“Seeing the system fail in real time was enough.
It lit a fire—for change, for creativity, for something better.”
—Sean Rafter, Co-Founder
1in7 started with one child, one diagnosis—and the realisation that the system wasn’t built for him.
That experience didn’t just leave a mark. It sparked insight, action, and a commitment to build something better—for him, and for the many others still being overlooked.
From that spark came something bigger: a refusal to accept the old way, and the belief that with creativity and collaboration, we could help build something far better, real-world tools that challenge the status quo and reimagine what education can and should be.
Who We Are
We are a UK charity on a mission to solve systemic challenges, not to fix children. At our core, we blend neuroscience insights, AI innovation and lived experience to craft learning solutions that honour every mind. Our Collective includes educators, scientists, designers, technologists and parents, united by one purpose: to transform empathy into action and deliver real-world impact.
Our Mission
To redesign the future of education for every mind. We achieve this through radical collaboration, relentless experimentation, and human-first thinking—placing curiosity, compassion and creativity at the heart of every project.
Our Story
What began as solitary advocacy has become a vibrant Collective of doers. We ask better questions, prototype bold ideas and build tools that transform lives. Each iteration reflects our commitment to co-creation, ensuring that the voices of families, educators and learners shape the work we do.
How We Work
Our approach is both agile and intentional. We start by listening—gathering insights from lived experience and asking deep questions alike. We then prototype solutions rapidly, testing with real communities to gather feedback and refine in real time. Partnerships are our power: by collaborating with schools, funders and innovators, we scale what works and share our learnings openly.
- Inspired by the voices of 1in7 families
Every Number Matters
*Much of the 787% rise in autism diagnoses reflects improved awareness and broader criteria, not an epidemic—finally recognising minds that were always there.
The Guardian: 'In the UK, autism diagnoses have risen dramatically, increasing by 787% between 1998 and 2018.'”
787%
787%
rise in autism diagnoses in the UK between 1998 and 2018*
Source
95%
95%
accuracy achieved by AI in detecting autism biomarkers from brain scans
Source
90x
90x
20× faster intervention enabled by real-time neuroimaging insights
Source
90%
90%
Over 90% accuracy in predicting future reading progress from pre‐literacy fMRI
1in7 Trustees
Our board of trustees brings together a diverse group of leaders each with a unique perspective and a shared commitment to driving real change within Education and the greater support to the neurodiverse communities. With deep expertise and proven credibility in their respective fields, our trustees are united by a common purpose to apply oversight, policy direction and creative impact to the 1in7 mission.
Their leadership ensures we remain focused, accountable, and relentlessly driven in our pursuit of transparency, accountability and best practice.
Sean Rafter
Co-Founder & Trustee
2024 – Present
A former professional sportsman and experienced entrepreneur, Sean brings broad commercial insight to the foundations of 1in7. As a co-founder, parent and developer of a previous education-focused platform, he has deep knowledge of both the education sector and neurodiversity pathways. Within 1in7, Sean leads innovation and strategic development, building charitable and commercial partnerships to help scale the charity’s mission and long-term impact.
Stephen Taylor
Co-Founder & Trustee
2024 – Present
Stephen is a designer and school governor with over 30 years’ experience helping organisations bring clarity to complex ideas. As a highly experienced graphic designer he has led creative and brand work across education, culture and the charity sector. At 1in7, he works at the intersection of creativity and concept—shaping new initiatives as well as how they’re expressed, communicated, and understood.
Farzad Pezeshkpour
Trustee
2024 – Present
Farzad is a technology leader, systems architect, and engineer with over 20 years of experience in AI, blockchain, and financial services. As a former CTO and co-founder, he has led the development of cutting-edge digital asset solutions and AI-driven systems. His expertise spans financial markets, distributed ledger technology, and scalable architectures, making him a key innovator in the fintech and AI space. With a deep background in complex systems and emerging technologies.
Nick Scott
Trustee
2024 – Present
Following decades in luxury lifestyle journalism, Nick is a widely respected writer and editor, known for his clarity, wit and emotional insight. His work has explored themes of culture, identity, and mental health with a rare blend of insight and humanity. At 1in7, he plays a key part in shaping how the charity communicates — helping craft stories that connect with partners, parents, educators, and, most importantly, the children we exist to serve.
“We need all brains to understand how the world works, and we need to embrace neurodiversity as part of that.”
Wendy Suzuki, Professor of Neural Science and
Psychology at New York University
Compliance & Accountability
At 1in7, accountability isn’t a checkbox—it’s the bedrock of trust that ensures every initiative delivers real, measurable impact for neurodiverse communities.
Compliance
1in7, a UK registered charity, ensures legal and ethical compliance through strong, transparent governance. We drive impactful, research-led initiatives via collaboration, bridging gaps with programs and partnerships. Guided by transparency and evidence, we deliver lasting impact for neurodiverse individuals and families.
Funding
We are a donation-led Charity, committed to impactful change with integrity and accountability. Every contribution is managed transparently for maximum impact. As a UK-registered charity, we comply with all UK laws and regulations, maintaining rigorous oversight and open, accountable funding processes, ensuring donor confidence.
Transparency & Reporting
Accountability is core to our foundation. We operate with full transparency, ensuring all decisions and finances align with UK regulations. Our rigorous reporting provides clear oversight of activities, funding, and impact. We adhere to strict governance, conduct audits, and openly share progress.