Karen Richardson

Since the early 1980’s I have been involved in activities for young people and adults with learning difficulties, disabilities and challenging behaviour. Initially I worked in large community homes and then in 1991 I joined West Kent College as a Welfare Officer. At the time the College was an early pioneer in offering further education learning opportunities for young adults with learning differences. My roles was to provide learning and pastoral support. Over the following years the cohort grew and opportunities generally developed for people with disabilities within the further education sector. My career path has remained working within this area. Currently, I am the Head of Additional Learning Support, leading on all aspects of SEND, at North Kent College and oversee the provision across all sites, Dartford, Gravesend, Tonbridge and Hadlow College. I have a keen interest in equality of opportunity, inclusion and meeting local community need.

From the mid 1990’s onwards I was asked to become an Action for Inclusion
facilitator with the FEFC and later LSC engaging with and leading project work to widen participation and opportunities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
This work led nicely on to the implementation of the Children and Families Act 2014 which I was actively involved in and went on to work with KCC to implement the Code of Practice. Over the last ten years I have been member of the Association of Colleges SEND special interest group, our role is to contribute to and hopefully inform policy and other decisions regarding education activities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

I have been a governor at Dorton College, specialist provision for blind and vision impaired students and a governor (nominated Safeguarding) at the Hadlow Rural community School.