Speakers

Philippa’s professional background is in teaching and school inspection work. Working with the Council for Disabled Children, in 1992 she founded the Special Educational Consortium to champion entitlement for children with SEN in the Education Act 1993. Since then, she has led a growing policy consensus that has championed disabled children and young people and those with SEN in parliament and with national government. She has designed and created highly successful partnership projects developing inclusion with local authorities, parent carer groups, the voluntary sector, schools and early years settings. She has produced a wide range of guidance and materials explaining complex legislation in practical terms. She designed, developed and led a multi-level, DfE-funded Early Years SEN and Disability national partnership programme 2016-2022.

Philippa was seconded to the DfE as SEN and disability professional adviser from 2008-2010 and has continued to advise DfE on a wide range of policy areas including funding, assessment, disability discrimination and ‘ordinarily available provision’. She acted as the National Coordinator for England with the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education 2014-2022.

Philippa has nationally recognised expertise and, until her recent retirement, led the education work at the Council for Disabled Children (CDC), as Assistant Director, based at the National Children’s Bureau (NCB). She continues to work with CDC, NCB and with the DfE as an independent educational consultant.   

In 2022 she won the nasen Person of the year award and, in 2023, was awarded an OBE for services to disabled children.