Our staff

Sandra Whyte

Sandra is an experienced and professional child care practitioner. Sandra has worked in the social care field for over twenty years, initially in nursing homes. Then progressing to children’s homes. Sandra has worked in children’s homes for over fourteen years, at My Choice for nearly three years for the majority of this time as a registered care manager. Sandra has extensive experience working with children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties, young people at risk of CSE, radicalisation, young people who display harmful behaviours and issues around drugs and alcohol.

Sandra strongly believes that providing a safe, nurturing environment for young people to develop in is of the upmost importance. Sandra enjoys facilitating the staff to build better relationships with the young people and encourages and supports young people back into school or college.

Sandra has achieved her Level 3 and Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management. Sandra has also completed the Therapeutic Practitioners Award in July 2018.

Jennifer Durlston-Powell

Jen has a BA (Hons) QTS in English and Education which has enabled her to teach the entire age range from Early Learning Foundation Stage to Post16.

She has experience of senior leadership and management roles in a variety of education settings including in Special Educational Needs and Alternative Provision.

Laura Thornley

Laura has worked in children’s services for over ten years. Prior to joining My Choice she worked for two years at Shoreham Academy as a Primary Link and Alternative Provision Key Worker. She also has experience of working in other school environments working alongside vulnerable children and young people and those with behavioural and SEN needs.

Laura’s is the lead Diploma assessor at My Choice she is responsible for the learning and progression of the staff in regards to the Diploma level 3 children and Diploma 5 leadership and management award.

For five years, Laura worked at Aspire Sussex (formerly WSCC) ACL Tutor and Assessor Skills Centre.  She provided learning opportunities for adults and young people over the age of 16 years.  Her role encompassed to tutor and assess ACL for Level 2 and Level 3 child care qualifications, ensuring high standards of course delivery in the classroom environment, producing Schemes of Work and Session Plans in line with standards, using a range of assessment methods in accordance with criteria, supporting learners with their professional development, access and observe learner portfolios in line with standards and observe learners in the workplace and participate in standardisation meetings.

Laura works with all staff registered on the Diploma 3 and 5 qualifications. Laura has an excellent staff achievement rate and is based at the company’s Independent training centre. Our centre is registered with CACHE.

Laura’s qualifications include:

1. City & Guilds A1 Assessors Award
2. Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector PTLLS
3. Certificate to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector CTLLS
4. FdA in Childhood Studies
5. City & Guilds Level 3 Playwork