The Sibling Group was founded by our CEO Grace. Grace who was born in Harrogate, North Yorkshire had two siblings an elder sister and younger brother Oscar. Oscar was diagnosed with severe learning disabilities and Autism at the age of 3. At this time like many others, Grace's family were unsure what this meant for their future. Grace and her elder sister struggled with the many challenges of having a sibling with SEN and felt isolated and misunderstood by the world around them. They felt lucky to have each other to talk to but wished they could have known others in similar positions as them, as they didn't want to burden their parents with their concerns and feelings surrounding their brother’s needs. Grace and her sister feel that siblings of SEN children are often overlooked or discredited as they are not the ones with the needs so therefore are expected to be fine. Often children take on the worries or concerns surrounding the welfare of their SEN sibling which can lead to their own mental health issues.
​
Grace went on to gain a first degree in Special Education and a distinction in her PGCE & qualified teaching status and worked as a SEN teacher in London. She is currently studying her masters in Autism and Inclusion. Whilst writing her dissertation she based it on the affect a child with special needs has on their sibling, to which she found herself interviewing her sister and revisiting their shared experience growing up with a sibling with special needs and the emotional effects this had on them. Reminding her of their lack of support.
​
These events inspired the creation of The Sibling Group Charity.
_JPG.jpg)
Joshua
Chair of trustees
Joshua is our chair of trustees. He is a qualified special needs teacher with previous experience chairing charities as well as being a chair of governors of a primary school. In addition Josh holds an undergraduate degree in special education and is currently perusing a master’s in autism and inclusion. Josh has a seat on the National Autistic society independent safeguarding board. Josh has experience of family members with complex Special Educational Needs. Josh is also studying for his Doctorate!
Luke
Trustee and Group leader
Luke is one of our trustees. He is a qualified primary school teacher and has worked in special schools and mainstream schools for an extensive period of time. Luke has experience as a play worker with special needs children and young people. Luke has a degree in special education. Luke helps to plan and lead our sibling groups and trips in the London borough of Havering.
_JPG.jpg)
Lauren
Trustee and Support Worker
Lauren is one of our trustees. She began working in early years in 2015, she gained her foundation degree in early childhood studies and is currently studying for her top-up degree to get her full BA (Hons) in early childhood. She has lots of experience in early years and primary, most recently being a teaching assistant and managed a wrap around care/holiday club scheme for a school in North Leeds before moving onto teaching education, social work and childhood psychology for access to higher education courses. Lauren helps to run and plan our sibling groups and trips in Harrogate.
Grace
CEO and Founder
Grace is the CEO and founder of The Sibling Group. Grace has a younger brother Oscar who has a diagnosis of autism, a severe learning disability, epilepsy and he is non-verbal. Grace decided to set up the charity as growing up there was no support for siblings. Grace is a qualified special needs teacher with extensive experience working with young autistic people with complex needs who are non-verbal. Grace has an undergrad degree in special education and is undertaking a masters degree in autism and inclusion.
Hannah
Office Manager and Support Worker
Hannah is our Office Manager and Support worker. Hannah is the eldest sister of Grace and Oscar, so has a lot of experience growing up with a sibling with a severe learning disability, autism and epilepsy. She is passionate about supporting siblings of children with additional needs and providing provisions for adults with additional needs to help create a world which is more accepting of them. Hannah works closely with the CEO and trustees to ensure we deliver a top tier service to all we support. She also manages the day to day running of the charity.