Award-Winning UK Children’s Mental Health Service!
Sunny Kids Shine® is an award-winning children's mental health and advocacy service, transforming how we understand and support children's emotional well-being. Making BIG feelings child-sized!
We provide dedicated support to children, families and professionals, with a specialised focus on Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH), in keeping with the 2025 Government report and Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) needs, in alignment with the SEND Code of Practice.
We help children N.A.M.E. their emotions in healthy, constructive ways, which stands for Notice, Accept, Manage, and Express. Through this framework, children become a "Feelings Detective®,” while adults step into their roles as “Emotional Champions.”
It’s more than a method; it’s a way for families and professionals to learn and grow together toward a brighter future.
Founded by Jodie Smart in 2018, Sunny Kids Shine® brings children, parents, carers, education settings and professionals together to build understanding, strengthen relationships and create brighter futures.
Feelings need to be felt, not fixed. Understood, not dismissed and supported, not suppressed. We believe the same is true for children.
Children don't need fixing, changing or moulding into a one-size-fits-all approach. They need the time, space and support to explore what’s really going on inside, understand what their feelings might be telling them, and discover what works for them in their own time.
At Sunny Kids Shine®, we change lives, not people.
About Sunny Kids Shine®
Sunny Kids Shine® was born from a passion for helping children feel understood, especially those whose feelings, needs and experiences can be misunderstood by the world around them.
With over 10 years of previous experience supporting children with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across mainstream and specialist education, founder Jodie Smart understands how challenging it can be for children and families to navigate a world that doesn't always understand them.
Too often, children are expected to manage feelings they don't yet understand, communicate needs they don't have the words for, or meet expectations without the right support around them.
Jodie wanted to do things differently.
Sunny Kids Shine® was created to give children a voice, make emotional wellbeing accessible and empower the adults around them with practical tools that make a meaningful difference — not just in the moment, but throughout childhood and beyond.
What began as a passion for supporting individual children and families has grown into an award-winning service supporting children, families and professionals across the UK, through personalised support, workshops, training and innovative resources.
And our mission remains the same: helping every child feel safe, seen, heard and understood, so they can grow into secure, resilient and content young people, who feel confident in themselves and SHINE from the inside out.
What Does SHINE Stand For?
The SHINE in Sunny Kids Shine® stands for Self-Awareness, Healthy Habits, Independence, Nurturing Qualities and Emotional Intelligence. The foundations that help children develop the skills and confidence to navigate life's ups and downs.
At the heart of our work is our award-winning Feelings Detective® Approach, which has been thoughtfully created, blending compassion, creativity, education and therapeutic practices to make BIG feelings child-sized!
Our support is tailored to meet the unique needs of the children, families and professionals we work alongside, offering practical tools, meaningful understanding and strategies that work in real life. We meet everyone where they are and find what truly works for you, your child or the children you work with.
Above all, our evidence-informed approach is guided by one fundamental belief: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to feelings, children, families or communities. Every child matters, every feeling is just as unique as we are, and everyone deserves to feel safe, seen, heard and supported to SHINE from the inside out.
Meet Our Founder, Jodie Smart
Jodie Smart is the founder of Sunny Kids Shine®. She established the organisation to champion emotional wellbeing in children, especially those facing SEMH and SEND challenges, and to provide support with sensitivity, creativity and care.
Background & Qualifications
BA (Hons) in Childhood Development
Certified in Mindfulness for Children
Trained in British Sign Language
Ongoing professional development in safeguarding, trauma, sensory processing, child protection, SEND and inclusion
Current Enhanced DBS registered on the Update Service
.Full Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insured
From hands-on support for children and families to equipping professionals and partnering with County Councils, we help drive lasting, positive change.
Guiding Principles & Expertise
Philosophy: Jodie believes every child deserves to feel safe, supported and confident, not simply “fixed”. Emotions are natural, and sometimes BIG. Her mission is to help children understand their feelings, manage them with kindness and express them in healthy, authentic ways.
What she brings: With over a decade of hands-on experience in diverse educational settings, Jodie combines expertise with compassion. She is committed to inclusive practice and believes that when children and the people around them are emotionally nourished, they can truly shine from the inside out.
Ambassador for the Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline: “With a strong commitment to safeguarding and early intervention, Jodie brings both compassion and practical experience to her ambassador role. Her work focuses on raising awareness of domestic abuse, promoting access to vital support services, and ensuring that families—especially children—feel seen, heard, and supported.” https://www.hertsdomesticabusehelpline.org/news
Featured Articles: Jodie has written regular articles on children's mental health and well-being for The Herts Advertiser and Netmums, which is one of the UK’s largest parenting websites and online communities. Below are just some of her featured articles:
Why kids can seem emotionally overwhelmed after school, and how to help them cope
How this mum used a rubber glove to teach her daughter patience
How to talk to your child about diversity and why it matters
St Albans entrepreneur on the importance of prevention for children’s mental health
Former Netmums Expert: Jodie was one of Netmums’ trusted wellbeing experts and is listed among Netmums’ former experts alongside Dr Ranj and other leading UK parenting and child health experts.
The Person Behind The Business
Beyond the business, I'm Jodie, a mum of two, a domestic abuse survivor, a proud cat and dog mum, and a woman who has learned a lot about life along the way!
I became a mum young, learning as I went, navigating challenges, finding my voice and discovering the importance of riding the waves of our emotions with acceptance, kindness and compassion. Often the hard way, through life's struggles.
Like many parents and professionals alike, I know life isn't always sunshine and rainbows! There are BIG feelings, unexpected challenges, moments of overwhelm and plenty of learning along the way. I'm passionate about creating a world where children can grow up feeling confident being themselves, without feeling they have to hide their feelings, meet everyone else's expectations or be anything other than who they are.
I don't believe we should have to wait until adulthood, or go through difficult experiences, to learn the skills that help us understand ourselves, navigate relationships and believe in our own worth and strengths.
.My own experiences have shaped my belief that self-worth isn't about being perfect, keeping everyone happy or getting everything right. It's about understanding ourselves, recognising our needs, setting healthy personal boundaries and embracing the fact that we're all a work in progress.
I'm a big believer in practising what we teach, not getting it right all the time, but being willing to reflect, learn, repair and try again.
Supporting children to SHINE starts with creating space for the adults around them to learn and grow, and SHINE too.
When I'm not working on Sunny Kids Shine®, you'll find me embracing family life, enjoying nature and the beautiful world around us, dreaming up new ideas to make BIG feelings child-size, or doing something that brings me joy and helps me reconnect with myself.
Above all, I'm passionate about helping children and adults realise that we don't need to fit in or change who we are to be worthy of love, understanding and belonging.
We all have our own stories, struggles and strengths. None of us has arrived, and we're all learning as we go. That's something worth remembering, for ourselves as well as for the children we're raising and supporting.
What Makes Sunny Kids Shine® Different?
Children's struggles are rarely just what we see on the surface. That's why we dig deeper.
Children don't grow and thrive in isolation. Their emotional well-being is shaped by their relationships, environments, and the support surrounding them. That's why we work alongside the child and the people around them to truly understand each child’s unique experience and what they need.
We also can't promise children will never struggle again. That’s why we equip them with practical tools and skills they need to SHINE through any storms they may face. As secure, confident, content and resilient young people.
Through one-to-one support, parent consultations, workshops, training and our Feelings Detective® resources, we bring parents, carers, schools, settings and professionals together to build shared understanding, strengthen connections and create more consistent, supportive environments for all.
Holistic, Child-Centred Approach
We focus on the whole child and everyone around them, not just isolated behaviours. We also listen to and respect every individual, recognising that their voices, experiences and needs matter. Our approach nurtures emotional, social and personal wellbeing for all, helping children develop strong foundations that last.
Evidence-Informed Tools And Support
Our resources, tools and support are grounded in evidence-informed practice, combining social and emotional learning with therapeutic approaches. We measure our impact, with over 90% success consistently reported, reflecting our commitment to meaningful interventions and lasting change.
Inclusive And Strengths-Focused
We celebrate differences, recognise individual strengths and adapt our support to the child, rather than expecting the child to fit the approach. We build confidence, self-worth and emotional safety, so children embrace their strengths and never let anyone or anything dim the beautiful light that SHINES within.
Creative And Engaging
Learning about feelings doesn’t have to be serious or scary. Our sessions are colourful, playful and interactive, making emotional development an exciting, enjoyable journey of learning and growing together through play.
Working Together
Sunny Kids Shine in Education, in the Community and in the comfort of your own home. Operating at all levels, from delivering hands-on support to children and families, equipping professionals with essential skills, and partnering with the County Council to drive systemic change.
Lasting Impact
By removing barriers and nurturing emotional intelligence, resilience and kindness, we help children grow into capable, content and self-assured individuals who can navigate life confidently and thrive to reach their full individual potential.
