Meet the Team
The people behind Circles Inside bring extensive experience in neuro-inclusion and criminal justice settings. Our multi-disciplinary team is dedicated to supporting neurodivergent individuals within the justice system through specialised advocacy, restorative practice, and relational approaches that drive lasting change and genuine inclusion.
Victoria Farnworth
Director | Justice & Neurodivergence Lead
Victoria has over 20 years’ experience working in the Criminal Justice sector across both custodial and community settings. She began her career working with juvenile and young offenders before moving into work with adult offenders, developing extensive experience supporting individuals with complex needs within justice environments.
Victoria specialises in the design and delivery of cognitive behavioural and restorative interventions and is an accredited and experienced facilitator of National Correctional Services Approved Programmes. She has led the development of innovative programmes, including neurodivergent support and pre-engagement initiatives, as well as the Restorative Lives suite of interventions delivered in partnership with Violence Reduction Partnerships.
Victoria has also led cultural change and practice development within secure settings, including immigration and other justice environments, supporting services to embed more inclusive, trauma-informed and restorative approaches.
She is passionate about equity, health equity and inclusion for neurodivergent people, and is committed to developing services that recognise diverse needs and promote meaningful engagement, dignity and opportunity for those involved in justice systems.
Stephen Johnson
Consultant | Custodial Engagement Lead
Stephen Johnson is a Consultant and Lead Support Worker on the Pre-Engagement Project. He brings extensive experience of working within custodial settings, having previously worked in a range of roles within the Prison Service.
Throughout his career, Stephen has been involved in developing peer mentor pathways that support individuals within secure environments to build skills, confidence and positive engagement. He has also contributed to the development and implementation of security systems and operational processes within prison settings.
Stephen’s experience of working directly with people in custody, combined with his practical knowledge of prison environments, enables him to support the development of effective engagement approaches for individuals with complex needs.
Jonathan Farnworth
Director | Social Care & Forensic Practice Lead
Jonathan Farnworth is an experienced social work professional with over 20 years’ practice within local authority services. He holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Manchester and has dedicated his career to supporting individuals with complex needs.
Throughout his career, Jonathan has worked as a Senior Social Worker across a range of statutory services, developing extensive expertise in learning disabilities and autism. His work has focused particularly on supporting individuals who present with forensic needs, requiring highly specialised, coordinated, and risk-aware approaches to care and support.
Jonathan has significant experience working within multi-disciplinary teams, collaborating with health services, criminal justice agencies, and specialist providers to ensure that individuals receive safe, person-centred support. His practice has been driven by a commitment to promoting independence, safeguarding vulnerable adults, and ensuring that people with complex needs are supported in ways that respect their rights, dignity, and opportunities for inclusion within their communities.
With two decades of frontline and senior practice experience, Jonathan brings deep knowledge of statutory responsibilities, safeguarding frameworks, and strengths-based social work approaches when working with individuals with learning disabilities and autism.
Why Choose Our Team
Decades of Experience
With over 25 years in justice settings, we combine deep clinical understanding with practical custodial expertise.
Lived Experience Focus
Our relational peer mentor model leverages lived experience to bridge trust gaps and improve individual outcomes.
Multi-Disciplinary Skills
From social work and restorative justice to autism practice, we provide a holistic approach to neuro-inclusion.