About us
Why Aspire SEND CIC exists.
The story behind our work, and the people driving it forward.
Our story
Where it began.
Aspire SEND CIC was founded by Nadia Abudulkadir after watching, up close, what the transition into adulthood can look like for a young person with SEND.
Nadia's brother is autistic, and seeing him move from education towards independence showed her how much of a difference the right support — and the wrong support — can make, especially in the years when formal help so often falls away.
That experience shaped the organisation from the outset. Nadia holds an MSc in Autism Studies and has spent over five years supporting young people with SEND, bringing both professional expertise and personal understanding to the work. Aspire SEND CIC exists specifically for the post-16 transition — working alongside young people, families, schools, colleges, Family Hubs and local authorities, rather than trying to replace any of them.
Why we exist
Too many young people with SEND leave school without a clear next step. We're here to bridge that gap.
Mission
To support young people aged 16–25 with SEND to build confidence, develop independence and prepare for a successful transition into adulthood, education and employment.
Vision
A world where every young person with SEND has the confidence, skills and support they need to thrive in adulthood — regardless of their background or the complexity of their needs.
Purpose
We bridge the gap between education and adult life for young people with SEND, providing relationship-based, personalised support that complements existing services and works in partnership with families, schools, colleges, Family Hubs and local authorities.
Our people
Leadership & governance.
Nadia Abudulkadir
As Director, Nadia leads Aspire SEND CIC's work day to day — building the relationships with schools, colleges and Family Hubs that make each young person's transition feel joined-up rather than disjointed. She stays hands-on with every family, and is now growing the team to reach more young people across London.
Rachael Reid
Rachael is a senior commercial lawyer with over 15 years' experience advising boards and executive teams, including as General Counsel and board director. She is the parent of a child with SEND and a former SEND charity trustee, and brings strong governance and leadership experience to our board.
Ramandeep (Ray) Singh Jhattu
Ray is a healthcare executive with over 20 years' experience in operational and strategic leadership across the NHS and private healthcare. He brings extensive charity board experience and a personal passion for supporting young people with SEND through pivotal moments in their lives.
Want to know more about how we work?
Get in touch, or read about our governance and how we keep young people safe.