Stephanie Bates, Dip NN, Dip CBT, BA(Hons), MSc, began her career working in early years settings as a nursery nurse and then a one to one carer for a child with social and communication difficulties. She went on to gain a first-class Degree with Honours in Childhood and Youth Professional Studies from the University of Chester, and has  completed a Postgraduate Masters in Family and Child Psychology also at the University of Chester. It is through her University studies that Stephanie developed a passion for learning about, and supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of, children and their families.

She has worked with several children with a range of social, communication and sensory difficulties, and has a child with Autism herself, so this is one of her areas of particular interest. Stephanie is passionate about raising awareness of, and helping children and families to understand the complexities of Autism  Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the ways in which it affects each individual’s communication, social experiences, feelings, learning and behaviour. She is also keen to offer support to families on the roller coaster journey of seeking or receiving a diagnosis of ASD.

Stephanie is a qualified Youth Mental Health First Aider, is fully insured and DBS checked and has first aid and safeguarding training which is regularly updated.

Stephanie discovered through her research projects at the University of Chester that there is currently a significant need for emotional health and wellbeing education and support for children and their families. Children are sadly often reaching crisis point whilst on a waiting list, and this motivated Stephanie to establish Kids Dot Calm with the aim of using her qualifications and experience to help children, adolescents and families to make sense of the difficulties and challenges they may be experiencing, and supporting positive change.