About

About us

Access is a psychologist-led consultancy that helps organisations rethink how they design and deliver support.

Access is a psychologist-led consultancy that helps public sector organisations become more human-centred.

Since 2021, we have partnered with organisations across the public and third sectors, from national bodies shaping policy to local services delivering frontline support.

We bridge the worlds of policy, research and practice, and because we work across the full system, we understand both how systems are designed and how people actually experience them.

That’s why we can translate insight into practical service design, workforce development and system-level change.

Why Access?

We exist because policy and practice are too often shaped by systems instead of people.

We work not just to provide organisations with better access to insight, research and training.

We provide access to people who are usually unheard; to the lived reality behind the numbers; and to the whole picture, from research and policy to frontline.

The outcome is services that are more accessible, because they are designed with people in mind.

Meet the Team

Dr Amanda Carr, Founder & Managing Director

Amanda is a Chartered Psychologist, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and an experienced educator and researcher. She has over 20 years’ experience in higher education and led the development of BPS-accredited postgraduate programmes in psychology and mental health. She founded ACCESS to bridge the gap between policy, research, and practice — and to centre the developmental needs of young people in systems change.

Dr Elizabeth Spruin, Director & Senior Consultant

Liz is a researcher, practitioner and senior academic with expertise in young people, trauma, and systems of care. She holds a PhD in Psychology and an MBA, and brings a unique combination of analytical and strategic insight to her work. She leads our research and evaluation portfolio, with a particular focus on mixed-methods design and lived experience. Liz is passionate about accessible and impactful research that supports service improvement.

Dr Emma Barrowcliffe – Training Associate

Emma is a Chartered Psychologist, Clinical Hypnotherapist and specialist in deliberate firesetting behaviour. She holds a PhD in Forensic Psychology and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Emma has extensive experience across mental health, probation, youth services, and forensic settings, and delivers specialist training relating to firesetting prevention and intervention to emergency services across the UK. Her research includes peer‑reviewed publications on firesetting behaviour and innovative projects using virtual‑reality technology in collaboration with international partners.

Sharon Good, Research and Training Associate

Sharon is a lecturer, researcher, and experienced practitioner with a background in widening participation, inclusive education, and careers support for underrepresented young people. Her work spans mixed methods research, student transitions, and inclusive learning design. She brings valuable insight from roles in higher education, local authorities, and specialist provision, and plays a leading role in fieldwork and learner engagement across our projects.

CJ Ford, Training Associate and Expert by Experience

CJ is a student at the University of Derby studying Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and brings valuable lived experience to our team. With a background in the charity sector supporting people with SEND, CJ has developed training resources for organisations including the NHS and Kent County Council. As a co-facilitator on our Working with Young Adults programme, CJ plays a key role in ensuring our training is grounded, relatable, and informed by real-world insight.

Lilli Murray, Research Associate and Analyst

Lilli is a BSc Psychology student at the University of Kent, supporting a range of ACCESS projects through research, data analysis, and evidence synthesis. Her work spans qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews, thematic coding, survey analysis, and literature reviews.

Professor Jan Burns MBE - Senior Strategic Advisor (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)

Professor Jan Burns MBE is an internationally recognised leader in inclusion and disability rights. An Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychology at Canterbury Christ Church University, she has played a pivotal role in shaping global policy and governance, serving as Head of Eligibility for Virtus (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) and Chair of the International Paralympic Committee’s Classification Governance and Oversight Committee. Awarded an MBE for her services to people with learning disabilities, Jan is widely recognised for her commitment to equality, fair play, and opportunities for all. At ACCESS, Jan brings her unparallel expertise as a Senior Strategic Advisor, supporting inclusive practice across research, policy, and delivery.

Dr Emma Alleyne – Senior Associate Advisor (Research & Practice)

Emma is a Reader in Forensic Psychology at the University of Kent and a Trainee Forensic Psychologist. An internationally recognised expert, she has over 15 years’ experience working with police, probation, health, and third-sector organisations, combining research and practice to develop safer, fairer systems that reduce harm and improve outcomes for marginalised communities. Emma brings specialist expertise in research ethics, and in the design, delivery and evaluation of evidence-based interventions, offering valuable insights into working with vulnerable populations and underrepresented groups.

Dr Katarina Ozcakir Mozova – Senior Associate Advisor (Ethics & Safeguarding)

Katarina is a Senior Lecturer in Policing at Canterbury Christ Church University and a member of the Canterbury Centre for Policing Research. She brings valuable expertise in applied research directly relevant to policy and practice development, ensuring the outcomes empower key stakeholders and especially those most at risk. She has a wealth of experience working with highly sensitive data and vulnerable populations which she will use to drive forward projects with ethics, sustainability and professional integrity at their forefront. Katarina offers specialist insight into research ethics and safeguarding, supporting ethical, evidence-based practice across research and delivery.