MEL NICHOLLS

FOUNDER

Mel is the founder and chief advisor for MN Well Child Support. As an experienced child development practitioner and mother of two, Mel understands the challenges in raising children in a modern context and brings to the service her own empathetic non judgemental approach.

Mel has a degree in Child Development and Learning, and has applied that knowledge in a number of specialist child settings for over 15 years. Her experience includes working with a wide range of special educational needs, as well as emotional, social and mental health issues. Mel has completed certified training in the following specialist areas :

  • Autism
  • Mental Health and wellbeing
  • Attachment Disorders
  • Self Harm
  • Radicalisation
  • Safeguarding
  • Counselling
  • Online Safety

For many years Mel has worked as a specialist advisor supporting schools and specialist settings to best meet the needs of the most vulnerable and challenging children. Her advice has been sought by primary and high schools, when seeking to understand children who exhibit a range of needs. Mel is experienced in developing strategies for the following issues :

  • Low Self Esteem
  • Eating Disorders
  • Self Harm
  • School Phobia
  • Challenging Behaviour
  • Anxiety / Depression
  • Compulsive traits  behaviours
  • Undiagnosed Autistic traits
  • Aggression
  • Substance misuse
  • Friendship issues
Mel has worked across all age ranges from 4 – 16 and has worked in a number of multi-agency teams. She is experienced and confident in working with children and families who have complex and multi-layered needs, as well as those who simply need a bit of additional support with a single issue. 
 
Mel’s approach is founded on understanding the context for the child and building trust. She is committed to building a trusting, appropriate and safe relationship with the children she works with, as a foundation for being able to effect change. Mel is fluent in a wide range of different strategic approaches and adapts a range of resources to best meet the needs of the individual. Once a successful set of strategies has been tested she is then able to effectively communicate and train these to parents so that positive gains can be embedded and built upon.