LOOKING after any child is a full time job but one Wirral mum has made it her mission to change the lives of dozens of children – all while helping her own daughter through multiple open heart surgeries.

Nique Hallam is Wirral’s very own Super Nanny.

The 39-year-old works with children and families across the borough – and across the globe online – to tackle behavioural issues including tantrums, aggression, back-chatting, fighting, homework hassles and the dreaded bedtime battles.

But child psychologist Nique – who runs her Kidz Behaviour Tamed practice from her Prenton home – has faced her own difficulties, no more so than watching her four-year-old daughter Imogen go through four open heart surgeries.

“Imogen was born with life-threatening heart difficulties,” explained Nique, who moved to Wirral from South Africa five years ago after meeting husband Robert, originally from Heswall.

“She had her first open heart surgery at just seven days old and spent the first two months of her life in hospital.

“It was heartbreaking to see lay there with all these wires and tubes coming out of her. They left her chest open at one stage – it was horrible.”

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Imogen’s last and fourth operation took place just over 12 months ago, a time Nique said she felt like giving up, forcing her to put her work on hold temporarily.

“When her last operation came and I had to put Immy down, I was done – I just couldn’t do it.

“People say kids go through so much and they do but it’s the parents. The children are sleeping but it’s mum and dad who sit outside and don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Imogen is now on the mend and looking forward to starting school in September.

Looking at her, you would have no idea the struggles she has been through.

To celebrate her recovery, Nique has started advertising her practice again and is hoping to help even more parents facing difficult behaviour with their children.

She said: “I work with families of all types with all types of behaviour problems.

“I empower and teach parents techniques to regain the control of their homes, I give tools and equipment.

"I teach parents that with every action there is a reaction, good or bad there has to be a consequence to each action."

Nique works with families all over the world, using Skype to contact parents in America and Scotland.

“One of my proudest moments was the first time our local GP referred my practice to his patients – I have it framed on my wall.

“For me, I knew that I was making a difference not just in single cases but also making a difference in our community.”

Speaking to Nique about her work, it’s clear that behaviour therapy is more than just a job to her and her dedication and passion has been rewarded with her being nominated to join the Royal Society of Medicine as a senior associate member.

  • Anyone interested in finding out more about Nique’s work should contact her on 0151 677 1760, 07792742744 or email kidzbehaviourtamed@yahoo.com