I qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1986 and have over 37 years experience of working in the NHS providing assessment, intervention, training, support and consultancy for neurodiverse adults, their families and support networks. I graduated from Birmingham University with a Master of Science (MSc) degree in 2008, and from DeMontfort University with a Doctorate in 2019. 

I have worked in both hospital and community settings, in clinical and operational roles.  For the last 15 years I have worked as a Consultant Nurse role providing highly specialist intervention to a diverse population group, including individuals with learning disabilities and mental health issues. I have also specialised in working with autistic adults and previously was the Clinical Lead for autism across Derbyshire. I was fundamental in setting up the Autism Assessment Service. I am an experienced practitioner in providing adult autism assessments and interventions. 
I am qualified in all globally recognised autism assessment and diagnostic tools (DISCO, ADI-R and ADOS).
I have recently undertaken the training for the newly launched ACIA assessment tool, which was development by Newcastle University in conjunction with Autistica and patients by experience. I am also qualified in the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD Adults (DIVA).

I have actively been involved in national developments, including being a Darzi regional Lead and a member of the Department of Health and NHS England working groups. I have lectured at Nottingham University, and provided bespoke training to a variety of service provides, including the Criminal Justice Service and Magistrates. I have published chapters in academic literature, for example the Frith Prescribing Guidelines and Oxford Handbook of Learning and Intellectual Disability Nursing and my thesis is in the British Library.

I am registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and a member of the Royal College of Nursing.

I am a chartered clinical psychologist with over 25 years experience of working in the NHS providing assessment, therapy, training, support and consultation to neurodiverse adults and children, their families, support networks and other professionals. This has included experience of working with a widely diverse population with different needs due to age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, culture, differing ability levels due to presence of specific learning difficulties or a wider learning disability, or because of coexisting mental health needs.

For the last 5 years I have provided Clinical Leadership for the Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Autism Assessment Service for adults without a learning disability and in this role provides supervision, training and advice to professionals from services across the Health, Social Care and Voluntary Sector to enable them to make reasonable adjustments and be more accessible to individuals with diverse needs. I also offer clinical consultancy to mainstream mental health professionals on the adaptation of mental health services to meet autistic needs.   

I am an active member of the Derbyshire Autism Partnership Board and have supported co-production initiatives including the development of written information leaflets, Autism boxes for clinical environments, involvement of experts by experience in staff training and the development of universally recognised autism passports.  I am a member of both the National Network of Autism Professionals and the C19 Autism Group. These groups bring together professionals across the United Kingdom who provide diagnostic assessment services for neurodiverse adults and children, focusing on autism and ADHD. They provide a forum for peer supervision, sharing of resources and research developments, and discussion regarding consistency of approach. 

I am qualified in all globally recognised autism assessment and diagnostic tools (DISCO, ADI-R and ADOS).
I have recently undertaken the training for the newly launched ACIA assessment tool, which was development by Newcastle University in conjunction with Autistica and patients by experience. I am also qualified in the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD Adults (DIVA).

I have lectured on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programmes at both the University of Leicester and the University of Trent and has provided bespoke training packages for a variety of service providers. I am a chartered member of the British Psychology Society, a member of the Association of Clinical Psychologists and hold clinical registration with the Health Care Professions Council.