Structure of the Dyslexia-SpLD Trust

The Trust Steering Group

The Trust is headed by the Steering Group, which oversees the operations of the Trust and determines the programmes and projects the Trust will pursue. The Steering Group is comprised of the founding members and key organisations that represent conditions that are typically labelled SpLD. The Steering Group is led by the appointed Chair.

Directors

The Trust has two Co-Directors:

Strategy - Dr John Rack

I have worked in the area of special education needs for over 25 years. I started out as a University researcher, then because a psychologist assessing a great many children and adults and providing advice to them. I then became involved in training and advising teachers. Now I am working with other organisations and with government in order to try and make improvements to the educational system. My range of experiences means that I can help bridge some of the gaps between research, practice and policy. I believe that I am a good communicator and someone who works well to come up with creative solutions to challenges.

My main goal is to contribute to a process that produces clear messages about what is needed by people with special educational needs and disabilities and how to create a society in which all can be fully included. Within this I have the goal or making sure that specific learning difficulties are better understood and that people who have specific learning difficulties are not overlooked just because they are seen as having less severe difficulties.

Operations - Mel Byrne

My background is in Health and Education. Originally qualifying and working as a nurse, I later became interested in Dyslexia/Specific Learning Difficulties and retrained as a Specialist Teacher/Assessor of students with SpLD. I have previously worked within the voluntary and community sector as an Outreach Co-ordinator, Regional Principal and bid writer before moving to The Dyslexia-SpLD Trust. I have experience across a range of operational areas providing direct support to individuals, organisational development, strategic planning and liaison with government.

My professional experience over the past 15 years working in the voluntary and community sector has enabled me to combine my knowldege and expertise in both fields and see the value of joined up thinking across the SEN arena. In these changing times, we must be focused on achieving our combined goals; the Dyslexia-SpLD Trust is committed to this.