About Us

Complete Independence was founded to fill a clear gap: service users often tell their story multiple times, bounce between services, or feel boxed into rigid systems. We wanted to build a service that ensures continuity, dignity and coherence.

How We Work

At Complete Independence, our service has been built to ensure continuity, dignity, and coherence and to remove existing barriers.

As part of The Inclusivity Group, we are part of a group of companies, with the same values and ethos, so individuals and organisations can access wraparound, joined-up support from one place.

A woman on the phone in an office speaking to a client

One conversation, one story

From your first contact with us, we aim to simplify the journey. You tell us your story once, and we coordinate across services so you don’t have to repeat yourself.

A woman planning

Holistic assessment and planning

We take time to understand your strengths, needs, environment, and aspirations. Together, we co-create a plan that suits you, not the system.

Flexible support delivery

We deliver via in-home support, remote check-ins, coaching, coordination with other providers, whatever fits your life.

A man and woman having a conversation and review

Continuous reflection and improvement

We regularly review progress, gather feedback, and adapt support plans so they remain relevant to you.

The Complete Independence team having a meeting

Partnerships and advocacy

We don’t operate in isolation. We partner with health services, local authorities, employability programmes, and community organisations to bridge gaps and open doors.

Why Choose Complete Independence?

Our Values

Our vision is for deaf, disabled and neurodiverse people to live in a world where they feel equal and valued by society.

Work with organisations, communication and support specialists to ensure deaf, disabled and neurodiverse people can be equal and active members of society.

To demonstrate our commitment to supporting the mental well-being of our team, we have signed the ‘Charter for Employer Positive About Mental Health’ to publicly demonstrate our desire to support the mental health of our staff across the organisation.

We were also awarded the Wellbeing at Work Bronze award. Achieving the Wellbeing at Work Bronze Award has not only been rewarding but has really opened our eyes to how we can improve wellbeing within our workplace; this award has made us realise not only what we do already as a team but what we can do even better for the future. It validates our hard work and commitment to creating a supportive and healthy work environment.

As a company, we are passionate about promoting and ensuring that deaf, disabled and neurodiverse people can have full access to all the services they need and feel like valued members of their community.

This extends to our workplace, where we actively promote an inclusive environment and encourage applications from disabled candidates. As of August 2021, at least one-third of our team has declared a disability or long-term health condition.

Beyond our own practices, we support other organisations in making their services and recruitment more accessible, driving positive change towards a more inclusive society.

Our ISO9001 and 27001 certification demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of information security management.

By achieving ISO 27001, we ensure that our systems and processes meet rigorous international criteria for safeguarding sensitive data. This accomplishment reflects our dedication to protecting the information and privacy of our clients, partners, and stakeholders.

We are continually striving to enhance our security measures and maintain the trust and confidence of those we support.

Since our formation, we have grown significantly, expanding our reach nationwide and becoming known for providing quality. In 2023, we became part of The Inclusivity Group, which brought our sister companies, Complete Training and Complete Communication, all under one roof to create a wrap-around service offering to our clients.

Becoming The Inclusivity Group

Despite the company being formed at the start of a global pandemic at the dining room table of the two directors, we have grown rapidly into the company you see today!

We're official!
The first of our businesses, Complete Communication is established with the successful merger of two freelance businesses
17th May 2019
Our first Accessible Festival
We provided BSL/English Interpreting services to our first Accessible Festival
August 2019
We built our first office
The Garage- a place where just putting the kettle on would blow the electrics!
February 2020
We reached 100 new clients!
We hit the milestone of providing support to 100 clients!
August 2020
Our first ‘real’ office
After outgrowing the garage, we decided it was time to move to another office, where we could boil the kettle to our hearts content!
July 2021
We became IS09001 accreditation - International Standard for Quality Management Systems
We proudly achieved our ISO9001 accreditation for Quality Management, signifying our commitment to maintaining high-quality standards through structured quality management processes, ensuring customer satisfaction and pursuing continuous improvement.
July 2021
Disability Confident and Disability Confident Employer
We became a Disability Confidence Committed, Disability Confident Employer and a Disability Confident Leader, proving our dedication to accessible practice.
June 2022
We formed Complete Training!
Complete Training was formed, creating a trusted haven for premier online and face-to-face training courses. Our accredited catalogue of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), Open College Network and Signature courses span diverse domains. Guided by experts and designed for flexibility, our courses empower learners to transcend their professional aspirations.
October 2022
Award nominations!
We were nominated and shortlisted for two Devon Chamber of Commerce 'The Problem Solver' and 'The Game Changer' Awards.
June 2023
The Great British Bake-off – history was made
One of our amazing clients, Tasha Stones, became the first deaf person to compete in The Great British Bake Off, along with our CEO, Daryl McMullan, as the first British Sign Language Interpreter in the show’s history!
November 2023
We began working with Live Nations and Cuffe and Taylor to make their events accessible
We provided access and BSL Interpreting services for the Plymouth and Southampton Summer Sessions and Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod about mental health confidently and support the mental well-being of all our staff.
August 2024
We achieve the Bronze Wellbeing at Work Award
Achieving the Wellbeing at Work Bronze Award is a significant achievement, signalling our commitment to prioritising employee health and wellbeing in a structured, meaningful way. This award recognises the steps we’ve taken to build a supportive and positive work environment.
November 2024
New courses
Complete Training launches its Signature British Sign Language Level 1, 2 and 3 courses, along with our Electronic Notetaking course.
March 2025
More award nominations!
Complete Communication were nominated for TWO Devon Business Awards: Small Business of the Year and Equality Trailblazer
May 2025
Complete Independence Ltd joins Plymouth’s Supported Living Framework
We’re proud to announce that Complete Independence Ltd has successfully won a place on Plymouth City Council’s Supported Living Framework tender - strengthening our ability to support deaf, disabled, neurodivergent and elderly people to live independently with dignity and choice.
August 2025
Complete Training launches its first British Sign Language (BSL) level 3 course
We’re incredibly proud to have achieved a long-held goal of delivering our own BSL Level 3 course, creating a clear learning pathway from free BSL taster sessions and Introductory courses through to Signature-accredited Levels 1, 2, and 3.
16th May 2019
We gained our first client!
July 2019
We took on our first employee
Still, all sat around our that same dining table.
October 2019
Signature British Sign Language Level 1 and 2 courses
We launched our Signature British Sign Language Level 1 and 2 courses.
April 2020
We employed our first apprentice
The start of many!
January 2021
Complete Communication became an OCN London Training Centre
Complete Communication became an OCN London Training Centre and launch our Level 3 Electronic Notetaking course
July 2021
Another office move
We moved to a larger office at the Plymouth Science Park and began making friends with the local wildlife.
August 2021
Complete Independence LTD was born!
Complete Independence was formed to revolutionise the care and support sector by providing person-centred, bespoke support to individuals within the community, with the goal of creating a more independent and fulfilling lifestyle for each individual.
August 2022
Why not move offices again?
We finally found our new home! After very quickly outgrowing our new office, we finally moved to our current offices, with space for us to expand into the future.
April 2023
The formation of The Inclusivity Group
With the goal of delivering person-centred support from one central location, meaning people only have to tell their story once.
September 2023
We became a Mindful Employer
We signed the Charter for Employers Positive about Mental Health to demonstrate our commitment to creating a supportive and open culture where staff feel able to talk about mental health confidently and support the mental well-being of all our staff.
June 2024
Disability Confident Leader
The Inclusivity Group became a Disability Confident Leader for all organisations within our group
September 2024
We achieved ISO27001 (International Standard for information security management)
As part of our commitment to quality and to maintaining the highest standards of information security, we achieved our ISO27001 accreditation. For this, we were independently audited to confirm that we go above and beyond to follow industry-leading systems and processes to safeguard sensitive data.
February 2025
We launched our own Client Portal and industry-leading Customer Relation Management System (CRM), The Hive
After over 18 months of hard work, we excitedly launched our bespoke client portal, built to raise standards, ensure transparency and, most importantly, ensure our clients continue to receive the highest quality of service.
April 2025
We won!
We were thrilled to win the Equality Trailblazer Award at the Devon Business Awards 2025!
May 2025
Complete Training’s first major Tender Win
Complete Training proudly secured its first major Department for Education Skills Bootcamp: Train4Tomorrow contract, enabling us to deliver fully funded British Sign Language (BSL) courses across Devon, thereby expanding access and strengthening inclusive communities.
October 2025

Meet the team

Say hello to our lovely team. Want to find out about working with us? Check our vacancies at the Inclusivity Group website.

Kelsie Thomas

Client Relationship Manager

Meet Kelsie, one of our dedicated and vibrant Client Relationship Managers. Kelsie is a Qualified Electronic Notetaker and Manual Notetaker. Her role focuses on raising awareness of our services and helping individuals achieve the best outcomes with their support.

Tracy McMullan

Client Relationship Manager and Registered Manager

Meet Tracy. Tracy brings over 15 years of invaluable experience in the care and support sector to her role as Senior Support Co-Ordinator. She meets with clients to assess their needs and determine the best support options.

Sharon Saunders

Deaf Culture Specialist and Lead British Sign Language Teacher

Meet Sharon, our dedicated Deaf Culture Specialist who specialises in providing clients with essential awareness and leads our British Sign Language (BSL) and access courses. 

Olivia Burring

Business Development and Events Coordinator

Meet Olivia, our Business Development and Events Coordinator. She’s dedicated to growing our service offering to meet clients’ needs and ensuring that all events are inclusive and accessible for everyone.

Holly McGeachy

HR, Recruitment and Compliance Officer

Meet Holly, our HR, Recruitment, and Compliance Officer. She is the newest member of our team! Holly is working towards becoming a Qualified Electronic and Manual notetaker.

Tienna Sleep

Business Support Administrator

Meet Tienna, one of our dedicated Business Support Administrators. She is passionate about supporting our clients and our team in reducing the administration load and ensuring smooth and efficient support. 

Shannon Griffin

Training Team Leader and Finance and Accounts Officer

Meet Shannon, our diligent finance and Accounts Administrator. Shannon is a Qualified Manual and Electronic Notetaker, ready to support our clients. Shannon is also a Wellbeing Champion for the team.

Rhiannon Squance

Director and Founder

Meet Rhiannon, our enthusiastic Director. Rhiannon is an NRCPD-registered Electronic Notetaker, an OCN-accredited Manual Notetaker, and a skilled Theatre Captioner. As the Finance Director, Rhiannon oversees finance tasks and leads our HR team!

Daryl McMullan

CEO and Founder

Introducing Daryl, our CEO, who also leads our parent company, The Inclusivity Group. Daryl envisioned creating a comprehensive, one-stop service for our clients aimed at making the world a more accessible and inclusive place.

Milo, Reggie and Terry

Investors

In our vibrant workplace where creativity and camaraderie flourish, Milo, Reggie, and Terry contribute far more than their titles suggest.

Bethany Tate

Trainee British Sign Language Teacher and Deaf Community Liaison

Meet Bethany, our Trainee British Sign Language (BSL) Teacher and Deaf Community Liaison. Bethany supports the delivery of BSL courses while developing her teaching skills and works closely with the deaf community to strengthen connections and promote awareness.

Our Services

Complete Independence provides a range of tailored services designed to help you live life on your own terms, from everyday practical support to professional assessments and workplace guidance.

Our team offers specialist assistance for Deaf, Disabled and neurodivergent people, combining compassion, expertise and flexibility to create support that truly fits your needs.

Access to work support

Diagnostic Assessments

Independent Living Support

Braided Support

“Complete Independence could not have been more helpful, understanding and supportive. It is such a relief to have found them and their support enables me to be more effective in my work and less stressed. Thank you!”

Sally Agobiani
Google review

Contact our friendly team to get started

Get in touch today to find out how we can guide your journey.

BSL Translation coming soon

We want our website to be as accessible as possible, so our team is busily editing a BSL video for this section.

Meet Kelsie, one of our dedicated and vibrant Client Relationship Managers. Kelsie is a Qualified Electronic Notetaker and Manual Notetaker. Her role focuses on raising awareness of our services and helping individuals achieve the best outcomes with their support.

Kelsie is also a Wellbeing Champion for the team, showing a commitment to fostering a positive work environment and supporting those around her. Kelsie plays a crucial role in supporting our team, helping to ensure our clients receive the vital care and support they need, our projects run smoothly, and our services continue to develop and improve.

Outside of work, she loves to travel and go on holidays to new places, experiment with new recipes in the kitchen, and spend quality time with friends and family.

Kelsie’s blend of professionalism, warmth, and a touch of humour makes her a valuable team member.

Meet Tracy. Tracy brings over 15 years of invaluable experience in the care and support sector to her role as Senior Support Co-Ordinator. She meets with clients to assess their needs and determine the best support options. Tracy’s extensive career spans domiciliary care, social care, and support work across both private and public sectors, including the NHS.

Tracy is a Qualified Electronic Notetaker and holds an NVQ3 in Health and Social Care. She is currently working towards achieving her Registered Manager status, demonstrating her commitment to professional excellence. With an enhanced DBS clearance and proficiency in British Sign Language at Level 2, Tracy ensures the highest standards of care and support for our clients.

Sharon’s expertise ensures that our team and clients receive valuable insights and guidance in deaf and disability awareness.

In addition to her teaching role, Sharon offers advice and guidance to our team, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

Sharon enjoys indulging in chocolate digestives outside work, complementing her passion for watching TV. These moments of relaxation reflect her balanced approach to work and leisure.

Sharon’s commitment to education and advocacy and her personal interests enrich our team and enhance our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Olivia manages our team of theatre and performance Interpreters, captioners, audio Describers, and Access Managers and works closely with our CEO to ensure everyone is supported.

Olivia is currently training to be part of our in-house Electronic Notetaking and Captioning team and is also completing her BSL level 6. Outside of work, she loves travelling anywhere with a beach and spending time with friends and family.

Meet Holly, our HR, Recruitment, and Compliance Officer. She is the newest member of our team! Holly is working towards becoming a Qualified Electronic and Manual notetaker.

Within her role, Holly plays a crucial part in assisting with the PA role, valiantly trying to keep Daryl on track and organised. She also assists recruitment, ensuring that new hires meet our high standards and that our electronic notetakers (ENTs) are up to scratch. Holly diligently keeps our company policies up to date and compliant, ensuring that we adhere to the highest standards.

Known for her slight obsession with K-Pop, Holly is always happy to discuss her love of music with the team and promote an inclusive environment within the office. Outside work, Holly enjoys attending concerts, where she indulges her interest in music. She is an avid collector of albums and CDs from her favourite artists, demonstrating her passion for music and dedication to her hobbies.

Holly’s administrative expertise and commitment to supporting our team make her a valuable member.

Tienna is one of our Electronic Notetakers team and continues adding additional skills to ensure she can best support our clients.

Outside of work, Tienna enjoys exploring with her dog on the vast Dartmoor moorland and spending time with family and friends, whether that’s a weekend of fun activities or just chilling in the comfort of her garden. On most summer weekends, she will be found on the beach with a cold drink.  

Currently training to become a qualified Electronic Notetaker, Tienna is committed to expanding her skills to better serve our clients. Her enhanced DBS clearance underscores her dedication to maintaining trust and professionalism in all interactions.

Meet Shannon, our diligent finance and Accounts Administrator. Shannon is a Qualified Manual and Electronic Notetaker, ready to support our clients.

Shannon is also a Wellbeing Champion for the team, committed to fostering a positive work environment and promoting mental health and wellbeing.

Shannon handles daily financial administration activities, ensuring our financial processes run smoothly and supporting other team members with finance tasks and questions.

Known for their speed and efficiency within their role, Shannon can always keep up with any tasks thrown their way. Outside of work, Shannon enjoys diving into the immersive worlds of games like Skyrim or virtual reality games like Beat Saber. Their passion for gaming reflects their strategic thinking and attention to detail, qualities they bring to their role every day.

Shannon’s blend of expertise, dedication, and unique interests makes them a valuable member of our team.

Meet Rhiannon, our enthusiastic director. Rhiannon is an NRCPD-registered Electronic Notetaker, an OCN-accredited Manual Notetaker, and a skilled Theatre Captioner.

As the Finance Director, Rhiannon oversees all high-level finance tasks, ensuring that all finance processes are up to date, running smoothly, and carried out correctly. In addition to her finance responsibilities, she also leads our internal HR team!

Rhiannon has extensive experience working with deaf, disabled, and visually impaired students and professionals, enabling them to engage effectively in meetings, educational settings, and work environments. Her commitment to inclusivity and accessibility is at the heart of her work.

Known for her alter ego, “Ron of Ron’s Travel,” Rhiannon always brings out the best in the office team, creating a welcoming and fun atmosphere. Outside of work, she has a passion for film and can often be heard discussing recommendations with everyone else in the office.

Rhiannon’s blend of professional expertise, dedication to inclusivity, and vibrant personality makes her an invaluable leader to our team.

Introducing Daryl, our CEO, who also leads our parent company, The Inclusivity Group. Daryl envisioned creating a comprehensive, one-stop service for our clients aimed at making the world a more accessible and inclusive place. He has seamlessly integrated our three companies—Complete Communication, Complete Independence, and Complete Training—under a unified entity that prioritises a client-centred approach, supporting our clients through every step of their journeys.

Daryl boasts a wealth of qualifications, including being a Qualified BSL/English Interpreter, Lipspeaker, NRCPD Registered Electronic Notetaker, OCN accredited Notetaker, Theatre Captioner, Professional Supervisor, and a BSc (Hons) Psychology graduate with first-class honours. He is a member of several professional organisations:

  • Visual Language Professionals (VLP) – 0545
  • The National Union of British Sign Language Interpreters (NUBSLI)
  • National Register of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD) – 1016523
  • The Association of Notetaking Professionals
  • The Association of Lipspeakers

 

In his role, Daryl manages all aspects of the company’s operations. He is frequently engaged in multiple projects simultaneously, from preparing to interpret shows and learning scripts to establishing new companies. Daryl is perpetually active and never found sitting still.

Known for his boundless energy and enthusiasm, Daryl constantly lifts office morale, although his lively spirit can occasionally distract his team. His passion and dedication are truly infectious. Outside of work, Daryl is an avid bee enthusiast, though some might argue that there is no “outside of work” for him, as he is always busy even when he probably shouldn’t be!

In our vibrant workplace where creativity and camaraderie flourish, Milo, Reggie, and Terry contribute far more than their titles suggest. Milo, our exceptional therapy dog, offers a soothing presence that effortlessly alleviates stress with each wag of his tail. Reggie, the energetic bundle of fur, infuses every moment with his endless vitality, ensuring excitement. And then there’s Terry, the lovable yet discerning tortoise, whose steady, thoughtful approach encourages us to take things at a comfortable pace.

Together, these three are more than mascots; they’re beloved team members, elevating everyone’s mood and nurturing a warm, inclusive environment. Their playful moments and photos frequently circulate among team members, constantly reminding them of the joy they bring to our workplace.

Bethany plays a key role in supporting our BSL teaching, ensuring learners feel encouraged as they build their skills and confidence. As she develops her teaching practice, she also strengthens connections within the Deaf community, helping to promote awareness and inclusion.

In addition to her role, Bethany works closely with both colleagues and community members, offering insight and fostering positive relationships that support our mission.

Outside of work, Bethany enjoys crochet, a hobby that reflects her creativity and patience. Her enthusiasm for learning and connecting with people enriches our team and reflects her dedication to building an inclusive environment.