​THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Management committee is made up of parents of children with additional needs and disabilities and having extensive local experience of accessing and using the services which the Birmingham Parent Carer Forum is helping to work with.

SABIHA AZIZ
Chair

My life took an unexpected turn when I became a full time carer at a young age. Since then I have spent 20 years caring and have accumulated vast knowledge and experience of SEND matters.

I have experience of education, social care and health from when I first got involved 20 years ago with my sibling, to my second journey down this road ten years ago with my own children.

I am very passionate about carers and am fully invested in raising the profile of caring, whether it be in a paid or unpaid capacity, caring for a loved one or doing it as a profession. I am an advocate for services and families working together to bring about positive, practical change.

I’m a Brummie born and bred, with a strong sense of social justice, and keen to make our city a flagship model of what great things can happen when we all work together!

LUCY CROWE
Committee Member

I am a proud Mum of two teenage boys, one with SEND.

I have lived in Birmingham for nearly 20 years and am passionate about supporting families with kids with additional needs and disabilities.
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I love and am passionate about supporting and empowering parent/carers and am really excited to be part of the Birmingham Parent Carer Forum.

PAM ARMSTRONG
Committee Member

I am currently a full time carer for my 2 daughters. My 18 year old daughter is diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome, ADHD, learning disabilities and mental health difficulties and has been diagnosed for 10 years. My 13 year old daughter is currently starting the pathway for ASD, ADHD and OCD. 

I have over 25 years experience of working in the care sector working with children and adults in different settings and with varying disabilities and conditions.

I wanted to be part of BCPF because I am passionate about children and families being able to access the correct services within a reasonable time frame and suitable for their needs.

I enjoy being part of a team and being able to help people. I am a good listener, have great communication skills and multitask all the time. I feel I am friendly and approachable and enjoy helping people and making a difference.

MICHELLE EMERY
​Treasurer

I am Mom to two teenage boys. I home schooled for 2 years whilst fighting the system to get the support my son needed. He is now thriving.

I volunteer for an animal charity, fundraising and fostering. I’ve been on many courses gaining knowledge of Mental Health, Autism, Child Behaviour, and more.  I’m also qualified in principles of customer service. 

Previously I worked as a Legal Secretary in Family Law dept and worked in Legal costings for 2 years.
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If I had to describe myself in three words I’d go with... caring, understanding & trustworthy.

CAROLYN BIRD
​Secretary

I am the mother of two children, the younger of whom has additional needs. 

I joined several parent support groups following my child’s diagnosis, to gain and share knowledge. I took a significant role in a parent action group, to tackle issues of illegal exclusion and Home-to-School transport.

My passion is that all children and young people with SEND have their needs met.
 

JO GREEN
Committee Member

I have a law degree and have always had an interest in human rights.  For the past 8 years in-between raising the children I have worked in Facilities Management in the corporate sector. I am reliable, systematic, compassionate, patient, empathetic, good communicator and strong attention to detail.

I am a parent carer of a young person aged 0 -25 with SEND (ASC, ADHD and dyslexia) living in Birmingham and have over 15+ years experience, navigating through the system, which has presented an array of challenges both pre, and post diagnosis.

I am committed towards making a positive difference and delivering better outcomes for children and young people with SEND across Birmingham and to ensure  services are shaped and delivered appropriately to meet individual needs in a person centred way.
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I am grateful for the opportunity and extremely excited to be part of the Birmingham Parent Carer Forum.