The Child Autism UK Trustees set the strategy for the charity but implementation of the strategy is the responsibility of the employed staff. The team is headed by the CEO, Suzy Yardley. The clinical services are led Claire Cotterill in the role of Clinical Manager. Sarah Martin is the Senior Case Manager with key responsibility for training new staff. Kirsty Hayhoe is Research Director and heads the outcome study. The Child Autism UK office is run by Office Manager, Lorraine Dench. Toni Marie Sherman is our grants and events fundraiser and Tessa Williams is our helpline officer.
Suzy Yardley
Suzy Yardley BSc, MSc, BCBA, is the CEO of Child Autism UK. Suzy Yardley has 25 years experience using ABA-based teaching for autism, and in the last 10 years has supervised programmes for more than a hundred children. Suzy joined the Charity in 2003. Suzy has a MSc in Behaviour Analysis and is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst. Suzy has been a board member of the UK-SBA for the past 6 years and is currently the chair.
Claire Cotterill
Claire Cotterill BA MSc BCBA is our Clinical Manager. She joined in 2004 after working freelance as an ABA supervisor. She has an MSc and holds the BCBA. She leads the clinical team and has special responsibility for clinical quality.
Kirsty Hayhoe
Kirsty Hayhoe BSc. MEd. DipHE. RNLD, GACT(ABA) BCBA and is research director. She joined in 1999 and has worked for more than 29 years as a clinician on ABA programmes. Kirsty leads on the outcome study and ensures the quality of Child Autism UK services.
Lorraine Dench
Lorraine Dench is the Office Manager and ensures all office procedures are followed efficiently and correctly. Lorraine trains new office staff and volunteers. Lorraine has been the first point of call on the telephone/helpline since 2002 when she first started working with the Organisation. This role is now handled by our Helpline Officer. Lorraine looks after the administration of the accounting procedures and continues to support the CEO, clinical staff and office staff.