Meet the Team

Hi, my name is Mrs Cross, and I am a Behaviour Support Practitioner at The Acorn Centre.

Supporting children to recognise their strengths and realise their full potential has always been at the heart of my work. My career in education began in a mainstream school, where I worked in a one-to-one support role with a child with additional needs. This experience gave me a valuable understanding of the importance of building trusting relationships, understanding individual needs, and creating the right conditions for children to succeed.

Joining The Acorn Centre has enabled me to extend this support to many more children across a wider platform. Working alongside schools, staff, and families, I am passionate about helping children feel seen, heard, understood, and valued. I believe that every child has something to be proud of and that, with the right support and environment, every child has the opportunity to thrive.

My practice is underpinned by a nurturing, child-centred approach that focuses on building confidence, resilience, and emotional wellbeing. I am committed to helping children recognise their own strengths, develop a positive sense of self, and overcome barriers that may impact their learning and development.

Becoming Thrive trained, as a licensed Thrive Practitioner, reinforced many of the approaches I was already using in my practice and strengthened my belief that behaviour is a form of communication. Through a relational and therapeutic approach, I support children in developing emotional awareness, understanding their experiences, and building the skills they need to feel successful both within and beyond the classroom.

The most rewarding aspect of my role is seeing children begin to believe in themselves. Watching a child grow in confidence, recognise their achievements, and realise their own potential, is what motivates me every day. My aim is always to provide a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment where every child feels empowered to flourish and achieve success in their own unique way.