Ronan Flynn is a Senior Occupational Therapist working with the National Council for Special Education. Ronan has a wealth of experience delivering an in-school therapy support service for primary, post-primary and special schools in Ireland.

Grace Monaghan

(BSc Psychology, HDip Early Years Education, MA Learning and Teaching)

Grace has been an Early Years’ Specialist with the Better Start Access and Inclusion Model since 2018. She is a Hanen tutor for educators and families, has trained as an Early Talk Boost tutor with Speech and Language Therapy UK and has lectured in Early Years’ Care and Education levels 5 and 6 with Colaiste Dhulaigh.

Grace has extensive experience supporting adults, children and young people with medical, complex and mental health needs. She has engaged in extensive training to support her professional roles, including Trauma Informed Practice and Mental Health First Aid.

Fiona Helbert is an Early Years Specialist with Better Start Aim for 8 years. Fiona has graduated with a MA in Mentoring, Management and Leadership in Early Years from Technological University Dublin and a BA in Early Childhood Studies and practice from National University of Galway (NUI Galway). Before becoming an Early Years Specialist, supporting the inclusion of children with additional needs, Fiona worked as a LINC tutor with Mary Immaculate College. Fiona has also managed community Early Years services for over 15 years.