Jason Hardman, Head of Mencap Training Academy
Jason has over 25-years
experience
Experience is when you have learned or tried something before.
working in the Employability and
Education
Education is when you learn things. When you fill in a form to get a job, education means you write where you went to school, college or university.
sector. Currently heading up the Mencap Training Academy, Jason has previously managed national adult
education
Education is when you learn things. When you fill in a form to get a job, education means you write where you went to school, college or university.
programmes alongside national supported
employment
Employment means having a job.
provision. A wealth of management experience and qualifications and in-depth
knowledge
Knowledge is knowing a lot about something.
of Ofsted frameworks and Inspection processes enable Jason to effectively lead and manage.
Having previously managed Job centres, Jason is fully aware of the barriers facing people when moving into employment. For over 23 years Jason has worked for Mencap, and over this time he has directly worked alongside people with a learning disability A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things. and their families and carers.
Outside of Mencap Jason previously chaired the governing body of a primary school and oversaw the merger of the school as it joined a multi-academy trust.
Jason has a strong desire to challenge barriers and enable young people to achieve their potential and the delivery of the supported internships A work placement for young people with additional needs, where they get support from a job coach. and pre-internships provides excellent opportunities for young people to develop skills and secure employment.
Mark Capper, Head of Development
Mark has worked for Mencap since 1998, having started as a
Support Worker
Support workers are people who are paid to give care and support to people who need it.
. He has been in his current role since 2015.
Mark’s role spans several programmes within Mencap’s Inclusive Communities and Partnerships directorate, including the Mencap Training Academy. He plays a key role in developing sustainable funding and creating strategic partnerships with employers.
Hiba Momen, Supported Internship Programme Manager, London
Hiba has worked for Mencap since 2014, having started as a Caseworker. She has been in her current role since 2022.
Hiba’s role is to be accountable for the delivery of the Supported Internship programme across a set geographical area. She plays a key role in ensuring that quality, compliance, finance, staffing, placements, and learner welfare are all at the level required for high performance and achievement of outcomes in line with ESFA and Ofsted requirements.
Joyce Tainton, Supported Internship Programme Manager, Midlands
Joyce has worked for Mencap since 2001. She has always worked within Employment services and a variety of different roles, starting as a Job coach through various project management and Quality roles to her current role as Supported Internship
Manager
A manager is a boss at work. They tell you what you need to do and give you support if you need it.
, since 2019.
Joyce oversee the operational delivery of the Supported Internship and Study programmes, including some Project Search sites across the Midlands area. She works closely with local teams and managers and also within the Senior Leadership team.
Jacqui Davies, Supported Internship Coach, Midlands
Jacqui first started with Mencap in 2008 as an Administrator. Since working with Mencap she has done various roles supporting people with a learning disability to managing localities which has been her role since 2018.
Jacqui’s role is overseeing the West Midlands Supported Internship Programme within Mencap Training Academy.
Ben Blackwell, Supported Internship Coach, Midlands
Ben started working for Mencap in March 2026 as a Supported Internship Programme Coach, bringing many years of experience working within mental health, safeguarding Keeping people safe from being hurt, abused, or neglected is called Safeguarding. , training providers and specialist post 16 provisions, where he has lead on a variety of projects and provisions.
Ben’s role is overseeing the West Midlands Supported Internship Programmes within Mencap Training Academy, including our programmes in Birmingham and the Black Country.
Sam Johnson, Supported Internship Coach, London
Sam started working for Mencap in December 2025 as a Supported Internship Programme Coach having previously worked in a wide range of Charity, Further Education and Adult Learning roles managing education projects. Sam’s role is to support the delivery teams for our supported internship and pre-internship programmes in south west and west London, overseeing quality, compliance, employer partnerships and safeguarding.
Max Maalimey, Supported Internship Coach, London
Max started working for Mencap in January 2026 as a supported internship program coach, having previously worked in the Further Education and charity sectors in a variety of leadership roles. Max’s role is to lead our supported internship and pre-internship programme provision across north and north west London, overseeing quality, compliance, high-needs funding, employer partnerships and safeguarding.
Diana De Rubeis, Practice Manager (Quality)
Diana has worked at Mencap since 2003, beginning her journey as a job coach. Throughout her career, she has embraced various roles, both within Mencap and externally as tutor and assessor for an awarding
organisation
An organisation are a group of people who work together.
. This diverse experience has equipped her with a broad skill set and deep knowledge, all aimed at helping individuals with learning disabilities secure paid employment and achieve meaningful outcomes.
Diana now leads a team of Internal Quality Assurers (IQAs) in her quality-focused role. She is committed to the continuous improvement of our programmes, ensuring that every learner at Mencap receives exceptional support and a fulfilling experience. Diana’s passion for empowering others drives her to make a positive impact in the lives of people with a learning disability and her colleagues.
Alice Kapaya, Employer Relationship Manager
As our Employer
Relationships
Relationships are about the people in your life. You might have different types of relationships like friendships, family relationships, or a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Manager, Alice is responsible for sourcing and maintaining
relationships
Relationships are about the people in your life. You might have different types of relationships like friendships, family relationships, or a boyfriend or girlfriend.
with employer partners at a national level. Alice works closely with our local employer engagement officers to ensure
work experience
Work experience is when you try out a job to help you learn new skills.
placements are secured locally and that all Mencap Training Academy learners undergo work experience suited to their needs, skills and aspirations.
Alice joined Mencap in 2024, bringing a wealth of employer engagement experience from previous roles with A4E and Shaw Trust where she was involved Involved is being included in something or taking part in something. in the delivery of WorkChoice and CFO contracts.
Other members of the Mencap Training Academy team
Karl Haskett, Curriculum Manager
Karl joined Mencap in May 2023 in the role of Curriculum Manager. His experience spans 18 years, where he started as a Tutor delivering Key Skills & Employability across several different programmes.
Karl moved into a Quality role before focussing his attentions on SEN provision and has over 10 years experience as a Senior SEN Co-Ordinator. He oversees all aspects of the Mencap Training Academy's delivery, curriculum, and Functional Skills.
Mark Barker & Hollie Strong, Compliance & Performance Managers
Mark and Hollie do a job share. Together they oversee the compliance requirements for our supported internship and pre-internships. Mark and Hollie also play a key part in providing teams with key performance data.
Mark has worked for Mencap since 2020, having started as a Data Administration Manager. He has been in his current role since 2022.
Hollie joined Mencap in 2023.
Briana Drury, Professional Development Lead
Briana has worked for Mencap since 2020, initially as the Employer Relationship Manager, and has been in her current role since March 2024.
Briana's relevant experience spans over 17 years and she brings a broad skills set to learning and development, having worked as a manager, head of department, a mentor for qualified and unqualified teachers, and an advanced practitioner teacher in education.
Briana leads on the learning and development of our Mencap Training Academy colleagues. She is passionate about making a difference, supporting and enabling people to develop and achieve, and to be the best versions of themselves.
