I am a Clinical Lead, Senior Mental Health Social Worker, and neurodiversity advocate with extensive experience supporting adults with complex mental health needs across NHS and Local Authority settings.

 

I am also registered as an Independent Social Work practitioner.

 

My practice is grounded in clinical leadership, safeguarding expertise, and a deep commitment to strengths‑based, neurodivergent‑affirming approaches.

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Over the past decade, I have supported multidisciplinary teams, overseen high‑risk and high‑complexity cases, and delivered specialist assessments, interventions, and safeguarding decisions. My work spans mental health, neurodevelopmental diagnoses, dual diagnoses, substance misuse, crisis pathways, and forensic contexts, giving me a comprehensive understanding of the systems that shape people’s lives—and the barriers they face within them.

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Alongside my statutory practice, I have developed a strong focus on neurodiversity. Completing the ADHD Works Coaching programme strengthened my belief that ADHD and other neurodivergent profiles are not deficits, but diverse ways of thinking, feeling, and engaging with the world. This perspective now underpins my work at Kind Minds with KM, where I integrate clinical expertise with coaching principles to help people understand their strengths, navigate challenges, and build environments that work with their brains, not against them.

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Safeguarding, risk management, and ethical practice remain central to everything I do. I bring clarity, compassion, and statutory rigour to complex situations, ensuring that safety and dignity are never compromised. At the same time, I champion autonomy, agency, and lived experience — recognising that people thrive when they are seen, heard, and supported without judgement.

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Kind Minds with KM is the space where my professional experience and personal values meet: a place to promote neurodivergent empowerment, challenge stigma, and contribute to a more inclusive and emotionally safe society. My goal is simple — to help people understand themselves, access the support they deserve, and move from surviving to thriving.​

 

Core professional skills, knowledge and experience

❑ The Care Act 2014: Strengths-Based Assessment and care and support planning

❑ Preparing for adulthood is crucial for young people with SEND, looked-after children, and young carers.

❑ Severe Mental Illness (SMI) and complex co-morbid diagnosis, including ASD/ADHD/LD, and an eating disorder.

❑ Neurodivergent Coaching, Mentoring and Advisory Services

❑ Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD/EUPD) – Insight into emotional dysregulation and trauma-informed approaches.

❑ Adolescent Mental Health

❑ Safeguarding Adults and Children & Crisis Work

❑ Motivational Interviewing – Behavioural change tactics grounded in empathy and autonomy.

❑ Substance Abuse Prevention and recovery

❑ DBT skills

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I bring extensive experience in expert‑level clinical and professional mental health social work, with a strong track record of assessing and managing highly complex and high‑risk cases. I regularly provide guidance, consultation, and support to colleagues across multidisciplinary teams, partner agencies, and wider services.

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My practice is grounded in a thorough understanding of the legislation, regulations, and statutory guidance that underpin mental health and social care. This includes safeguarding frameworks, mental health law, housing legislation, and the legal mandates governing children’s social care. I apply this knowledge confidently and consistently to ensure safe, ethical, and person‑centred decision‑making.

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I am skilled in identifying, analysing, and mitigating risk — including the use of positive risk‑taking — and I work collaboratively with individuals, families, and professionals to support shared decision‑making. My approach is rooted in delivering high‑quality, evidence‑based, and person‑centred interventions tailored to the unique needs of each individual.

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I also hold in‑depth knowledge of the Care Act 2014, including the ability to conduct complex Section 117 and Care Act reviews, with a clear understanding of the financial and commissioning implications of care packages. My experience includes delivering strengths‑based assessments and care and support planning for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), neurodivergent profiles, and mental health needs — always aligned with trauma‑informed principles and the core values of dignity, autonomy, and empowerment.

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I can offer the following services:

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​Social Work Assessments & Specialist Support

 

1. Social Work Assessment: The Care Act 2014 (Adults 18+)

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I offer comprehensive Care Act 2014 Strengths‑Based Assessments and care and support planning for adults aged 18+. These assessments are specifically tailored for individuals with:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Neurodivergent profiles

• Mental health needs

My approach is grounded in the Care Act 2014, trauma‑informed principles, and a deep understanding of how neurodivergence shapes daily living, communication, and support needs. Assessments focus on strengths, capabilities, and meaningful outcomes, ensuring that care and support plans reflect the person’s values, preferences, and lived experience.

 

2. Social Work Assessment: SEND & The Care Act 2014 — Preparing for Adulthood (Year 9+)

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I provide Care Act 2014 Strengths‑Based Transition Assessments for young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan under the Children and Families Act 2014.

Preparation for adulthood must begin from Year 9, and the transition assessment should form part of the annual statutory EHC plan review. My assessments help ensure a smooth, well‑planned transition from children’s to adult care and support by:

• Identifying strengths, needs, aspirations, and long‑term outcomes

• Ensuring continuity of support

• Aligning education, health, and social care planning

• Supporting young people and families to understand their rights under the Care Act 2014

These assessments are tailored for young people with ASD, neurodivergence, or mental health needs, and are delivered using trauma‑informed, person‑centred practice.

 

Support with the Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan Process

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I can provide independent social work input throughout the EHC plan process, including:

• Contributing to the social care section of the EHC plan

• Liaising with education, health, and social care professionals

• Ensuring the child or young person’s needs — and the parent/carer’s views — are fully represented

• Supporting families to navigate complex systems with clarity and confidence​

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As an Independent Social Worker, I Will:

• Act in the best interests of the child, young person, or adult

• Provide clear, professional reports, recommendations, and advocacy

• Work collaboratively with parents, carers, and relevant professionals

• Uphold confidentiality, data protection, and ethical practice at all times

 

3. Neurodivergent Coaching, Mentoring and Advisory Services

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Tailored Support for Unique Kind Minds

 

Personalised coaching sessions designed for neurodivergent individuals. I will help you navigate life's challenges, enhance your strengths, and achieve your goals in a supportive environment.

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Neurodiversity coaching provides support to Neurodiverse Individuals, including those with ADHD and ASD. including work and daily life, identifying strengths,creating strategies to address challenges, and promoting understanding of neurodiversity.

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The support may include:

❑ Life skills coaching

❑ Psychoeducation related to ADHD and/or ASD

❑ Assisting in developing individualised external systems and strategies that shore up executive functioning skills

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Imperial College London quotes the following definition of ‘Coaching’ which was put forward by Sir John Whitmore, widely acknowledged as the father of coaching for performance: 

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Coaching involves both a mindset and a skillset.

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• Mindset: You are resourceful, with inner strengths, capabilities and wisdom. As a result, you will often be able to identify the solution(s) to the issues you are experiencing

• Skillset: This is about how to structure your thinking about your issue in order to find a solution that works for you”

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4. Social Work coaching and mentoring

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Coaching and mentoring in social work are powerful tools for professional development.

 

Social Work coaching and mentoring - What They Are

 

• Coaching: A structured, goal-oriented process where a coach helps a social worker enhance performance, develop leadership skills, and navigate challenges.

   

• Mentoring: A relationship-based approach where a more experienced social worker offers guidance, wisdom, and support to a less experienced colleague.

 

🌱 Benefits for Social Workers

 

• Skill Development: Enhances communication, leadership, and ethical decision-making.

   

• Confidence & Competence: Builds self-assurance in handling complex cases and navigating organisational systems.

   

• Emotional Support: Offers a safe space to reflect, decompress, and build resilience.

   

• Career Progression: Encourages growth through feedback, goal-setting, and exposure to new opportunities.

   

• Ethical Practice: Reinforces values and professional standards through modelling and discussion.

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EDUCATION

 

• 2020 - PgCert Applied Mental Health Practice. The University of Hertfordshire

• 2014-2016 - MA Social Work, Middlesex University

• 2000-2003 - BA Sociology, University of Lodz/Poland

 

 

Relevant Training Courses

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• ADHD Works - ADHD Coaching​ - Dec 2025

• IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) - SEND 0-25 Law - Level 1 - December 2025

• The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism - March 2025

• DBT®Skills Essentials Workshop British Isles DBT Training 2019​

• Adapting Your DBT® Programme For Substance Use Disorders British Isles DBT Training – 2020

 

Licenses & certifications

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• ADOS-2 - Issued May 2025

• The Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R) Issued Apr 2025

 

Skills and knowledge

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• Neurodiversity

• SEND 0-25

• Adults Social Care

• Transition into adult services

• Severe mental illness (SMI)

• Working with Restricted Patients

• Domestic Abuse and MARAC

• MAPPA

• Safeguarding Adults

• Safeguarding Children

• Crisis Intervention

• BPD/EUPD

• Substance Use Disorders

• Adolescent Mental Health

• Mental Health Law

• Social Work

• Section 117 Aftercare

• Case Management

• The Care Act 2014

• Social Services

• Motivational Interviewing

• Mental Health Assessment

• Substance Abuse Prevention

• Mental Health

• Mental Health Care

• Community Mental Health

• Mental Health Treatment

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WORK EXPERIENCE

 

Clinical Lead –  Adult Specialist Mental Health Service,​ 

- July 2025 – present

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Dual Diagnosis Senior Practitioner​ -

- October 2023 – July 2025

 

Social Worker/Senior Social Work Practitioner – Adult Specialist Mental Health Service,

- July 2020 -October 2023 – Senior Social Worker,

- December 2016-July 2020 – Social Worker

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