved in parent participation with the local authority.
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Teresa Tunnell
Position: Chair
Hi, I'm mum to a teenage son who has a profound learning disability. For a number of years now I have been involved in parent participation with the local authority to improve services for children with disabilities and special educational needs.
I started off by attending strategic meetings in the authority as a parent representative. Eventually a parent participation group was set up and I regularly attend their meetings. I also helped set up and run Family Voice Walsall and used to be on the committee. While my son was at primary special school I was the treasurer of the PTA. I was also a parent governor there and currently I'm a parent governor at his secondary special school.
When Walsall's Parent Partnership Service was heavily affected by budget cuts it became clear that parents needed far more support than the PPS was able to provide. I want to make a difference to the lives of children with SEN and disabilities therefore I was very keen to help set up Talking SENse! and become the chair.
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Mary Adamson
Position: Trustee
I am married to David and we have four children the oldest being 24, then 16, 12 and 10. Our youngest child is Paul who was diagnosed with high functioning autism in November 2011. He is currently attending mainstream school and we have just begun the journey of getting him a statement of special educational needs.
I currently work as an integration assistant in a mainstream primary school; supporting children with SEN.
I became a trustee for Talking SENse as it is of great importance to me.
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Jane Moore
Position: Treasurer
Our Treasurer, Jane, is married with four children and has a grandson with visual impairment.
Jane has a background with the voluntary sector, which started in 1993 when she became secretary for Walsall Deaf People's Centre. Later she joined a youth charity, which is where she perfected her accountancy skills. A retired nurse of many years, Jane now enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.
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Terrie Foster
Position: Trustee
Hi, I'm a very proud mom to two children; the eldest being 14 and the youngest 5. Thomas (my youngest) was born with hydrocephalus and suffered a stroke at birth resulting in hemiplegia and development delay. I am lucky enough to be a stay at home mom; I enjoy exercise and have completed my first half marathon for Birmingham Children's Hospital.
I have first-hand experience of the SEN system when applying for my son’s statement. It was not easy and I needed the specialist knowledge and expertise that Talking SENse! provides. Throughout the process I learnt a lot about the funding and red tape used and the barriers parents face.
I am passionate about Talking SENse! and all it represents and the help we provide to other parents who are in the position I once was. I'm proud to be part of a fantastic charity and look forward to seeing its progress in the future and the effect we have to other parents who otherwise face a daunting and upsetting challenge alone.
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