Helen wears a number of different hats within the adoption and fostering world, giving her a unique insight into issues for parents, children and professionals.

• adoptive parent of a sibling group placed aged 2,4 and 5 who are now young adults
• personal experience of living with 'the child who hurts'
• member of Governments (DoH/DfES) Adoption and Permanence Task Force (2000-2004)
• gradute of  two year “Adoption and Attachment  Course” run by Family Futures and Greenwich University www.familyfutures.co.uk
• former member of two local authority Adoption Panels (5 & 3 years) 
• Trustee of the charity Adoption UK since May 2005, after a decade of different voluntary roles www.adoptionuk.org
• conference speaker, trainer and lobbyist
• author of Wish List (330.12 kB) in Models of Adoption Support, published by BAAF 2003
• regular columnist for 'Adoption Today' magazine since 2006 - link to articles

Having all these different perspectives enhances her knowledge and understanding of the impact of early trauma on children. She takes a very holistic view.