FASD and Complex Cases

Meet Hannah

Hannah joined as the service lead for Nudge Minds after spending many years delivering specialist coaching, education and clinical sports therapy internationally. Throughout her career as a professional sports therapist, mindfulness specialist, health and wellbeing coach and training consultant, she provided therapeutic interventions and coaching within professional sport, corporations and throughout local communities. She specialises in mind-body practises and thrives on empowering others through delivering techniques to support the physiological imprint of trauma, and the physical and emotional effects of stress. Hannah understands that early intervention can have a profound effect on the lives of individuals and believes that every intervention should be as unique as the story of that person. Hannah joined Nudge MInds with a mission to eradicate unnecessary emotional pain in young people.

In her own words, "I am delighted to be part of such an impactful organisation and to lead on the Nudge Minds mission. I know that when a young person is suffering it takes a professional who can nurture, provide security and really attune to the child’s needs. Many children suffer chronically with emotional and physical difficulties, and sadly find it difficult to thrive. They can get stuck in rigid or chaotic cycles with difficulties trusting themselves and their world around them. Nudge Minds empowers young people every day, through providing unique intervention strategies that are flexible, creative, sensitive and fully support healthy integration of the child. The results of these interventions are incredible and I am so proud to be a part of this amazing work"

Meet Jack

Jack has worked in and around education for over ten years, from working with community choirs to supporting young people from all walks of life. Recently, Jack has shifted his work focus back to education and he couldn’t be happier with that decision. He loves learning about learning but doesn’t see why we should let limited thinking dictate what learning should look like. Nudge Education has created an environment where he can show up to work as himself, and learn how to support young people in figuring out how to do the same.

In his own words, “Once you realise you don’t have to understand somebody to value them, the rest is a lot more straightforward. Nudge Education looks at children and young people as complete human beings, rather than as problems to solve and that is why I love it here.”

Meet Kate

Kate has spent the last decade supporting students from all walks of life. Helping a student to reach their full potential has turned into a passion of hers. Kate is now utilising her passion for self-development as she supports our Education Experts on their journey with Nudge Education.

In her own words, "Everyone has the right to access education or the chance to better their lives at any age. I'm lucky to be in a position to make this happen for young people with the hope that it makes their futures look a lot brighter"

Meet Jack

Jack has worked in and around education for over ten years, from working with community choirs to supporting young people from all walks of life. Recently, Jack has shifted his work focus back to education and he couldn’t be happier with that decision. He loves learning about learning but doesn’t see why we should let limited thinking dictate what learning should look like. Nudge Education has created an environment where he can show up to work as himself, and learn how to support young people in figuring out how to do the same.

Meet Vicky

Victoria moved into private mental health services shortly after completing her MSc in Clinical Psychology and gained experience working with clients suffering from acute mental health difficulties. Victoria has spent time working with various charities, providing one-to-one support for families and running behavioural management interventions. Alongside her role at Nudge, Victoria is also a qualified Psychological Life Coach and works with businesses in the financial sector to support and elevate the performance of employees.

In her own words, "Nudge Education is pioneering a movement that is determined to ensure no young person is left behind. Every day I am inspired by colleagues who are relentless in finding new and creative ways to support students and by the young people who I have the privilege to work with. Nudge Education facilitates me in being creative with how I engage and connect with each student and there is no bigger honour than to be a part of each student’s journey along their pathway to a life worth living"

Meet Adeline

Adeline originally joined Nudge as an Education Expert (EE) in 2018 and has provided meaningful interventions that have encouraged and inspired a number of our students back into education. Adeline is now part of our Case Management Team, working behind the scenes to ensure each student is matched with the best EE(s) to meet their needs and is first point of contact for EE’s. Having previously worked in the welfare to work industry, Adeline has trained young people and adults in employability skills and supported them into employment and apprenticeships.

In their own words, "It’s important to me that young people are not defined by or live their lives based on rejection and negative words that have been spoken over them and that they’ve believed. My time at Nudge has reinforced my belief that it is crucial for children to have positive role models and motivational educators in their lives and our EE’s are just that! I’m pleased to now be part of the team that have supported me in my time thus far with Nudge and I feel honoured to be supporting other EE’s as they provide the belief, care and support that all our students deserve."

Meet Charlotte

Charlotte is a Senior Education Expert at Nudge, providing support for Education Experts in the North East region as well as working with students. Charlotte worked as an English Teacher before becoming a Director of Progress in a secondary school. After completing an action research project on Looked After Children in Education, she became passionate about supporting vulnerable children in society.

In her own words, "Working with Nudge gives me such pride and job satisfaction. The children and young adults we work with often have a range of additional needs or very challenging circumstances - they need individualised support from passionate and knowledgeable people. This is what we can offer. Seeing their progress, sometimes over a very short amount of time, is so rewarding."

Meet Leigh-Anne

Day to day as a case manager Leigh-Anne makes sure she is available to help both parents and ee's to have successful sessions. She is on hand with any query, anybody has while also making sure the day to day tasks are ticking along so interventions can be successful.

Before joining Nudge Leigh-Anne trained and worked as an English teacher, her move to Nudge came because she wanted to be able to work directly with disengaged students in a pastoral role. Although she is still always on hand with a copy of Jekyll and Hyde if anybody needs one.

In her own words, "What I enjoy most about my job as a case manager is seeing an intervention go from start to finish. Being able to be part of getting a disengaged student back into education, is so brilliant to see"

Meet Jen Notman

Jen has always been fascinated by people and felt drawn to helping those in need. She began her career in adult mental health before changing direction to primary education. Throughout her 10-year teaching career, Jen has worked with children aged 3-17 in various settings. Her key areas of experience are in early years, drama, and SEN. Jen has a nurturing approach to teaching and likes to make learning fun.

Meet Clare Falcus

Claire works with the core team in the recruitment of Education Experts, Case Management and directly with young people as a Nudge Education Expert. She is a Qualified Family Solicitor having worked within the fields of child protection and children in care. Having formed a local charity offering inclusive arts and music projects for all, she is passionate about the empowerment of young people and providing opportunities to engage and enrich young lives.

Meet Ben

Ben has worked with young people for over 17 years in many different areas including; Pupil Referral Units, Youth Work, Restorative Justice, Youth Offending, Crime Prevention, Health/Fitness/Wellbeing and Schools. Ben has always been a champion of the underdog and felt that many young people don't fit the mould schools and society expect them to. Ben's mission is to help young people find their place within the systems to help eradicate their disengagement from education and society so they can live a full and amazing life!

In his own words, "My ability to connect and communicate effectively with people has been the essence of all my work with young people, as Learning Mentor, Youth Worker, RJ Co-ordinator, Crime Prevention worker, Inclusion manager and SEMH Co-ordinator. I feel this is one of my most valuable skills and I pride myself on being a people person."

Meet Micah

Micah works to recruit our Education Experts (vetting CV's and having initial contact with the applicants to ensure they are the right fit for the role) She has personal experience of disengaged students due to her family fostering children. Micah comes from a Government administration and compliance background.

In her own words, "I love what Nudge stands for, I believe that all children can achieve their best life if they are given the right support relevant to their individual needs. I am proud to be part of finding the right Education Experts to deliver that support. "

Meet Rich

Rich has always been drawn to supporting young people who struggle to access education. Having worked in outdoor Ed centres for people with special needs and having a post grad qualification in outdoor Ed and teaching, he fell almost accidentally into working in schools. He has worked with young people with special educational needs, disabilities and those becoming disengaged. He has worked with young people from 4-18. From special school to Sendco at 4 schools and assistant head at 2 working in different countries and counties over the last 30 years always focusing on those who need extra support.

In his own words, "I’ve worked in many different educational settings over the years. During this time I have been fortunate enough to meet some inspirational and dedicated professionals, who are able to transform the lives of young people who have become disengaged. When I started working for Nudge I quickly realised that I had found an organisation where every single person shared the same passion for eradicating chronic disengagement. I feel very privileged to be a part of the team and to be able to positively transform the lives of young people and their families."

Meet Ana

Ana looks after the organisation of our caseload, advising and scheduling our Education Experts, assisting with the set-up of new commissions and managing timetables for all of our students. Ana comes from an administration and management background.

In her own words, “I love my role here within Nudge Education. It's great to be able to match an Education Expert with a student and watch them both thrive. Knowing I’ve played a part in helping a young person transition back into education is something I'm extremely mindful of and proud to be part of it”

Meet Claire

Claire oversees the people and financial side of Nudge Education. She makes sure that there are a high calibre of Education Experts coming into our network to engage with our students and she is in close contact with our commissioners on a range of matters. She has also worked with disengaged students and unemployed adults for over a decade, helping to provide a wide range of opportunities through apprenticeships and flexible study programmes

In her own words, “It’s an honour to be a part of enabling young people, whatever their needs, to achieve their aims ready for work and life. It’s so important we embrace our diverse communities and provide a positive environment for achievement”

Meet Brian

Brian is Nudge Education’s Managing Director. Brian spent a decade working for international charities and companies with people from all walks of life who were experiencing extreme levels of poverty, isolation and low self-esteem. He supported them in developing their skills and accessing work-ready programmes and employment opportunities, enabling them to find purpose and place in society. Having managed major, multi-million pound public sector contracts, Brian brings a wealth of experience to the operational side of Nudge Education.

In his own words, "Everyday at Nudge Education, something amazing happens. A transition to a new school, a young person who had not left home in 6 weeks enjoying learning from a local park, a student absent from school for 3 years now achieving 100% attendance… I am constantly proud of the progress that our young people make and I'm endlessly humbled and inspired by the professionals who come alongside us to lead our interventions. When I helped set up Nudge Education with Diego, I hoped to make an impact in the lives of young people. Having read the reports and personally spoken to commissioners, parents, carers and other professionals, I'm happy to say that this is happening on a daily basis”

Meet Lizzy

Lizzie oversees all of the interventions delivered across the UK to ensure that each provision is meeting the needs of each young person. She is involved in the initial assessments for new students and helps to match them to the Education Expert who will provide their bespoke intervention. She also attends multi-agency meetings and regularly meets with our students and Education Experts on commission for additional support. Lizzie has worked in a variety of educational settings and enjoys watching each student’s journey back into education.

In her own words, “During my time in education I have witnessed how the school environment and the education system overall does not work for every student. Being part of a company who realises this and works hard to make education bespoke for young people is a privilege”

Meet Fiona

Fiona has been in teaching for over 20 years. Starting out as a secondary school History teacher in London she quickly gravitated towards SEN. She has taught in mainstream, private and special schools and worked for her Local Authority as a Specialist Teacher helping schools and the Youth Justice Service to support their young people. Currently, alongside her Nudge role, Fiona works as a tutor supporting children with barriers to their learning.

In her own words, "Our education system does not fit everyone all the time. We all know this but, no matter how much we care, as educators in a typical school or setting, we have to work within the parameters of how far we can reach out to those who have disengaged and this is not always enough.These children and young people need fast, innovative and effective intervention targeted around their primary needs to turn around the juggernaut that is chronic disengagement. This is what Nudge Education does and why I feel so privileged to be a part of it."

Meet Jen

Jen has always been fascinated by people and felt drawn to helping those in need. She began her career in adult mental health before changing direction to primary education. Throughout her 10-year teaching career, Jen has worked with children aged 3-17 in various settings. Her key areas of experience are in early years, drama, and SEN. Jen has a nurturing approach to teaching and likes to make learning fun.

In her own words, "I absolutely love Nudge Education. After working in a number of education and mental health settings, I have finally found where I belong. With Nudge Education I can give children individual care and attention, to help them believe in themselves and look to their future with hope. I love being part of such a positive, dynamic team and I am immensely proud of the amazing influence we are having on children’s lives daily."

Meet Diego

Diego leads the team and founded Nudge Education and Nudge Minds. Diego is originally from Brazil but England has been home for the past 15 years. After a decade working within the third sector, Diego became a teacher with a specialism in special needs education and taught in a number of schools and colleges in the North East of England. Diego naturally gravitates towards those who did not quite fit the mould in schools. Compelled to eradicate exclusion and inequality, Diego left mainstream teaching to set up Nudge Education by combining a number of disciplines to create holistic interventions that raise aspirations and save lives.

In his own words, “There must be more for those who need it the most in our society. I love learning and have been a direct beneficiary of Education; it taught me to live life well and fully. Nudge Education is a step closer towards ensuring our most ‘in need’ children get the best possible chance to be part of a vibrant education system where so many of our other, more resourced children thrive. I know I am biased, but what we are delivering across the region and beyond is infectiously inspirational and thoroughly cutting edge. Here’s to a life worth living for every child we have the pleasure to come alongside of”

Meet Ailsa

Ailsa is Nudge Education’s representative in Scotland who specialises in supporting children and young people with FASD, trauma and complex neurodevelopmental diagnoses. As a parent to a young son with FASD, ASD and ADHD and a teacher of twenty years’ experience, she understands the barriers to learning from both a teacher’s and a learner’s perspective.

When her son required more support, she left her teaching job and began working to not only raise awareness of FASD and developmental trauma, but to provide practical support and strategies to students and the education staff working with them. She now works ‘on the ground’ in local authority and independent schools as an Education Consultant who specialises in trauma informed practice and FASD. She provides one to one teaching for students who have multiple diagnoses or complex needs and who have difficulty accessing learning in ‘traditional’ ways.

Ailsa writes, blogs, presents and lectures on trauma and FASD, as well as mentoring adoptive families, creating training resources for professionals and working directly with students.

Meet Clare

Clare Devanney-Glynn is the chair of the advisory board for Nudge Education, bringing to this role her invaluable lived experience around Trauma Informed Practice, FASD and education. Clare is the mother of three teens with FASD, and is passionate about helping educate people around this hidden disability.

Clare sits on the NICE panel for the very first FASD Quality Standards ever produced in England, and is one half of the Spotlight on FASD (see above).

Alongside her work with Nudge Education, Clare is the Lead for The Voice of Children Young People & Families for NHS England’s Northern England Mental Health Clinical Network, as well as working alongside CAMHS delivering the Trauma Informed Care training that she helped to create. Clare was also part of the team of people who created the Trauma Clinical Pathway for CAMHS using her considerable lived experience of children and young people with complex needs.

Clare supports and mentors families of children and young people living with FASD and trauma and the complexities they face in education and works alongside the Clinical Psychology Doctorate trainee programme at Teeside University, providing lived experience input.

In her own words, “It makes me so happy to be working with Nudge Education to ensure that more children like my own have a life worth living.”

Meet Andrew

Andrew’s interest in working with children and young adults with FASD was sparked during his time at Nudge Education, and by his experiences working with one particular young person with FASD.

Andrew has been teaching for over 15 years, working with children and adults of all ages in both academic and therapeutic settings. He has experience working with young people with FASD and other complex needs such as ADHD, PTSD, trauma and autism.

In Andrew’s own words, “I decided to focus my teaching around FASD and complex needs, so as to be able to better help these complex individuals. Once you understand the scope of what FASD is, how it affects young people and that it is so easily avoidable, it draws you in and almost consumes you. It is one of the most interesting hidden disabilities I have ever encountered.”

He brings with him a wealth of experience in education, with a Masters of Science in Higher Education with a specialization in Pedagogy and Training from Walden University in the States.

Meet Jessica

Nudge Education’s FASD and Complex Case service is overseen by Jessica Rutherford.

Jessica has over 7 years experience working directly with individuals FASD through in-person support and academically, and is currently in the final stages of completing her PhD in Educational Interventions for Children with FASD at Loughborough University.

Jessica has presented at 10 international research conferences, assisted in the development and delivery of creative workshops for individuals with complex neurodevelopmental profiles and had her research published in academic journals. For three years, Jessica held the position of Assistant Director of Operations at CAMP - A FASD Community. Jessica has also worked as an FASD Advisor for FASD Hub Scotland, alongside a number of other student support roles. Jessica recently launched the UK’s first podcast dedicated to FASD, Spotlight on FASD, with friend and colleague Clare Devanney-Glynn.

FASD Services
& Complex Cases

Meet the team

FASD Services & Complex Cases

Meet the team

Meet Hannah

Meet Jack

Meet Kate

Meet Jack

Meet Vicky

Meet Adeline

Meet Charlotte

Meet Leigh-Anne

Meet Jen Notman

Meet Clare Falcus

Meet Ben

Meet Micah

Meet Rich

Meet Ana

Meet Claire

Meet Brian

Meet Lizzy

Meet Fiona

Meet Jen

Meet Diego

Meet Ailsa

Meet Clare

Meet Andrew

Meet Jessica

FASD Services
& Complex Cases