About us
My name is Grant Wetherall and I qualified as a social worker in 1995 from Brunel University, I have worked as a social worker, manager and consultant for the National Health Service, voluntary and private sectors. Currently I manage a children’s disability team in the UK. I also write articles about communication systems and social work issues for a number of publications.
Click here to go to publications (Adult Protection Website - Link opens in a new window)
I began training in Makaton in 1995 as a means of acquiring skills that would complement my social work. I could see immediately that because the language is so easy to grasp it could quickly and effectively enhance a person’s ability to communicate with learning disabled people.
I fully qualified as a regional tutor 1996 and in the same year set up SignSimply. Out of all the many communication systems that currently exist; I believe that Makaton is probably the most accessible form of communication for people with special needs and the people who interact with them.
Qualifications
1. Proven record of developing / facilitating training in Makaton.
- I qualified as a Regional Tutor for Makaton in 1996.
- I also translate documents into symbol form for disabled people and those who cannot read English as a first language.
2. Proven experience in training practices
I completed the Training for Trainers course in 2003 and have used this to set up training sessions using signs and symbols, for the teaching of communication, language and literacy skills for people with communication and learning difficulties.
The areas that I cover on the courses are:
- Analyzing training needs
- Setting objectives and planning programmes
- Reviewing training, learning styles of individuals
- The range and uses of training resources
- Training skills development
3. Proven record of an Equal Opportunities Policy integrated approach to training and career development
The Makaton Charity has an Equal Opportunities Policy (copy sent on request), which its trainers are required to adhere to.
