Neuroinclusive equitable education

Welcome. I work to enable educational settings to better understand and support neurodivergent/disabled people in addition to all the other ‘protected characteristics’  as per the Equality act 2010 and ensure best practice is being delivered in relation to the SEND code 2015 and the UNCRC. (United Nations Convention on Rights of a Child). I work to ensure best practice on all of the above is met at educational settings in an equitable, compliant safe way long term. 

I can be brought in to solve/trouble shoot ‘live’ issues relating to the above and work to ensure all is left in order. 

It is becoming more and more important to meet the increased need and expectation to be fully and authentically neuro-affirming in harmony with your revised EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) commitments. In doing so untapped talents within your neurodiverse setting can be realised. 

As your consultant, I can work independently and in partnership with you to make sure all the positive changes take place and in doing so can free you up to get on with the day-to-day running of your organisation, knowing the correct changes are being managed.

I would be delighted to support and enable your organisation to be fully neuroinclusive. I can carry out a full assessment and put together an action plan for you which I can support you to implement or implement for you. I will then leave you safe in the knowledge you are up to date, compliant and effectively responsible across the board at your education provision and can return and continue to advise as required. My work with you to implement the bespoke plan for your setting will create long-lasting, impactful change that will make a real difference to all the people within your organisation, as well as  how your provision is recognised, viewed and assessed externally. 

Neuroinclusivity is something to be understood, embraced, systemically embedded, and enjoyed. I am here to show you how with humour, warmth,  efficiency, and without judgement.

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The educational umbrella: earlyyears/schools/YOI/PRU/Private/State:

  • improving your SEND provision
  • Policy and practice development
  • Strategic Planning - neuroinclusive
  • Working culture change: Neuro-affirming and neuroinclusive
  • Mock Inspection and compliance work
  • Navigating the SEND system and how it applies to your setting
  • Trouble Shooting and supporting as a third party
  • Delivering Talks
  • Creating and delivering training and workshops
  • Intersectionality & Positionality: Assessing your setting/organisation across all other protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 within your policies, procedures and overall working culture and identifying any issues and resolving them.
  • Understanding behaviours that feel challenging as unmet needs and finding solutions to resolve peacefully.

Lets get to work! (20 min discovery call is free)

  • Initial meeting to discuss scope of work
  • Provisional project plan created: talks, training, mock inspections, SEND provision upgrade, full 'Equality act check' option, etc.
  • Assessment: observations, policies, procedures, feedback info etc if relevent
  • Reviewed project plan with associated budget created.
  • Work carried out within agreed timescale with margin and regular review points. Records of simple action points will be kept.
  • Work carried out within agreed timescale with regular review points.
"Yasmin has provided great expertise to our charity, Addiction Professionals, in providing webinars and conference workshops on neurodiversity. She is knowledgeable, insightful and great to work with."
Kate Halliday
Addiction Professionals

My Relevant Experience:

  • 30 years' professional and lived experience in the field.
  • Qualified Project Manager: Prince 2.
  • Former Ofsted-registered ‘outstanding’ and multi-award winning education provider of eight years.
  • Qualified to Master's level in psychoanalytical observational skills at the world-renowned Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust in London.
  • Former early years SENDCO.
  • Experience of living and working in London, New York and Sydney in related work giving depth of field.
  • Invited parlimentary review speaker - Early Years Education.
  • Invited speaker at the Royal College of GPs - Autism.
  • Lived experience of neurodivergence as a late-diagnosed woman.
  • Lived experience as a mother to a neurodivergent and disabled child and all that entails in relation to education, health & care emotionally, politically, socially and financially.
  • Founder and director of a 'not for profit' Organisation delivering highly adapted, neuro-affirming 'community based education'.
  • Featured multiple times on radio, BBC news, documentaries and information films highlighting best practice.
  • Commissioned blogger/writer/featured author on matters relating to education, early years, neurodivergence, autism and more.
  • PGC in Autism (Distinction) at Sheffield Hallam University with a focus on educational theories and support
  • Founder and director of 'Neuroverse community' Not-for-profit delivering highly adapted neuroinclusive 'community based education' in Gloucestershire, England
  • Creator of 'The Freedom Approach' a neuroinclusive, holistic pedagogy currently sucessful in use to direct 'community based education' for neurodivergent and disabled young people in Gloucestershire.
Find some of my education articles, features and blog posts by clicking above.
Yasmin in 2023 standing at Sulkin house, one of the innovative and change making social housing projects by Maxwell Fry, her late great grandfather, architect and painter.

My breadth of professional and lived experience (see About page) has equipped me well to confidently attune myself to the work at hand and respond with innovation, commitment, attention to detail and excellent communication. I remain passionate, enthused, and honoured to take part in the emerging global culture shift in neuroinclusive acceptance and understanding.

Times, they are a changing! And I am delighted to be part of that change and make your setting part of it.

My professional early years experience:

Following its success, my home-based childcare service was approached to be featured in the short film below by PACEY: Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

Find more of my work with PACEY on my media page.

I founded Maisie Poppins Nursery & Preschool as a natural development from home childcare

As a natural progression and in response to popular demand from families with children at my home-based childcare setting, I went on to found Maisie Poppins Nursery & Preschool in 2018. 

I felt honoured that my hard work was recognised with multiple and national awards and was graded ‘outstanding in all areas’ by Ofsted twice, growing into a full nursery and preschool in London Fields, Hackney. I ran these two settings throughout the Covid pandemic and beyond with a firm ‘people over profit’ approach and with enhanced levels of safety and care.

Virtual tour of Maisie Poppins Nursery & Preschool

"We are both teachers and are very impressed with the stimulating, creative learning environment at Masie Poppins. More importantly, the quality of the emotional and social support is very high. Our son has been happier and more confident since starting at the nursery."
Margaret Clare FreemanParent of nursery founded and directed by Yasmin Darling
"We couldn't have imagined better childcare for our son, who attended from 13 months to two years old. So much thought and care goes into every aspect from activities through to meals. Our son has a dairy allergy which was totally catered for; in fact, on the days he attended, all the children went dairy free! The love and care not only received by our son but also for us as parents was truly outstanding. We left London and were so sad we could not take you all with us. A great role model for childcare everywhere."
Katherine O'HalloranParent of nursery founded and directed by Yasmin Darling
"By far the best nursery in the area. My son absolutely loves coming here! Everything is so well thought out, lots of time spent in the garden and the food is nutritious and delicious. I don't have any concerns whatsoever sending my son as I know he is having the best time! Have recommended to all my friends. Also Maisie (Yasmin) is so great and clearly cares hugely for the children's wellbeing and development."
StephanieParent of nursery founded and directed by Yasmin Darling
"I could not rate this place more highly. My son has been attending for around nine months and he has absolutely flourished. Having been at home for almost 18 months due to Covid, I was worried that at three years old he would struggle to settle, but the staff went above and beyond to welcome him. At first he was very shy but he has slowly and steadily become incredibly confident, happy and sociable, all thanks to the staff's wonderful attitude. He is constantly learning and developing and will be more than ready for school by next Sept. The team also really listen and take things like safeguarding, hygiene etc very seriously, always looking out for everyone and always happy to answer any query from parents 24/7. Honestly the best thing we ever did sending him here. Thanks so much for being so wonderful!"
Laura OmerodParent of nursery founded and directed by Yasmin Darling

Named one of the 'Early Years Voices' by FAMLY

FAMLY is an Early Childhood Platform, which collaborates with change makers, activists and prominent voices within the Early Years' community to provide helpful resources for families.

After being approached by FAMLY, I wrote several articles regarding leadership, positive relationships, inclusion and wellbeing. You'll find my blog posts and article features below.
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Yasmin's profile on FAMLY.

Fancy a free webinar? You can find my one-hour session for FAMLY by clicking here. In it, I cover topics such as the importance of having an authentic vision for your whole setting’s curriculum, communication strategies to enable a shared understanding among staff and families and the benefits of ongoing meaningful CPD for all staff.

Watch my free webinar for FAMLY by clicking the image above.

Featured in and writer for PACEY: Childcare Professional Magazine

PACEY: Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years is a charity and membership organisation based in London and working in England and Wales. A standard-setting organisation, it promotes best practice and supports childcare professionals to deliver high standards of care and learning. I feel proud to have been featured in and have written for their magazine, Childcare Professional. You can find my articles by clicking on the images below.
Yasmin (nickname Maisie) writes about the importance of healthy eating in Childcare Professional: Boosting Body Confidence, Spring 2017.
Yasmin (nickname Maisie), pictured to the right, is featured in PACEY's 'A guide for parents - Childcare: Make Right Choice.'

Find more of my educational articles, blog posts and features by clicking here.

Fees for educational consultancy

*Book in for your free 20 minute Discovery call

    Voluntary sector day rate:£700

    Private/corporate sector day rate:£900

    State sector day rate:£800

WFH/In Person *travel costs are added to invoice, (I do not drive and am happy to take public transport where possible.)

*Fees are calculated at a flat rate for all work carried out in zoom meetings, emails, research, prep and any other consultancy work undertaken in all forms.

*Fees rise annually in September, Last update: 1st September