Samantha Jane Cousins
Bishopstoke,Hampshire
Summary
Dedicated professional with extensive expertise in autism and learning disabilities, specializing in neurodiversity-affirming practices and addressing health inequalities. Strong knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act, Equality Act, and CQC expectations ensures compliance with relevant legislation. Skilled facilitator with a proven track record of delivering engaging training to diverse audiences, effectively explaining complex concepts. Committed to person-centered, rights-based practices, focusing on challenging harmful attitudes and integrating lived experience to enhance practice improvement.
Diligent trainer with expertise in organising and managing multiple training initiatives simultaneously. Strong executor with work planning and time management skills.
Experienced professional focused on Learning and Development, equipped with solid background in creating and delivering impactful training programmes. Drive employee growth and performance by leveraging strong communication and facilitation skills, along with keen understanding of adult learning principles. Consistently enhance organisational capability through innovative learning solutions and continuous improvement initiatives.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Assistant Learning and Development Officer
Hampshire County Council
Winchester, Hampshire
05.2017 - Current
- Assisted subject leads in researching, developing, and reviewing training aligned to care certificate standards to support completion within 12 weeks.
- Delivered training through face-to-face, virtual, and e-learning methods to enhance attendance and engagement.
- Designed training materials that cater to diverse learning styles.
- Collaborated with external providers to ensure training meets organisational requirements.
- Supported registered managers in maintaining compliance with CQC training regulations.
- Worked with learning and development teams to fulfil internal quality frameworks including session plans and presentations.
- Attended team meetings, organisational briefings, and meetings with registered managers.
- Participated in working groups such as the Provider Achieving Excellence Group to strengthen team effectiveness.
- Maintained continuous professional development and shared relevant learning.
- Adhered to local and national legislation, regulatory requirements, and organisational policies.
Training and Development Officer
Autism Hampshire – formally known as Hampshire Autistic Society
Whiteley, Hampshire
01.2008 - 01.2017
- To devise, deliver and assess in house training courses relevant to need.
- To devised, deliver and assess bespoke external training courses as needed.
- To advise team on teaching practice.
- To update and maintain all relevant databases and administration processes.
- To attend and have input into any relevant internal and external meetings.
- To assist Training and Development manager with any relevant processes and to take the lead role when Training and Development Manager is unavailable.
- To assist Training and Development officer with relevant processes.
- To create consultancy reports after visits to clients.
- To assess staff undertaking Qualification Credit Framework Diplomas
- To attend any relevant seminars or conferences and cascade information to others.
- Deliver and assess in-house, external, and bespoke training programmes, including QCF Diploma assessment. Provide guidance on teaching practice, produce consultancy reports, maintain training records, and support departmental leadership, deputising when required. Participate in meetings and cascade learning from conferences and seminars.
Person Centred Planning Co-ordinator
Hampshire Autistic Society
Whiteley, Hampshire
01.2005 - 01.2008
- To deliver Person Centred Planning training.
- To co-train in-house and external Makaton training courses.
- To support service users, students and circles of support to write and implement Person Centred Plans.
- To attend multi-agency meetings and conferences ensuring consistency across areas and champion Person Centred Planning and Approaches.
- To devise and implement tools to document evidence that Person Centred Planning is happening and to support people with issues such as communication and/or complaints.
- To attend any relevant training events.
- To write articles for the Society Newsletter, briefing document and Website when needed.
- Member of the Trainer's group – input to the development of the group and sharing good training practises with other trainers and helping to develop relevant supporting documentation such as evaluation sheets.
- Deliver Person-Centred Planning and co-facilitate Makaton training. Support individuals and networks to develop and implement Person-Centred Plans, contribute to multi-agency working, and promote person-centred approaches. Develop supporting tools, contribute written content, and share best practice within trainer networks.
Teaching Assistant
Hampshire Autistic Society
Whiteley, Hampshire
01.2002 - 01.2005
- Support Autistic students access education in a person centred way.
- To support students to access the national curriculum, if appropriate.
- To assist the teacher during lesson times when needed.
- To ensure resources are in place before the start of the school day.
Assistant Person Centred Planning Co-ordinator
West Hampshire PT
Totton, Southampton
01.2000 - 01.2002
- To develop and present training in various subjects including Person Centred Planning, Human Rights, Loss and Bereavement and ‘whistle blowing'.
- To attend Quality Steering group and subgroups and action outcomes.
- To support service users, staff members and circles of support to write and action plans.
- To support service users to plan for day to day living as well as future planning.
- To review plans and processes.
Education
O level equivalent - Maths, Office practice, Sociology, Typing, History, French, English, Commerce
The Toynbee School
Chandlers Ford, Hants 01.1978 - 01.1983
Skills
- Subject matter expertise in autism and learning disability, including neurodiversity-affirming practice, health inequalities, diagnostic overshadowing, and reasonable adjustments
- Strong knowledge of relevant legislation and frameworks, including the Mental Capacity Act, Equality Act, and CQC expectations
- Confident, inclusive facilitator able to deliver engaging training to mixed professional audiences and explain complex concepts clearly
- Skilled in interactive facilitation, reflective discussion, and managing challenge constructively
- Ability to integrate lived experience safely and professionally to support practice improvement
- Strong commitment to person-centred, rights-based, and values-driven practice, with confidence to challenge harmful attitudes or language
- Experience of co-produced working with lived-experience co-facilitators
- Highly reflective and self-aware, with emotional resilience and openness to feedback
- Professional, reliable, and well-organised, with strong preparation and time management
- Ongoing commitment to CPD, research-informed practice, and improving outcomes for autistic people and people with learning disabilities
Certification
- Oliver McGowen Tier 2 licenced trainer – OM-25-2876
- I hold a Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS)
- I hold a University Certificate (Ucert) in Autism (University of Birmingham).
- I have a NVQ 4 in Health and Social Care (Adults and children and young people) completing HSC412Ensure individuals and groups are supported appropriately when experiencing significant life events and transitions, HSC421 Promote employment, training and education opportunities for individuals, HSC429 Work with groups to promote individual growth, development and independence and HSC439 Contribute to the development of organisational policy and practice, as optional units.
- I hold an A1 assessors award.
- I am a qualified Makaton Regional Tutor.
- I hold certificates in mandatory subjects such as fire warden, manual handling, first aid, health and safety
Interests
Reading and walking, including completing the Playtex Moonwalk Marathon in 2005, raising £650 for Breast Cancer Research, and enjoying the opportunity to meet new people., Cookery, with a keen interest in trying new recipes and cuisines., Gardening and home improvement projects, undertaken with my husband., Regular babysitting for my three grandchildren, providing dependable childcare support., Caring for the family dog, ensuring daily exercise and wellbeing.
Timeline
Assistant Learning and Development Officer
Hampshire County Council
05.2017 - Current
Training and Development Officer
Autism Hampshire – formally known as Hampshire Autistic Society
01.2008 - 01.2017
Person Centred Planning Co-ordinator
Hampshire Autistic Society
01.2005 - 01.2008
Teaching Assistant
Hampshire Autistic Society
01.2002 - 01.2005
Assistant Person Centred Planning Co-ordinator
West Hampshire PT
01.2000 - 01.2002
O level equivalent - Maths, Office practice, Sociology, Typing, History, French, English, Commerce
The Toynbee School
01.1978 - 01.1983