Portobello Institute Expands International Impact with Certified Inclusive Education Programme in India

In February 2026, a team of academic leaders from Portobello Institute travelled to Chennai, India, continuing a growing partnership with Chennai Volunteers to deliver a certified inclusive education upskilling programme to local educators.

Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu in southern India, is home to a network of grassroots organisations supporting children and young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and special educational needs (SEN).

Through this collaboration, Portobello Institute is delivering Celebrating Neurodiversity, a week-long, evidence-based programme designed to equip educators, therapists and trainers with practical, research-led approaches to inclusive education.

This year’s programme brings together professionals from 12 grassroots organisations across Chennai. Participants engage in immersive workshops focused on strengthening inclusive practice, deepening understanding of neurodiversity, and implementing sustainable strategies that can be embedded into their daily work.

The initiative builds on the success of Portobello’s previous visit in November 2024, where the impact of the training was estimated to positively influence practice supporting more than 4,500 children through upskilled practitioners and peer knowledge-sharing.

The 2026 visiting academic team includes Executive Dean Denise Flood, Early Years and Inclusive Education Programme Lead Jacinta Murphy, Inclusive Education Lecturer Fran Trehy, Sports Therapy Programme Lead Cathal Brady, Tutor and Programme Lead Derek Fox, and Research Supervisor Mel Murphy.

Together, they are delivering practical workshops incorporating the latest research, frameworks and hands-on methodologies. This year’s focus includes music therapy, creative arts, and sport-based interventions, all designed to enhance engagement, participation, and inclusive learning environments.

Alongside educator training, the Portobello team is working directly with children and visiting schools and organisations across the city. This hands-on engagement allows the team to witness the realities of local practice, collaborate with educators on the ground, and ensure the training delivered is both contextually relevant and sustainable.

Executive Dean, Denise Flood, emphasised the transformative value of the experience for both participants and the visiting faculty:

“Experiencing this work first-hand is both empowering and deeply humbling. As educators, we are committed to advancing inclusive practice through research and evidence and seeing that knowledge translate into meaningful impact for children and families in Chennai is truly eye-opening. It challenges us, strengthens our perspective, and reinforces why inclusive education must remain central to everything we do at Portobello Institute.”

The programme will culminate in a graduation ceremony where participants will receive certified recognition of their professional development. CEO of Portobello Institute, Rebekah Lyons, will attend to present certificates and acknowledge the commitment demonstrated by each participant throughout the week.

Reflecting on the broader significance of the initiative, Rebekah Lyons said:

“At Portobello Institute, our mission extends beyond our own classrooms. While we are proud to educate and support our students in Ireland and internationally, we also believe in sharing our expertise where it can make the greatest difference. Through this partnership in Chennai, our impact stretches far beyond our student body, reaching thousands of children from diverse backgrounds. This is about giving back, strengthening global collaboration, and ensuring that evidence-based inclusive education practices are accessible where they matter most.”

In addition to their professional engagement, the Portobello team is participating in team-building and cultural exchange activities alongside Chennai Volunteers, strengthening relationships and reinforcing a long-term partnership grounded in shared values.

Portobello Institute is proud to continue this collaboration and remains committed to advancing inclusive education practice both locally and globally, building sustainable impact that extends well beyond a single week of training.