Ali recently set up her own organisation Head, Heart and Hands in Practice following 15 years as a University Senior Lecturer. Ali qualified as a social worker in 1993 and has worked predominantly with adults with a learning disability. Over this time she has developed educational resources and published books relating to personalisation and social pedagogy. Ali has been a Director of an Advocacy Project working with children and adults for over 10 years. Ali is currently working closely with a number of local authorities and adult social care providers to develop the understanding and application of Social Pedagogy in working alongside adults.