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The consultant team at Hesley collectively has over 100 years of experience of supporting autistic people and people with learning disabilities.
As in medicine, consultant-led care in psychology and allied health professions brings advanced, expert-level support directly to the people we support, ensuring they receive the highest standard of clinical expertise and leadership. Consultant clinical psychologists and allied health professionals (AHPs) offer specialised, evidence-based approaches to complex cases, drawing on years of experience and extensive training. Their role includes not only direct support to individuals but also mentorship, policy development, and innovation within their fields. By collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and driving service enhancements, consultants ensure more efficient, effective, and person-centred care. This approach not only raises the quality of services but also supports workforce development, promoting inter-professional respect and enhancing organisational outcomes.
Meet The Team
Anna Backhouse
Consultant Speech and Language Therapist, Director of Education and Therapeutic Services
Dr Zoe Bradshaw
Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Head of Applied Psychology
Erica Craig
Consultant Speech and Language Therapist, Head of Allied Health Professions
Dr Maciej Danilewicz
Consultant Psychiatrist & Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist
Positive behaviour support (PBS) is the framework we use for everything we do. It is values driven, evidence-based and practical.
Focusing on people’s rights provides the ethical compass which guides our approach to working with people. We understand that behaviours that challenge arise from an interaction between a person’s needs and the environment and strive to provide capable support environments which maximise learning. Holistic assessment enables high quality personalised support to achieve outcomes for people which are meaningful. PBS is a compassionate approach to supporting people to have a good quality of life and in doing so, minimises the risk of behaviours that challenge.
All of our services have access to a team of therapists and clinicians employed by Hesley Group, some of which are based within the services themselves.
The Applied Psychology Team is made up of Psychologists and Behaviour Therapists, with support from assistants. The team aims to understand the emotional, social and behavioural needs of a person to reduce any distress and promote positive wellbeing. They work with people and their staff teams to develop a PBS plan, which communicates their preferences, strengths and needs in relation to achieving the best quality of life possible. It summarises relevant information about the person, to support those around them to assist and promote wellbeing and reduce distress as required.
The Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Therapy Assistants get to know each person through doing activities together and completing formal and informal assessments with the person and their family and carers. They then agree what the person wants or needs to do to add meaning to their life.
Many OTs within the team have further training in Ayres Sensory Integration. They assess how people use or rely on their sensory processing skills and how their environments may impact on levels of calm or distress. They will then try out different approaches, helping the person to regulate their own reactions and sensitivities. This is to help them to engage in daily activities more easily and happily, and maybe try things they’ve never done before.
The Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Team aim to support each person’s speech, language and communication needs. We value all types of interaction and the SLTs and Therapy Assistants aim to reduce barriers to communication by promoting an inclusive communication approach. This can include using different types of communication such as:
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- Photographs and symbols
- Makaton Signing
- Using accessible information or social stories
- Objects of reference
- Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
- Electronic approaches (such as iPads)
They might also support staff in using Intensive Interaction, an approach which takes the skills of the person and builds on them in a relaxed, enjoyable way.
Speech and Language Therapists also have a role in making sure that everyone has safe and enjoyable mealtimes. Each person who lives in or attends a Hesley Group service has an assessment to see if they have any difficulties with eating and drinking (dysphagia). If someone needs extra support with their eating and drinking, the SLT puts guidelines in place to help them.
The Therapeutic Services Team within Hesley Group provides individual and group support for people, depending on what each person needs. They work closely with education and support teams, providing training, coaching, support and advice. Equipment ranging from communication resources, adapted cutlery and weighted blankets is also provided.
Some of our services also have access to a Consultant Psychiatrist who provides support to people that require this input.