About us - Nudge

Paula Cooney

Paula joined as an Education Expert after working in the care sector in a variety of roles from Residential children's homes to Forensic Learning Disabilities and Mental Health rehabilitation units. Paula works daily as a Nudge Case Manager ensuring the young people at Nudge receive the best service possible through supporting our fantastic Education Experts and Nudge Minds Practitioners, and working with all involved in the young person's care to ensure they can thrive and achieve a life worth living.
Paula also spends time training our practitioners and core team in Crisis Prevention safety Intervention to help ensure everyone at Nudge can keep our young people and themselves safe when our young people are feeling distressed.

In her own words "I was that young person who disengaged from education and followed an unsteady path for a while and as soon as I completed my induction I knew I had to be a part of Nudge. The whole team works with such passion and empathy to achieve the goal of - No child left behind."

Frankie Muggleton (they/them):

Frankie joined Nudge as an Education Expert, specialising in working with LGBT young people and neurodivergent students.
Frankie is a qualified English teacher and has worked in both SEND and mainstream settings in Brighton and Hove. They also have an MA in Transgender Studies and have devoted much of their life to community development.
Frankie is currently doing maternity cover for Amy Wayne as a Regional Lead in the South. Frankie supports education experts and minds practitioners, leads a team of senior practitioners, trains staff members, and ensures that staff and students receive the support that they need to thrive.

In Frankies' own words “As a neurodivergent queer person, I understand first hand what it feels like to be on the margins of the education system - both as a student and an educator. Working as a Regional Lead at Nudge allows me to advocate for all of the students who feel like they don’t fit into the system, making sure that they feel nurtured by staff who understand them, and fostering the belief that they deserve a life worth living.”

Emily Gowdy

As a case manager, Emily ensures that interventions are running effectively to best support our young people. She is always available to help with any accommodation that needs to be made. Her career working in Education in the USA, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have given her the opportunity to see how different environments affect young people's experiences and how to best support their journey towards a life worth living.

In her own words "I believe in a mission to support each individual child for who they are and on an individual basis. Every child deserves the chance to excel in life and to have the support in place to do so. I have studied and worked to eradicate biases in education and to help provide all children with quality education and support services. With Nudge this is possible and I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of a team who dedicates everything to supporting young people."

Michelle Driskel

Michelle joined us as a case manager following a long career within the early years sector as a Nursery Area Manager.
Michelle has worked within a variety of educational settings in specialist, mainstream and private education.

In her own words "I am proud to be a part of the team at nudge education. To work with a group of like minded professionals who really do go above and beyond to improve the lives of the most chronically disengaged students. The pride you feel when a student transitions on to their next chapter in life is the best feeling!"

Sian Stevens

Sian joined us in the field, working as an EE/NMP, before becoming the first in a Senior role. She had shown an attention to detail with mental health support upon her interventions and in particular PDA. With a history of therapeutic youth support work and Radio presenting, communication is one of her strong points. Sian worked closely with Hannah in understanding the Minds service and now maintains and grows the service. She oversees all Minds cases, assists with referrals, offers training to those under her wing and supports the Regional Lead and Case management teams. Ultimately, she is an advocate for the Minds service, ensuring quality and understanding throughout.

In her own words "I’m very lucky indeed to head up the Minds service in Hannahs absence.. My priority is to ensure quality and growth ( in that order) across the Minds service. Along with being an advocate for the importance of Nudge Minds support, unimpeded by educational stressors. Young people's poor mental health is a real pandemic and Nudge Minds creates a unique and impactful space to create a vaccine! My true passion is communication and it is the intricacies of this that can make all the difference for a young person. They are so in tune with our tones, speeds, bodies and word choices when we speak. At Nudge I feel we can get this right and allow for the biggest jump back into a Life Worth Living".

Meet Phoebe

Phoebe has always felt inspired to make a difference in the lives of young people and children, and resonates deeply with those who are experiencing adverse childhoods. Phoebe has dedicated much of her life to supporting bereaved children and recognises how so many of our children, here at Nudge Education, are bereaved in more ways than one. She is determined to help in making all that we do reach far and wide, so that no child goes unseen or unheard.

Phoebe not only works closely with Diego, Brian and the Senior Leadership Team to ensure that all runs smoothly behinds the scenes, but her people-centred approach as meant she is also incredibly devoted to taking care of our practitioners within her People Hub.

"I couldn't be more proud to be in a team quite like this one. Imagine having a room full of compassionate, devoted, empathetic and big hearted beings, with the same determination to make a change - that's this one!"

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 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 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 the Regional Lead for the North East of England, providing support for Education Experts and Minds Practitioners across the region as well as leading the team of Senior practitioners. Charlotte worked as an English Teacher and Director of Progress in a secondary school. After completing an action research project with UCL 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. The children and young adults we work with 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 Claire 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 Lizzie

Lizzie is our Service Lead for Nudge Education and ultimately oversees all of our interventions delivered across the UK to ensure that each provision is meeting the needs of each young person and all the interventions are high quality. Lizzie is supported by the team of Regional Leads and the Case Management Team. Lizzie is a qualified teacher who has worked in a variety of educational settings, both mainstream and alternative. She initially started working for Nudge in the early days of the company as an Education Expert and her role has developed with the growth of the company.

In her own words, “During my time of working in education, I have witnessed how the school environment and the education system do not work for every student. Being part of a company that 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 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”

Passionate about helping young people

Meet the team

Engaging, compassionate, resilient professionals