Education specialist, SEND practitioner and mentor, Amy champions children and young people who don't fit the traditional mould. With hands-on experience in inclusive teaching, advocacy and alternative provision, she works alongside families and schools to secure the right support, and helps every learner find a path where they can genuinely thrive.
Founder · Different Path Education Support
Meet Amy Louise Herbert
Education Specialist | SEND Practitioner | Educator | Mentor | Educational Leader
Founder of Different Path Education Support
I help learners who haven’t been served by a ‘one size fits all’ system to rebuild their confidence, re-engage with learning and achieve real, measurable progress. With experience spanning mainstream primary, early years, alternative provision and custodial education, I bring a rare breadth of expertise – and a firm belief that education should fit the learner, not the other way around.
About Me
I am Amy Herbert, founder of Different Path. As a specialist education professional, I offer extensive experience in Special Educational Needs, educational leadership and mentoring. Having worked across so many settings, I understand the complex barriers that can stop individuals reaching their potential – and I know how to remove them. Every programme I deliver is flexible, person-centred and built around the learner.
My Academic Background
I hold a BA (Hons) in Teaching and Learning (2:1) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology from Brunel University London. This gives me a strong understanding of human behaviour, child development and the psychological factors that shape learning. By combining academic knowledge with years of hands-on practice, I provide support that is both educationally rigorous and genuinely empathetic.
A Collaborative Approach
Success happens when everyone works together. I work directly with learners to build skills, collaborate with families to ensure consistency at home, and partner with schools and local authorities to deliver expert alternative provision that meets statutory requirements.
Teaching and Assessment
With HLTA status, a Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training and a Level 3 Assessor qualification, I am fully equipped to plan, deliver and evaluate bespoke learning programmes. From curriculum adaptation and resource design to tracking progress in confidence, communication and social engagement, I make sure every learner’s growth is recognised.
Leadership Experience
As a former Deputy Education Manager and Nursery Manager, I bring high professional standards and operational integrity to every engagement. My role as a school governor adds a further layer of accountability, so you can be confident the service you receive is structured, safe and aligned with best practice.
Specialist SEND Support
I specialise in supporting learners with Autism, ADHD, dyslexia and social, emotional and mental health needs. Using visual supports, sensory adjustments and structured routines, I create environments where neurodivergent learners thrive. My approach is always strengths-based – focusing on what a learner can do, and building from there.
EHCP & Individual Planning
I am highly experienced in delivering provision set out in Education, Health and Care Plans. Working closely with families and professionals, I set realistic objectives, identify barriers to learning and track progress – so every session is purposeful and centred on the learner’s unique journey.
Alternative Provision
For learners who have struggled in mainstream settings due to anxiety or school avoidance, I offer a bridge back to engagement. By building trust and rapport in a low-pressure environment, I help students rebuild their self-esteem and rediscover a love of learning.
Rehabilitation Education
My work in prison education has strengthened my commitment to second chances. I provide mentoring and practical educational support for adults moving on from custody, helping them develop the literacy, numeracy and employability skills they need to build a positive future.
Wellbeing and Mentoring
Mental health sits at the heart of learning. Drawing on my Mental Health First Aid training, I support learners experiencing anxiety or low self-esteem. While I do not provide clinical therapy, I make sure every learning space I create is emotionally safe, predictable and supportive of personal growth.
Professional Skills
Safeguarding is fundamental to my practice. I hold an enhanced DBS check, have completed Designated Safeguarding Lead training, and work with strict professional boundaries and confidentiality – so learners, families and organisations can trust that every session is secure.
Holistic Care Background
My background includes Level 2 training in Dementia Care and significant experience in the care sector. This has shaped the dignity, patience and respect for individual autonomy that underpin everything I do.
Developing Independence
My goal is always to empower learners to succeed on their own terms. Alongside academic progress, I help build the confidence, self-advocacy and practical life skills that lead to lasting independence.
My Qualifications and Training
Higher Education
- BA (Hons) Teaching and Learning (2:1)
- PGCert Psychology (Brunel University London)
Education and Assessment
- Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) Status Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training Level 3 Award in Education and Training Level 3 Specialist Support Diploma Level 4 Leadership and Management (in progress)
SEND and Behaviour
- Level 2 Autism Awareness
- Level 2 Challenging Behaviour
- Understanding EHCPs and Individualised Provision
Mentoring, Mental Health and Care
- Mental Health First Aid Level 2 Dementia Care Professional Mentoring Skills Level 2 Mentoring
Safeguarding and Safety
- Designated Safeguarding Lead Training Level 3 Specialist Support Diploma Food Safety and Hygiene (Levels 1 & 2) Health and Safety in the Workplace Enhanced DBS Check
Why I Founded Different Path
I saw too many individuals falling through the cracks of a ‘one size fits all’ system. Different Path was created to offer a specialist alternative, where the curriculum is built around the person – not the other way around. If you would like to discuss how I can support you, your child or your organisation, please get in touch for a consultation. Together, we can find the right path forward.
Our Mission
“Education should adapt to the individual, not the individual to the system.”
EDUCATOR · SPECIALIST TUTOR · CHILDREN'S AUTHOR
Different Path Stories
Hello, I'm Amy. As an educator and specialist tutor, I have spent my career supporting children who learn and see the world in their own unique ways. Different Path Stories grew from that work.
About Different Path Stories
An inclusive series of children's books featuring characters who think, feel and learn differently, helping young readers understand themselves and others with kindness.
Our Aims
- Help children see themselves reflected in stories
- Build empathy and understanding among peers
- Give parents and educators a gentle way to start conversations
The Books
AVAILABLE NOW
Bix Needed a Break
The first Different Path Story, following Bix and the importance of taking a break when feelings get big.
COMING SOON
Bix Has ADHD
Bix returns in a story exploring ADHD with warmth and understanding.
COMING SOON
Bex Has Autism
Meet Bex in a gentle story celebrating autistic children and the way they experience the world.
Future Topics
The series will continue to grow, exploring more neurodivergent experiences and everyday challenges so that every child can find a story that speaks to them.
“Every child deserves to see themselves in a story. I write so that children on a different path know their path is a good one.” — Amy