Valerie Reed

Valerie Reed is one of two part time Project Coordinators working in Luton to provide direct advocacy for looked after children and to additionally recruit, support and manage our Independent Visitors and Mentors who provide those services.

Valerie Reed started work in the voluntary sector in 1999 following the birth of her daughter who has disabilities in 1993.  Val worked for Mencap as a Face to Face Co-ordinator in Bedfordshire.  She was responsible for recruiting/training/supporting parents of disabled children to offer support around the time of diagnosis of a disability to parents of newly diagnosed children.

In 2002 Val moved to Scope and worked as a Fieldworker covering Oxfordshire.  This role involved individual casework with disabled children and adults and their families/carers.  She also supported local disability groups in the area.  Val later worked for Contact a Family as a Family Worker.  This post involved undertaking casework with disabled children aged 0 - 19 and their families/carers.

Val has additionally sat on the Priority Panel for Disabled Children as an Independent Observer; been a member of the Aiming High Program Board and the Aiming High Commissioning Panel; and been instrumental in setting up a Parent Forum - Oxfordshire Family Voices in line with Together for Disabled Children/Aiming High Parent Participation program.