Who We Are
We are a small, specialist team of three professionals who have grown organically to meet the individual and often complex needs of the young people we support. We’ve come together through shared values and a commitment to doing things differently — with compassion, flexibility and deep respect for each learner’s unique story.
We work in close partnership not just with the learner, but with the whole family. We know that when a child is struggling, the impact ripples outward and when support is done well, the ripple effect is just as powerful in the other direction. That’s why we prioritise honest communication, collaborative planning, and regular check-ins with families, placing relationships and trust at the heart of everything we do.
Because we’re a small team, we’re able to offer something rare: consistent, responsive support that’s tailored not only to a learner’s educational needs, but also to their wellbeing, identity, and home life. We don’t deliver education to families, we work with them to create learning experiences that feel safe, meaningful, and sustainable.
Joanne
Founder, Teacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead
With over 15 years of experience as a teacher and SEND/SEMH specialist, I founded IncludEd to provide the kind of education I wish had existed for so many of the learners I’ve supported — bespoke, neurodiversity-affirming, and grounded in safety, trust and respect.
Before launching IncludEd, I served as a Deputy Headteacher in a specialist settings, led staff training on trauma-informed approaches, and worked extensively with children and young people facing significant barriers to education. I am also a trauma and attachment specialist, and a former home educator to my step-son. Experiences that all deeply inform my belief in meeting every learner exactly where they are.
I created IncludEd to be the antithesis of one-size-fits-all education. We specialise in working with young people who are often misunderstood or left behind by traditional systems, including those with Autism, ADHD, PDA, sensory differences, and mental health needs. My approach is rooted in acceptance, flexibility, and genuine relationships — because learning only happens when a child feels safe, seen, and supported.
As a tutor, my practice is guided by the same values that underpin IncludEd: compassion, autonomy, curiosity, and unwavering belief in each learner’s potential. I don’t believe in coercion or shame — only in adapting, listening, and walking alongside the child on their terms.
Fiona
Teacher & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
With 25 years of experience teaching across all year groups in primary education, I bring both deep expertise and a genuine passion for helping children thrive. I find the most rewarding part of my work is supporting students with additional needs, creating tailored approaches that enable them to access learning with confidence and success. Over the years, I’ve completed a wide range of specialist training, including Autism Level 2, attachment training, and, most recently, experience supporting children with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). As a compassionate and experienced SEN tutor, I’ve delivered targeted support to children with a range of additional needs including autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, using evidence-based strategies and personalised learning plans to promote engagement, progress, and confidence.
I strongly believe in child-led learning and am experienced in adapting work to suit the individual — with the aim that the learner is often unaware they are even “being taught”! I want learning to be fun, meaningful, and inspiring, sparking curiosity and a desire to find out more.
I’m also a mum to three very active boys who keep me on my toes — and help me stay grounded in the real, everyday experiences of childhood and learning.
I believe every child can thrive when learning feels safe, relevant, and enjoyable
David
Therapeutic Dance Teacher and 1:1 Learning Support Assistant
I’m both a dance teacher and a specialist SEMH/SEND Learning Support Assistant, and I’m passionate about helping young people access education in ways that feel safe, personalised, and meaningful.
As someone who struggled to access school myself growing up, I know how powerful it can be when a young person finally feels seen, accepted, and supported. For me, that moment came through dance — it gave me confidence, purpose, and a sense of belonging. That experience shaped the work I do today.
Before working in education, I was a professional dancer, performing on stage and in music videos. I bring this creative background into every session I lead, using movement as a tool for expression, connection, and emotional regulation. I’ve seen first-hand how powerful the arts can be in unlocking a young person’s confidence and supporting their mental health.
Over the years, I’ve worked in a range of specialist settings and supported children and young people with a wide variety of needs, including autism, ADHD, PDA, and social, emotional and mental health challenges. My approach is flexible, trauma-informed, and always led by the learner — because I believe every child deserves to learn in a way that works for them.
At IncludEd, I provide both 1:1 support and dance tuition tailored to each learner. Whether we’re moving to music, exploring creative expression, or working on building trust and communication, I’m here to walk alongside each young person and help them access education on their own terms.
