Meet our team

Kirstie Brannigan

Children's Services Manager, DECC & AFCTS

Hi, I'm Kirstie Brannigan, Children's Services Manager for The DECC and Action for Children Therapeutic Services. I have over 18 years of experience supporting children, young people, and families across a wide range of services and settings. I am particularly passionate about improving children's mental health and emotional wellbeing, and for the past 10 years I have led and managed services dedicated to helping children, young people, and families access the support they need to thrive.

Kathryn Barker

Practice Manager, DECC & AFCTS
Qualified and Registered Social Worker

Hi, I’m Kathryn and I’m a Therapeutic Practice Manager at The DECC and Action for Children Therapeutic Services. My background is as a social worker, specialising in therapeutically working with children and adults across a wide range of contexts.

Samantha McAuley-Hall

Practice Manager, DECC & AFCTS
Qualified and Registered Social Worker

Hi, I'm Sam. I am a Therapeutic Practice Manager for The DECC and I lead the HSB Specialist Service within Action for Children Therapeutic Services. I bring 14 years of post-qualification experience across child protection, duty, children in care, and therapeutic services. I have held managerial roles for over 6 years and have a strong professional interest in HSB, Child Sexual Exploitation, and Sexual Abuse.

Casey Bingham

Practice Manager & Lead Therapeutic Practitioner, DECC & AFCTS
Qualified and Registered Social Worker

Hi, I'm Casey. My background is as a Social Worker, qualifying in 2012. I worked in different children and families statutory social work teams for 6 years before moving into therapeutic social work in 2018. I love the variety of my role, from getting to know children and families really well over a long period of time to meeting people briefly whilst leading training or offering one-off consultations and trying to have a big impact in a short space of time.

Helena Houghton

Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead, DECC & AFCTS
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, HCPC Registered

Hi, I’m Helena. I’m a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and the Clinical Lead for The DECC and Action for Children Therapeutic Services. Before moving to this role, I worked in the NHS for 24 years, leading a specialist trauma and attachment service for children in care.

Jenny Taylor

Principal Clinical Psychologist, DECC & AFCTS
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

Hi, I'm Jenny. I am a clinical psychologist and have been in my current role for over ten years. I feel extremely fortunate to work with so many wonderful young people and the dedicated people around them. Prior to my current role, I worked in a CAMHS team in Sheffield. I have additional training in EMDR, DDP and Theraplay.

Tracey Grant Lee

Clinical Psychologist, DECC & AFCTS
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

Hi, my name is Tracey and I am a clinical psychologist registered with the HCPC. I’ve been working with the DECC since 2021. I have over 15 years’ post-qualification experience, supporting the mental health of children and families with diverse needs including neurodivergence, learning disability and developmental trauma through providing therapy, parent/ carer support and delivering training, consultation and supervision to other professionals.

Abi Hutchinson

Psychotherapist & Clinical Supervisor, DECC & AFCTS
Psychotherapist, MBACP Registered

Hi, I'm Abi, I am a humanistic psychotherapist, with an interest in intergenerational trauma and post traumatic growth. I have experience working with addiction, trauma, mental health, offending and physical health complaints.

Beth Stevenson

Lead Therapeutic Practitioner, DECC & AFCTS
Play Therapist & Filial Play Coach, PTUK Registered

Hi, I'm Beth! I've worked at The DECC for over 3 years, using my knowledge and practice as an integrative Play Therapist.

After working as a Primary School Teacher, I realised my passion was supporting children to explore and understand their thoughts, and make sense of their emotions. Since training as a Play Therapist, I have further recognised the importance of supporting families and the significant adults in children's lives.

Davinia Bailach-Cabrerizo

Lead Therapeutic Practitioner, DECC & AFCTS
Music Therapist, HCPC Registered

Hi, I’m Davinia and I’m a creative arts therapist. My experience spans working with trauma and developmental trauma as well as neurodiversity, supporting ASD diagnosis and assessments. I have also worked in an SEN school in the past.

Georgina Rolfe

Lead Therapeutic Practitioner, DECC & AFCTS
Environmental Arts Therapist & Drama Therapist, HCPC Registered

Hi, I'm Georgina, I’ve worked as a creative arts therapist in local charities for over 10 years, specialising in developmental trauma, neurodiversity and supporting carers.

I’m an integrative therapist, utilising all art forms to ensure a child centred approach and am a registered Drama Therapist, with additional training in DDP and Theraplay.

Leanne Clayton

Lead Therapeutic Practitioner, DECC & AFCTS
Pluralistic Psychotherapist, HCPC Registered

Hi, I'm Leanne and I am a developing pluralistic psychotherapist and qualified hypnotherapist.

The basis of how I like to work is more relational, with the therapeutic relationship the main priority with those that I get to be with. I have worked with young people in different settings for the best of 10+ years.

Maria Kelk

Lead Therapeutic Practitioner, DECC & AFCTS
Qualified & Registered Social Worker

Hi, my name is Maria, I am a Therapeutic Social Worker & have worked at the DECC since 2020. Previously I worked for 10+ years as a social worker in children & family’s teams. Later I completed a Diploma in Systemic Theory and Practice & worked for 10+ years at the Sexual Abuse Unit which became The Keep an attachment & trauma service for children in care.

Natalie Shaw

Lead Therapeutic Practitioner, DECC & AFCTS
Qualified & Registered Social Worker

Hi, I'm Natalie, I have 17 years of experience in Social Care and I am a qualified social worker, and I am trained in DDP Level 2, and Level 1 Theraplay.

I previously worker in family intervention, supporting families with social worker involvement. Before moving on to reunifying young people with their families or transitioning them from residential to foster care for the past 7 years.

Rachael Mcilwrick

Lead Therapeutic Practitioner, DECC & AFCTS
Play Therapist & Systemic Family Practitioner, BAPT Registered

Hi, I'm Rachael! I've loved working at The DECC for over 4 years, being a part of this supportive and skilled team.

I am a registered Non-directive Play Therapist and Systemic Family Practitioner, with a degree in Creative/Expressive Arts Therapy. I’ve also trained in Filial Therapy, DDP, Theraplay, Compassion-Focused Therapy, and trauma approaches.

Sam Setchell-Hynes

Lead Therapeutic Practitioner, DECC & AFCTS
Integrative Psychotherapist, MCACP Registered

Hi, I’m Sam, an Integrative Psychotherapist trained in integrating CBT, Attachment Theory, and a Person-Centred approach to psychological intervention. I also have further training in DDP, Compassion-Focused Therapy, Gestalt, and creative interventions. Beyond clinical modalities, I am passionate about empowering young people to build on their sense of self and worth as they navigate the world and their relationships, it’s a privilege to be part of their journey.

Tracey Ashton

Senior Business Support Officer, DECC & AFCTS

Hi, I am Tracey. I have done many jobs over my career but all involving admin, customer service and finance. For the past 10 years I have worked with homeless and vulnerable adults and prior to that I spent 7 years working in schools. Before joining AfC, my role was as Operations Manager for a community based charity in Aldershot. I am excited to learn about how the most vulnerable children in our society are supported.

Jo Bradley

Senior Business Support Officer, DECC & AFCTS

Hi, I'm Jo and I have worked for AfC for over 10 years now and started off as an admin worker for a service with children with disabilities.

Over the years I have gained experience in several services ranging from advocacy, children’s rights, prisons, children’s centres and mental health.

Colette Wells

Evaluation Officer, DECC & AFCTS

Hi, I'm Colette. My current role as Evaluation Officer, involves predominantly working in a data role, collating monthly/quarterly referral/appointment data and producing reports. I have worked in an office environment since leaving school, I started out in manufacturing, before joining the NHS in 2014 and transferring to AfC in 2020.

Jack Lau

Administrative Officer, DECC & AFCTS

Hi, I'm Jack. I am from Hong Kong and I have over seven years of experience working in administrative roles. I moved to the UK in 2022, and this is my first role supporting work with children. I currently provide administrative and website development support to the DECC and the HSB Specialist Service within Action for Children Therapeutic Services.

Sarah Brochocki

Business Support Officer, DECC & AFCTS

Hi, I'm Sarah and I'm a Business Support Officer at The DECC, where I have worked for 4 years. I process the referrals and consultation requests for The DECC.

I have worked in an administrative role for over 30 years, with the past 8 years working in a HR environment.  My qualifications include, Business Administration Level 2 and Level 3, plus the CIPD Level 3 certificate in HR Practice.

Sophie Chadwick

Business Support Officer, DECC & AFCTS

Hi, I'm Sophie and I have been working at The DECC for over 3 and a half years. At The DECC I support with the organisation of our external training, Attachment Group, Space 4 U, as well as doing other daily admin tasks.

I come from an Early Years background working for over 9 years with a variety of different ages groups within day nurseries. Over those years I completed my Level 2 and 3 qualifications in Young People’s Workforce, alongside these qualifications I completed Level 2 in Business and Administration.