OxPCF Team
Listening. Connecting. Influencing
We’re the faces behind OxPCF – a team of parent carers who understand the joys, challenges and realities of raising children and young people with SEND because we’ve lived them too. Behind every email, event, newsletter and conversation is someone who’s passionate about making sure parent carers’ voices are heard and help shape better services across Oxfordshire.
Meet The Team
Jules Francis-Sinclair
Chair
Like many parent carers, Jules never imagined she’d become an expert in acronyms, paperwork and navigating the maze that is the SEND system—but here we are! As Chair of OxPCF, she’s passionate about making sure parent carers are listened to and that services are shaped by lived experience. When she’s not championing SEND, she’s usually conducting Oxford Gospel Choir, singing in one of her bands, or out walking her dog Buddy. Music is her happy place and an important part of how she looks after herself.
Nikita Orme
Forum Manager
Nikita knows that life can change in an instant. After her eldest daughter sustained an acquired brain injury as a toddler, she found herself navigating the world of health, education and SEND. Today, as Forum Manager, she’s passionate about helping other families feel informed, connected and heard. Away from OxPCF, she loves spending time outdoors with her family and her dog Woody and making the most of every adventure.
Sophia Johnson
Feedback and Reporting Coordinator
Sophia is one of those people who loves finding creative solutions to problems. As Feedback & Reporting Co-ordinator, she helps turn parent carers’ experiences into evidence that influences local SEND services. As a mum of two children with SEND, she understands the importance of making every voice count. Away from OxPCF, she’s always creating something new—whether that’s building resonance boards, performing improvised theatre, or turning her hand to her latest creative project.
Sara Rattigan
Communications and Marketing Lead
If you’ve spotted an OxPCF post, newsletter or event graphic, there’s a good chance Sara created it! As Marketing & Communications Lead, she believes good communication can make a difficult day just a little bit easier. Inspired by her own family’s SEND journey, she creates clear, friendly and accessible communications that help parent carers feel informed, connected and less alone. As a parent of a child with ADHD and autism, she understands just how valuable the right information can be at the right time.
Liz Knight
Grants and Funding Coordinaor
Liz is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help OxPCF grow. As Grants & Funding Co-ordinator, she researches funding and develops bids that help turn ideas into reality—whether that’s launching new projects, running events or reaching more parent carers. As a parent carer herself, she’s passionate about creating opportunities that make a real difference for families across Oxfordshire.
Usma Farman
Community Coordinator
You’ll often find Usma out and about across Oxfordshire! As Community Co-ordinator, she builds relationships with schools, support groups and community organisations, helping more families discover OxPCF and connect with local support. She also supports our SEND Connect events, creating welcoming spaces where parent carers can meet others who understand the SEND journey. Along the way, she listens to families’ experiences and gathers feedback that helps shape our Themes Tracker, ensuring parent carers’ voices are shared with the Local Area Partnership to influence positive change.
Nicola Palfreyman
SEND Connect Coordinator
With four children, including twins with autism and ADHD, Nicola knows that no two days are ever the same! Drawing on her own experiences of ADHD and dyslexia, she understands the challenges families can face and the importance of feeling supported. As SEND Connect Co-ordinator, she’s passionate about helping parent carers build confidence, find their voice and connect with others who truly understand the journey.
Jos Smith
VCS Lead
Collaboration is at the heart of everything Jos does. As Chair of Down Syndrome Oxfordshire, she represents the charity within OxPCF, helping to build strong relationships across the voluntary and community sector. She enjoys thinking strategically and is passionate about improving support for families across Oxfordshire.
Could this be you?
Could this be you? We'd love to hear from you?
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Even a small amount of your time could make a big difference. Get in touch to see how you can get involved —we'd love to have
OxPCF Parent Representaties
Our Parent Representatives are the heart of OxPCF. They are parent carers from across Oxfordshire who volunteer their time to share lived experience, gather feedback from families and represent parent carers in meetings, working groups and strategic discussions. Some of our team members also volunteer as Parent Representatives alongside their specialist roles, helping to ensure families’ voices are heard at every level.
Ana Bonasera
Kate Squires
Juliet Semple
Could you be our next Parent Representative – or support us behind the scenes?
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We’re always looking for passionate volunteers to join the OxPCF team. Some of our volunteers represent parent carers in meetings and working groups, while others help behind the scenes with projects, events, communications, fundraising, administration and other specialist skills.
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Whether you have lots of time or just a little, there’s a role for everyone. If you’d like to use your lived experience, skills or interests to help make a difference for families across Oxfordshire, we’d love to hear from you.
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Visit our Volunteer With Us page to find out more about the different ways you can get involved.