How Frances can help you
Frances Akinde’s work is about transformation, not just training or consultancy. She creates space for honest reflection, challenges inequities, and empowers individuals and organisations to build genuinely inclusive cultures. Whether working with school leaders, SENCOs, teachers or students, her services are rooted in lived experience, equity, and the belief that education can drive lasting change. Frances supports others to lead with purpose, act with integrity, and move beyond box-ticking to create environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Her approach is compassionate yet uncompromising—designed to create meaningful, sustainable impact at every level of the system.
Public Speaking
As a charismatic, keynote speaker Frances is able to tactfully discuss difficult concepts around race and SEND that will leave your audience laughing, crying and most importantly thinking about how to improve the life chances for the children in our care and beyond. She will challenge your audience to reflect and is able to encourage them to think around issues such as AI, assistive technology, being an ally, anti-racism, inclusion, diversity, neurodivergence and anti-bullying. She draws on her wealth of experience as an educator, SEND expert, neurodivergent Black female leader and mother of 5 boys.
Mentoring
Frances Akinde offers powerful, reflective mentoring for SENCOs—especially those working in large, complex school environments or navigating racial inequity. Her sessions support SENCOs to set boundaries, recognise their worth, and consider new leadership opportunities.
One mentee described feeling burnt out, underpaid, and overwhelmed before working with Frances. Through their sessions, she rebuilt her confidence, established boundaries, and began to see herself as a professional deserving more. “Frances came to feel like my professional aunty—validating my feelings, fixing my crown, and guiding me forward.”
Warm yet direct, Frances helps SENCOs step into their power and soar.
Workplace Support
Frances Akinde is committed to ensuring that neurodivergent individuals receive the recognition, support, and opportunities they deserve to thrive. Drawing on her background in special education and leadership, she understands that neurodiversity is too often overlooked—resulting in neurodivergent children and adults facing greater barriers to success than their neurotypical peers.
Frances works to change this narrative by offering tailored guidance and support that empowers neurodivergent individuals to reach their full potential. She develops initiatives and workshops that promote awareness of neurodiversity, encourage inclusive practices, and challenge the stigma that too often surrounds neurodivergence. Her approach includes supporting individuals to advocate for their needs, both in educational settings and in the workplace, ensuring they are equipped with the tools and confidence to make their voices heard.
At the heart of Frances’ work is the belief that neurodiversity should not only be accommodated—it should be celebrated.
Anti-Racism Training
Frances Akinde is an experienced anti-racism coach who supports schools and organisations to build truly inclusive environments for all students and staff. She provides expert guidance to help institutions meet their obligations around equity, diversity, and inclusion—fostering systemic change that benefits the entire community.
With a background as a Black, female school leader and SEND specialist, Frances brings both professional insight and powerful lived experience to her work. She understands the challenges of navigating leadership within systems not designed with everyone in mind, and she uses this perspective to support others to succeed, challenge bias, and lead with integrity and impact.
Assistive Technology Training
Assistive Technology (AT) training empowers educators, support staff, and learners to use tools that enhance accessibility and independence. From screen readers and speech-to-text software to communication devices and learning apps, AT can transform the educational experience for students with diverse needs. Effective training ensures that staff understand how to implement these tools confidently and appropriately, tailoring support to each learner’s strengths. AT training also promotes inclusion, helping schools meet their legal and ethical obligations under the Equality Act. With the right guidance, assistive technology becomes more than a tool—it becomes a gateway to learning, communication, and equal opportunity.
Content Writing
Frances Akinde is an accomplished content writer whose work is rooted in lived experience, educational expertise, and a commitment to inclusion and equity. She is the author of Be An Ally, Not a Bystander, a practical guide for empowering primary-aged children to take positive action in their schools and communities. Frances is currently working on her second book, which explores the intersection of race, identity, and leadership in education. In addition to her books, she has written numerous thought-provoking articles on inclusion, SEND, anti-racism, and leadership—many of which can be found in the ‘Read’ section of this website.
Workplace Adjustment Assessments
Frances Akinde offers Workplace Adjustment Assessments as a tailored service to support organisations in creating inclusive, accessible, and legally compliant working environments. Drawing on her expertise in SEND, inclusion, and leadership, Frances works closely with individuals and employers to identify reasonable adjustments that enable staff—particularly those who are neurodivergent, disabled, or managing long-term health conditions—to thrive in their roles.
Her assessments are person-centred, practical, and aligned with the Equality Act 2010. Recommendations may include adjustments to workload, environment, communication styles, or technology use. Frances ensures that every assessment is followed by clear, actionable guidance that benefits both employee wellbeing and organisational success.
Group Workshops
Frances Akinde offers bespoke group workshops designed to meet the specific needs of each school or organisation. With a focus on inclusion, anti-racism, and leadership, her workshops are grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience. Whether supporting staff to develop inclusive classroom practices, unpack unconscious bias, or build confidence around SEND, Frances creates a safe, reflective space for learning and growth. Each session is tailored to the context of the setting, ensuring relevance, impact, and long-term change. Her workshops are engaging, practical, and empowering—equipping teams with the tools they need to foster equity and belonging in their everyday practice.
School workshops for students
Based on the principles in her book Be an Ally, Not a Bystander, Frances Akinde offers impactful school workshops for students that empower them to recognise injustice, practise empathy, and take meaningful action. These interactive sessions are designed to help children understand allyship in age-appropriate ways, using stories (including Bannab, the Ally-Sheep!), discussions, and creative activities to explore themes such as inclusion, kindness, identity, and standing up for others.
Frances creates a safe, engaging environment where pupils can reflect, ask questions, and build the confidence to be active allies in their schools and communities. Each workshop is tailored to the needs, age range, and context of the setting, supporting schools in developing a culture of respect, equity, and positive action.
