Cara Huckstep
Neurodiversity Coach

BA (Hons), QTS, PGCE

Cara brings over eighteen years of experience in special educational needs, having worked as both a teacher in a specialist school for young people aged 11–19 and, for the past ten years, as an Autism Advisory Teacher witin a local authority.

In her advisory role, Cara supported more than twenty mainstream primary schools, working alongside SENCOs, teachers, and support staff to develop inclusive classrooms and adapt the curriculum to meet the needs of autistic pupils. Her work included individual child observations, tailored advice, and the development of SEN support plans, as well as delivering a wide range of autism-specific training and workshops for whole-school staff. She also worked closely with children and their families at key transition points - such as starting Reception or moving to secondary school - and provided targeted support for those at risk of exclusion to help prevent placement breakdowns.

Cara has extensive experience in providing post-diagnostic support to families, including delivering parent programmes and offering guidance on how best to nurture and empower autistic children and young people. She is passionate about supporting neurodivergent individuals to reach their potential across academic, social, and emotional domains. Adopting a neuro-affirming approach, Cara focuses on helping young people embrace their autistic identity while enabling parents and professionals to better understand what it means to be neurodivergent. She has a particular interest in autism and ADHD in girls and women, especially in relation to identity development and its impact on mental health.

Cara covers an area covering parts of North London and East London, Hertfordshire and Essex, including but not limited to Enfield, Harringay, Southgate, Winchmore Hill, Cockfosters, Barnet, Potters Bar, Cuffley, Chingford, Epping, Woodford and Walthamstow.