Meet the Team
Kerrie Highcock - Family Development Manager
You can contact Kerrie on 0191 410 9974 or email kerrie.highcock@ne-as.org.uk
Kerrie is our resident Family Development Manager. Having worked in the field for 18 years and just recently gaining her Masters of Education, in Autism, from the University of Strathclyde, and is currently working on her Doctorate. She is passionate about elevating the voices of and learning from autistic people. Kerrie is also our Autism and Neurodiversity Think Tank lead.
Before her 12 years (so far) with NEAS, she worked in schools and nurseries with specialist autism provision. She gained her BA (hons) in Special Educational Needs and has put her vast experience to good use developing post-diagnostic models of support across the region introducing parent and toddler groups, family workshops and youth activists groups.
“I’m most proud of the art exhibition that came from our youth group – the Autism Activists. What started as facilitating a safe space for autistic teenagers, turned into the most incredible group who produced eye-opening protest art. It influenced me so much I focused my dissertation on the need to give autistic young people a platform to express themselves and have opportunity to be heard.”
Becca Weatherstone - Senior Family Worker
You can contact Becca on 0191 410 9974 or email rebecca.weatherstone@ne-as.org.uk
Becca is a key member of our Family Development team. Having worked as a manager in a in private day nursery for more than six years, as well as being the SENCO for that organisation, she was the perfect addition to this growing team.
Facilitating toddler groups, organising youth support, leading parent groups and family workshops are just some of the duties she has undertaken over the last two years. If you make an enquiry at NEAS there’s also a good chance that Becca will be the one to take your call.
When asked what her highlights of the job have been so far, she said:
“I think the moments I love the most are seeing the children graduate from toddler groups, then helping to support them into nursery and school. It makes everything we do worthwhile.”
Hannah Lee - Family Worker
You can contact Hannah on 0191 410 9974 or email Hannah@ne-as.org.uk
Hannah has been a member of our Family Development team for two years. Having gained work experience in a nursery, and then working in schools as both a Teacher and a TA, most recently as a 1:1 Support Assistant for an autistic child, Hannah’s experience has been invaluable to her work at NEAS.
When asked about her favourite aspect of her job, Hannah said:
“I enjoy supporting families and children in our toddler groups as well as facilitating the parent workshops every week.”
Hannah’s working hours are:
Monday – Wednesday, 8:30am – 4:30pm.
Lauren Abbott - Family Worker
You can contact Lauren on 0191 410 9974 or email Lauren.abbott@ne-as.org.uk
Lauren is the newest member to the Family Development team, starting earlier in the year. Having previously supported autistic children and young people through youth work and educational provisions since she graduated from the University of Sunderland with a degree in childhood studies, her firsthand experience makes her an asset to the team.
Lauren spent the last five years in a primary school ARP supporting autistic children with their social, emotional, mental health and educational needs in small classes and on a 1-1 basis. She also worked as a special educational needs outreach carer across a period of three years supporting autistic children in the community.
When asked what her highlights of job have been so far, she said:
“I enjoy supporting families during our workshops. I feel I can offer a person-centred approach in supporting their needs while offering support and strategies around sensory, communication, social, and emotional well-being.”
Get in touch, contact the team on: 0191 410 9974
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