Rachael Dickens

Rachael works behind the scenes at Heads Up Therapies in our admin department. Rachael attended Leeds Metropolitan University, where she achieved a 2:1 in BA (QTS) Primary Education.

She has a varied work background, starting off her career in 2003 as a teacher at a school in Bolton, where she taught for 13 years. After having her children, Rachael decided to do some supply work, to spend more time with her children. Since then, Rachael has worked for Autizma as an administrative assistant. Additionally, she worked closely with the trainers at Autizma to provide advice, support and training to those who parent or work with autistic individuals. Rachael was able to provide lived experience to the parents and carers as she is also a carer for her own daughter, who is autistic.

Rachael then returned to a school for a short period as a higher-level teaching assistant

and worked for an agency tutoring children who were unable to access school for a variety of reasons. Rachael is passionate about providing opportunities for all, no matter what the barriers or difficulties.

Rachael moved on to Henshaw’s charity in 2020 as a children and young people’s enablement officer. She was responsible for providing opportunities for children and young people with a visual impairment to live a varied and full life.

In 2021, Rachael went back to work in education to work as a SEND teaching assistant to work as a 1:1 in a local school. Rachael provided a bespoke curriculum for a child with additional needs, whilst also providing administrative support for Heads Up Therapies.

Rachael says: “I was delighted when Ryan asked me to join the team. I have seen the wonderful work that Ryan and the team does, and I am dedicated to supporting them to continue to provide opportunities to live full and enriched lives. I feel my background in education, and specialism in additional needs, complements the work I do at Heads Up Therapies.”

In April 2022, Rachael was tempted away from school to work with Heads Up Therapies. In her spare time, Rachael enjoys any type of crafts but, particularly, papercutting.