Who We Are

‘Learning for Life’ lives in the heart and DNA of Disability Matters.

Our founders include a former deputy headteacher, an experienced SEN teacher specialist in communication and behavioural design, and a programme leader with experience across state and private schools as well as outdoor SEN settings.

Our Care Givers

Every single one of our support workers has been recruited from a Special Educational Needs or Special Needs play and respite background. They bring with them a wealth of knowledge, passion and experience to our families and young people who have entrusted us with their care.

Our Leadership

Daniel Licudi

Managing Director

Daniel has dedicated his entire career to the service of children, young people and adults with SEN. He has worked at every level that now exists at Disability Matters from play and support worker to youth leader and youth club centre manager.

His experience takes in the roles of charity project manager and community and family liaison to high level teaching assistant, learning mentor and SEN teacher with a specialism and focus on autism, communication, and challenging behaviours.

Drawing on his many years of knowledge and experience, Daniel and his fellow directors have developed Disability Matters from the ground up, ensuring steady growth with a family-focused centred approach.

Tam Tran

Life Skills Director

With over 25 years’ experience, Tam has worked across a wide variety of educational establishments, from mainstream inner-city schools to rural settings in both New Zealand and the UK. He has channelled his extensive experience into special needs education and works one to one with children to provide opportunities to grow.

As Life Skills Director, Tam’s focus is establishing positive communication, instilling important life skills and focusing on independence. He works to develop strong relationships on a personal level with the young people and families and truly having an empathy for others.

Richard Barnett

Finance Director

Alongside a background in the financial services industry, Richard has worked with children and young people for over 7 years across multiple settings, including outdoor activity centres, SEN schools and independent schools.

Richard considers himself fortunate enough to have had first-hand experiences with young people as they break their barriers and achieve things they didn’t think they could.

He considers it the greatest privilege to share in their joy and success as they achieve their goals and exceed their own expectations.