Meet our team

Meet Joanne


Hi, I’m Joanne — a social worker with an MA in Social Work and a foundation in Play Therapy. I’ve always been drawn to supporting children and families. Over the years, I’ve worked in residential care, housing projects, and schools, where I helped create and deliver a domestic abuse prevention programme.

I’m self-diagnosed AuDHD, and my family is a lovely mix of autism and ADHD. Supporting my children through their mental health challenges has taught me so much about neurodiversity, brain development, and how differently — and beautifully — we all experience the world.

I’m passionate about helping families recognise their strengths, build positive communication, and take confident next steps forward. I believe that understanding ourselves and each other is the foundation for real connection and growth.

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Family Avenues was set up in 2025. Find out more about each of us below.

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Meet Louise

Hi, I’m Louise

I’m a social worker with 18 years of experience working with families. I’m passionate about seeing each family as a whole and drawing on their strengths to empower and guide them through challenging times.

I’m also a mum to two incredible neurodivergent children. The learning journey I’ve been on as their mum has made me a very different parent to the one I imagined I’d be — and to the one I started out as. I know there are times that feel completely overwhelming, when your world seems to shrink and the future feels uncertain.

Every family I support is met with compassion and understanding, wherever they are on their own journey. I truly believe every child — and every family — can thrive with the right approaches and support.

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Meet Paula

Hi, I’m Paula.

I’ve been a Children and Families as a Social Worker for over 25 years, most of that time within a crisis team. I’ve worked with an organisation supporting autistic girls and women. I am also Mum to an AuDHD teen.

I believe families often hold the answers to change within themselves, and my role as a Social Worker is to help them recognise their own resilience and ability to make positive changes.

I’m neurodiverse myself, and I particularly enjoy working with neurodivergent parents — supporting them to understand the unique strengths and challenges this brings to parenting.

Jo, Louise, and I have been friends and colleagues for over 13 years. We’ve supported each other through our own children’s diagnoses, and this has inspired us to create Family Avenues — combining our professional expertise and personal experiences to offer a truly unique service for families.


Contact us

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