Bringing the body into conversations about how we learn, work, care and connect
I am an experienced education and development professional with more than 25 years' experience across education, curriculum and pastoral leadership, research, consultancy, learning and resource development, organisational development and community work.
My specialist expertise includes neuroinclusive, relational and embodied approaches, with a particular interest in how people experience learning, regulation, relationships, environments and belonging.
I work across education, health and social care with organisations, professionals, communities and individuals to turn research, lived experience and diverse ways of knowing into practical resources, learning, training and meaningful change.
My work includes
Education & Learning
Curriculum, teaching, learner support, professional learning and facilitation.
Research & Co-production
Collaborative research, lived-experience engagement, evidence translation and practice development.
Resources & Product Development
Toolkits, digital resources, learning materials, courses and practical frameworks.
Inclusive Practice & Culture
Neuroinclusive, relational, trauma-informed and embodied approaches to learning, wellbeing and organisational culture.
Consultancy, Training & Facilitation
Bespoke consultancy, workshops, training, coaching, mentoring and reflective learning.
A relational and practical approach
I am interested in what becomes possible when we look beyond individual behaviour and consider the whole person, their body, nervous system, relationships, environment, context and culture.
My approach combines research, professional experience and lived experience to create work that is practical, compassionate, evidence-informed and grounded in real-world contexts.
My specialist expertise includes neuroinclusive, relational and embodied approaches, with a particular interest in how people experience learning, regulation, relationships, environments and belonging.
I work across education, health and social care with organisations, professionals, communities and individuals to turn research, lived experience and diverse ways of knowing into practical resources, learning, training and meaningful change.
My work includes
Education & Learning
Curriculum, teaching, learner support, professional learning and facilitation.
Research & Co-production
Collaborative research, lived-experience engagement, evidence translation and practice development.
Resources & Product Development
Toolkits, digital resources, learning materials, courses and practical frameworks.
Inclusive Practice & Culture
Neuroinclusive, relational, trauma-informed and embodied approaches to learning, wellbeing and organisational culture.
Consultancy, Training & Facilitation
Bespoke consultancy, workshops, training, coaching, mentoring and reflective learning.
A relational and practical approach
I am interested in what becomes possible when we look beyond individual behaviour and consider the whole person, their body, nervous system, relationships, environment, context and culture.
My approach combines research, professional experience and lived experience to create work that is practical, compassionate, evidence-informed and grounded in real-world contexts.
Professional Biography
Kay Louise Aldred is an education and development professional, consultant, researcher, facilitator and published author, working at the intersection of learning, inclusion, neurodiversity, relational practice and organisational development.
With more than 25 years' experience across education, curriculum and pastoral leadership, research, counselling, coaching, consultancy and organisational development, Kay brings together academic, professional and lived experience to support more inclusive, relational and sustainable approaches to learning, working and caring.
She currently works as an Associate and Development Lead at Neurodiverse Connection, contributing to commissioned, tendered and grant-funded projects across education, health and social care. Her work includes research, co-production, training, organisational development, EDIB, learning design and the creation of practical digital and written resources.
Kay has contributed to projects with NHS programmes, universities, charities and professional organisations, including work with York St John University, Durham University and RESPECT. Her work focuses on translating research, lived experience and diverse forms of knowledge into practical learning, resources, training and organisational improvements.
Her specialist expertise includes neuroinclusive, relational, nervous-system-informed and embodied approaches. She is particularly interested in how bodies, relationships, emotions, environments and systems shape communication, regulation, learning, participation and belonging.
Kay's professional background includes 20 years in secondary and sixth-form education, including teaching, curriculum leadership and Head of Year responsibilities. She has extensive experience of pastoral leadership, learner support, safeguarding, curriculum and assessment, alongside subsequent work in research, consultancy, coaching, facilitation and organisational development.
She holds a First-Class BA (Hons) in Theology from Durham University, an MA in Theology and Religious Studies, a PGCE and a Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling. She is also a trained coach, holistic practitioner and somatic educator.
Areas of focus
Education, learning and curriculum development
Research, co-production and evidence translation
Product, toolkit and resource development
Neuroinclusive and inclusive practice
Relational, nervous-system-informed and embodied approaches
Reflective practice, facilitation and professional learning
Organisational culture and development
Training, consultancy, coaching and mentoring
Kay is also the creator and facilitator of the NdC Neurodivergent Wellbeing Approach Course, bringing together evidence-informed and trauma-informed approaches to support diverse needs.
She has created and contributed to practical frameworks, toolkits, courses and learning resources designed to support more compassionate, accessible and human-centred practice across health, education and social care.
Her work is grounded in research, professional practice, reflective inquiry and lived experience, with a commitment to moving beyond deficit-based approaches towards cultures where difference is understood, valued and supported.
With more than 25 years' experience across education, curriculum and pastoral leadership, research, counselling, coaching, consultancy and organisational development, Kay brings together academic, professional and lived experience to support more inclusive, relational and sustainable approaches to learning, working and caring.
She currently works as an Associate and Development Lead at Neurodiverse Connection, contributing to commissioned, tendered and grant-funded projects across education, health and social care. Her work includes research, co-production, training, organisational development, EDIB, learning design and the creation of practical digital and written resources.
Kay has contributed to projects with NHS programmes, universities, charities and professional organisations, including work with York St John University, Durham University and RESPECT. Her work focuses on translating research, lived experience and diverse forms of knowledge into practical learning, resources, training and organisational improvements.
Her specialist expertise includes neuroinclusive, relational, nervous-system-informed and embodied approaches. She is particularly interested in how bodies, relationships, emotions, environments and systems shape communication, regulation, learning, participation and belonging.
Kay's professional background includes 20 years in secondary and sixth-form education, including teaching, curriculum leadership and Head of Year responsibilities. She has extensive experience of pastoral leadership, learner support, safeguarding, curriculum and assessment, alongside subsequent work in research, consultancy, coaching, facilitation and organisational development.
She holds a First-Class BA (Hons) in Theology from Durham University, an MA in Theology and Religious Studies, a PGCE and a Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling. She is also a trained coach, holistic practitioner and somatic educator.
Areas of focus
Education, learning and curriculum development
Research, co-production and evidence translation
Product, toolkit and resource development
Neuroinclusive and inclusive practice
Relational, nervous-system-informed and embodied approaches
Reflective practice, facilitation and professional learning
Organisational culture and development
Training, consultancy, coaching and mentoring
Kay is also the creator and facilitator of the NdC Neurodivergent Wellbeing Approach Course, bringing together evidence-informed and trauma-informed approaches to support diverse needs.
She has created and contributed to practical frameworks, toolkits, courses and learning resources designed to support more compassionate, accessible and human-centred practice across health, education and social care.
Her work is grounded in research, professional practice, reflective inquiry and lived experience, with a commitment to moving beyond deficit-based approaches towards cultures where difference is understood, valued and supported.
