A celebration of people and organisations who have helped SEND families in 2024
Our annual PaCC Awards celebrate and recognise the people and organisations who went that extra mile to be there for you. Huge thanks to all who sent in nominations – as ever the shortlisting panel had a difficult job choosing the winners!
The award ceremony took place on Tuesday 11th March 2025, celebrating the work of individuals and groups who helped your family in 2024. We came together at the Conference Room in Community Base and the awards were presented to the winners by PaCC Steering Group Member (and Chair of Amaze Trustees), Diana Boyd.
Thank you to everyone who attended our event and congratulations to all the deserving winners who were recognised for their contribution to the SEND community.
Read the list of the 2024 PaCC Awards winners and why they were nominated:
PaCC Award for Excellence in the Education Sector 2024, presented to:
The Neuroaffirmative Creative Therapies Group Team
The Neuroaffirmative Creative Therapies Group Team, Schools Mental Health Service, Brighton and Hove “The Team saw my daughter in a way no one else outside of the immediate family has. They met my daughter where she is with such compassion and patience that enabled my daughter to feel safe enough to unmask outside of the home and closest friends for the first time. They also embraced the parent as the expert in a way that is rare whilst trying to navigate getting the right support for my autistic daughter.” “The Team has provided such insights into my son’s neurodivergence and treated him with respect, kindness and unlimited positivity. They are also providing help to us as a family to understand more about our son and how we can support him.”
PaCC Award for Excellence in the Education Sector 2024 presented to:
Robert Brand
Robert Brand, Year 7 Tutor at Dorothy Stringer School, Brighton and Hove “Mr Brand has been instrumental in how well my son has settled into secondary school. He has dealt with issues promptly, including bullying incidents and helping to locate lost kit and communicated with us straight away. My son trusts Mr Brand because of this, which has enabled him to have a fantastic transition into secondary school.”
PaCC Award for Excellence in the Social Care Sector 2024 presented to:
Samantha Moore receives an award from Diana Boyd
Samantha Moore, Behaviour Support Officer at Drove Road Respite, Brighton and Hove “My son started going to Drove Road respite in May 2024 and because of Sam’s hard work and experience and kindness my son’s transition went smoothly. He felt happy and safe at Drove Road and as a result he is always excited to go there. Sam has really supported my son in a caring creative way that has had a positive impact for my son and the rest of the family. She’s created story boards to support my son’s understanding and his behaviour.”
PaCC Award for Excellence in the Social Care Sector 2024 presented to:
The Team at Tudor House
The Team at Tudor House, Respite Care provider, Brighton and Hove “The Team has consistently been there for my son and supported me through hospital appointments, my own emergencies and have helped my son to thrive and learn what it will mean for him to be independent one day. They are co-parents and friends.” “My granddaughter moved in Tudor House and due to a series of events remained there part-time and then full-time. She was very happy there and the Team supported her with many issues she was experiencing. They have been a great source of ongoing help, and we have continued to visit. The staff there are amazing, patient and very knowledgeable and supportive to the children and their families.”
Monica Battaglia
PaCC Award for Excellence in the Social Care Sector 2024 presented to:
Monica Battaglia, Specialist Community Disability Service POD2 (14-24), Brighton and Hove “Monica was assigned to my son to find a post 19 placement within a fairly short time as his residential home couldn’t accommodate him after his 20th Birthday. She contacted me about a small residential home in Saltdean and I was supported by my son’s current care team to visit, and I literally could not believe how perfect this lovely supportive environment was for my boy. Monica worked very hard with Hill House residential school and clearly understood how this next phase in his life would need to look like taking in consideration both my son’s and my mental health.”
PaCC Award for Excellence in the Charity and Voluntary Sector 2024 presented to:
Diana Boyd hands the award to Sally Cristin
Sally Cristin, SENDIASS Children and Young People worker, Brighton and Hove “Sally has offered a great deal of support in person, via email and over the phone to help with next steps in Post 16 Education. The lack of support from Brighton and Hove City Council has been eased to some extent by Sally’s knowledge and expertise and her calm manner which have been a lifeline.”
Daisy Taylor Banks
PaCC Award for Excellence in the Charity and Voluntary Sector 2024 presented to:
Daisy Taylor Banks, Synergy Dance SEND Instructor, Brighton and Hove “Daisy ‘s thoughtfulness and responsiveness in planning and delivering each class create an inclusive environment where every child has the opportunity to thrive. Under her guidance, our child has made exceptional progress with his motor skills, and a love of musical theatre has blossomed. Through the games, music, and cultural reference points she incorporates, his horizons have broadened in ways we couldn’t have imagined. Her unwavering dedication makes a profound difference not only in the lives of our children but also for us as parents, as we feel heard, supported, and valued.”
PaCC Award for Excellence in the Charity and Voluntary Sector 2024 presented to:
The Amazing Futures Team
The Amazing Futures Team, Amaze, Brighton and Hove “My daughter started attending the holiday club. She now attends clubs twice a week. They have allowed her to find a comfortable and safe place where she is able to be herself. The club leaders have been encouraging and supportive and understand my daughter’s needs. It has given me time the peace of mind that she is safe in their care and allows me time for me, a real rarity. I don’t want to imagine the clubs and support for my daughter not being available. Her world would be much smaller without them.”
Al Start
PaCC Award for Excellence in the Charity and Voluntary Sector 2024 presented to:
Al Start, Creative Director Go Kid Music, Brighton and Hove “Al is incredibly inclusive to families with special needs, she uses sign language in her educational and fun music videos/songs and offers discount for families with a Compass Card. Al has brought so much joy to our son’s life who is autistic, both at school and outside of school, through her music and kindness. Our son loves Al and her music, recently he joined Al on stage at one of her gigs aimed at children and families; watching him sing with her brought out so much joy and confidence it really was a wonderful moment.”
PaCC Award for Excellence in the Charity and Voluntary Sector 2024 presented to:
Diana Boyd presents to Charley Marshall
Charley Marshall, Volunteer Befriender, Amaze Parent Groups and Befriending Service, Brighton and Hove “Since working with them they have helped me no end; if it wasn’t for a befriender, I would have no idea which way to turn. Charley is such a lovely person to talk too.”
Allan Wenham for Jess Whitington
Posthumous Special PaCC Award 2024 in Honour of:
Jess Whitington, Tutor of Pet & Animal Care, Develop Outdoors, “My son crashed – literally – out of Varndean School after support he had finally been granted in line with his EHCP in the summer term of 2023 was withdrawn in the Autumn term of 2023. In an emergency Annual Review, Develop Outdoors was chosen as a replacement education setting. My son had completely withdrawn from life from his experience in the school thinking it was his fault, and I pleaded with the SEN team to fast track him into Develop Outdoors. Jess accepted our son into her group early, working with small pets and animals. Our son has gone from strength to strength with Develop Outdoors who are inclusive. Jess was compassionate, empathetic, positive about every child she engaged with, and a stalwart proponent of a vision every child can succeed.”
Special Recognition Award on behalf of the PaCC Steering Group 2024 presented to:
Marie-Anne Currion for Linsey McGill
Linsey McGill, recently retired Service Lead, Schools Mental Health Service, Brighton and Hove City Council “Linsey has worked as a secondary school SENCO and most recently led the development and improvement of the mental health services which are delivered through schools across Brighton and Hove. Linsey is a champion for ensuring that everyone has equal access to support, and not just for children. She is a brilliant advocate for the importance of ensuring that teachers, school staff, parents and carers are also given the proper support that they need. She cares deeply for the young people, schools and families she served. Without people at her level advocating and fighting for our young people, they wouldn’t have access to the good quality support services they need.”