Joy trained as an Early Years teacher before focusing on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, English as an Additional Language, Transitions and Mental Health across the whole birth to nineteen age range. Additionally she taught on the second year of an Early Years degree course for four years. 

More recently Joy has worked in educational leadership and consultancy for schools, local authorities, charities and  the Department for Education.

Her Masters research focused on globally mobile children and transitions and her current doctoral studies are focused on educational approaches through care farming.

Joy is a Teacher Member of BERA and a Founding Fellow of The Chartered College of Teaching.