Vanessa Jessop
Highly Specialist Speech
and Language Therapist
I studied Speech Sciences (BSc) at University College London UK, graduating as an internationally qualified Speech and Language Therapist in 2003. I am a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists UK (RCSLT) and the Health Care Professions Council UK (HCPC).
I began work as a qualified Speech and Language Therapist in a London based private Special Education Needs School called Blossom House. Here I also took on the role of Form and Physical Education teacher. During my time at Blossom House, I developed a specific interest in behaviour management and Autism
I arrived in Hong Kong in 2006. I held the combined role of Programme Director and Speech and Language Therapist at the Nesbitt Centre, a post 18 centre for adults with Intellectual Disabilities. During my time at The Nesbitt Centre, I was passionate about the holistic learning journey of my students and to this end, added Houseparent for the residential programme to my existing roles in 2008.
I completed a Master of Science degree in Applied Psychology of Intellectual Disabilities at the University of Portsmouth, completing the degree in September 2009 with a qualitative research project entitled “Parenting a young adult with Autism: a Hong Kong experience”.I secured the role as the first English Schools Foundation (ESF) Therapy Centre Speech and Language Therapist in 2010.
During my work at ESF, I developed my ability to embed therapy within an educational setting; I facilitated access to the curriculum and secured successful and happy learning journeys for my clients. I successfully transitioned into private practice in 2014 as Director of Chatterbox Speech and Language Therapy Limited; offering consultation,
assessment, therapy and training across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. I was tasked with designing and implementing an ESF wide Speech and Language Therapy Service. I moved back to Hove, UK in 2016 to start a family and I now have a son and daughter. On my return to the UK I have worked for the NHS in a locum role and currently work at Farney Close School Ltd.
Throughout my 18 years of experience I have developed an excellent reputation for effective services for young people who present with social communication needs. My international work and CPD has provided a wealth of experience working with children, families, carers and professionals from many different backgrounds
I am particularly passionate about empowering parents and siblings of children with individual needs with a focus on early years intervention for language development through play. Hanen training and certification has allowed me to deliver effective parent coaching sessions that have real results within the family unit both in Hong Kong and the UK.
