Image of Joy Grimsby, Makaton Tutor.

Joy Grimsby

Nurturing confidence, independence, and a love of learning

I am a highly skilled tutor and mentor with extensive experience supporting children and young people in alternative provision, SEND settings, and mainstream education. My work centres on building trust, fostering emotional resilience, and helping each learner discover their strengths in a way that feels safe, empowering, and genuinely enjoyable.

Over the years, I’ve supported students with a wide range of additional needs — including autism, ADHD, SEMH, anxiety, and communication differences — always tailoring my approach to the individual. I believe that meaningful progress happens when a child feels understood, respected, and encouraged, and I bring patience, creativity, and compassion to every session.

What I Offer

  • 1:1 tutoring tailored to each learner’s pace, interests, and goals

  • Specialist mentoring for emotional regulation, confidence-building, and social development

  • SEND‑informed support, grounded in experience across alternative provision and specialist schools

  • Clear communication with families, schools, and local authorities

  • A calm, nurturing presence that helps children feel safe, valued, and capable

My Approach

I combine structure with warmth, using relationship‑based practice to help students re-engage with learning and develop independence. Whether I’m supporting academic progress, emotional wellbeing, or life skills, my focus is always on the whole child — their voice, their needs, and their potential.

Who I Work With

I support children and young people who may be:

  • Neurodivergent

  • Experiencing anxiety or school avoidance

  • In alternative provision or transitioning between settings

  • Needing a consistent, trusted adult to guide their learning and development

Why Families Choose Me

Parents and professionals describe me as calm, reliable, and deeply committed to the young people I work with. I advocate strongly for what each child needs, and I take pride in creating a space where they can grow in confidence, curiosity, and self-belief.

Qualifications & Training

I bring a strong blend of professional training, specialist SEND knowledge, and hands‑on experience supporting children and young people with diverse needs. My qualifications reflect a commitment to safe, ethical, and neurodiversity‑affirming practice.

Core Qualifications

  • HLTA (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) Status

  • Counselling Skills with Children and Young People

  • CACHE Level 3: Children’s Social and Emotional Development

Communication & Language Training

  • ELKLAN Speech and Language Support

  • NHS SALT – Speaking and Listening Together

  • ICAN Communication Support Training

Neurodiversity & Specialist Approaches

  • LOVASS Tutoring

  • Behaviour for Learning

  • North Somerset Pyramid Project (Social & Emotional Development)

  • Emotional Based School Avoidance

  • Neurodiversity Affirming Practice

Safeguarding & Wellbeing

  • Child Protection Training

  • Paediatric First Aid

Makaton - using sign to help with communication

  • I have been a qualified, licensed Makaton tutor for over 20 years, and my experience with using sign to help with communication stretches back to 1985, supporting both adults and children. My passion for communication began when a close friend had a daughter with Down syndrome, and I became deeply involved in helping her develop her early communication skills.

    Over the years, this grew into a broad and practical understanding of Total Communication, and I have continually developed my skills to support as many individuals as possible. I have worked with a wide range of children and adults, achieving meaningful outcomes such as helping parents communicate with non‑verbal toddlers, supporting primary‑aged children to read using symbols, and enabling adult carers to communicate more effectively with the people they support.