Mary Hampton - Vice chair
I qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist in 1985 and have worked with children in a variety of educational settings including residential schools and language units. I became head of Paediatric Services for children in education and Professional Advisor for Speech and Language Therapy in Camberwell, London. I completed an MSc in 1995 and a dyslexia diploma in 1998. I joined ASLTIP and set up an independent practice around Sevenoaks in Kent just after completing my MSc, serving individual children and independent schools.
In 2002 I moved to Derbyshire and formed Language Therapy Ltd which now has three employees and focuses on providing therapy for local authorities and independent schools and colleges. I also provide clinical teaching sessions at Sheffield University. I have a special interest in children and young people with language disorders, autism and dyslexia.
Since joining ASLTIP I have coordinated and chaired a local ASLTIP group in Sevenoaks and have edited ITP. As the Editor, I was on the policy group for three years. For the last two years I have been the 6th member of the ASLTIP Executive Committee and have coordinated the building of the new website.
I am committed to working with children and young people as individuals and passionate about ensuring that the best models of practice are provided, whether that is individual therapy, the consultative approach, training or parent empowering. I am eager to promote the profile and professionalism of independent speech and language therapy.
I feel that ASLTIP needs to have a strong voice within RCSLT and that its profile needs to be high within HPC to ensure that the voice of the independent practitioner is heard clearly. ASLTIP's strength is in its highly experienced and diverse membership, and it is important to encourage positive debate and mutual support whilst acknowledging differences of opinion. ASTLTIP therefore needs forums for debate and mechanisms for consulting the membership about issues.
ASLTIP has been privileged to have had a series of extremely talented, competent and forward thinking members who have volunteered to serve on the Executive since its inception; it is my privilege to help to follow in their footsteps.