Meet The Team
Alex
Dr Alexandra Livesey
(BSc, DClinPsy, HCPC registered)
Alex is an experienced clinical psychologist and specialises in the assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders. She is the clinical lead for neuropsychological assessment within the NHS National FASD Clinic (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders). For over 15 years, Alex has worked in a variety of NHS settings, but predominantly with children and adults with Intellectual Impairments and complex needs.
As a highly experienced clinical psychologist, but also the mum of two boys, Alex understands and has experienced herself the frustration of knowing there is something a little different about your child; wanting to understand this more in order to support them the best that you can; and yet finding it impossible to get your child the right assessment through the NHS or educational services. She is a passionate and advocate for the NHS. Alex believe's that we have an extraordinary educational and social care system, better than in many parts of the world. But, she is also a pragmatist and a parent, and it is her opinion that there are situations where parents may need to seek support outside the public sector. It is for this reason she set up UP.
Louise
Louise Fox
(BSc, MRCSLT, HPC registered)
Louise is a specialised speech and language therapist with over 18 years experience of working with people with complex neurodevelopmental profiles.
Within the NHS she is a speech and language therapist within the only national Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) service, having worked alongside Dr Alexandra Livesey, the director of UP, for the past six years. She also works supporting students with additional needs in a further education setting. She is driven to help identify potentially undiagnosed language disorders in people with complex neurodevelopmental profiles and help them develop strategies to function in a world that favours the neurotypical population.
Kirstie
Kirstie Livesey-Bland
(BSc, PGCE (M), NASENCO
Kirstie is a highly experienced primary school teacher with over 15 years of working in mainstream primary schools, as a classroom teacher and part of the senior leadership team as well as a SENCO. Kirstie is studying with Dyslexia Action to become a certified Specialist Dyslexia Teacher and Assessor.
She works closely with Educational Psychologists and Specialist Teachers in her teaching role. She has a background in psychology and is passionate about supporting all children to meet their potential.
Bhrinda
Bhrinda De Silva
(BA, Post Grad Cert, STALIS, Level 5 Specialist Teacher)
Bhrinda is a highly experience teaching assistant with over 10 years experience working in mainstream primary schools. She has recently qualified with the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity to become a Specialist Teacher, to teach learners with Dyslexia and other SpLDs.
Before working in schools, Bhrinda worked in the learning space designing, developing and delivering training interventions in the financial sector.