Jill taught in special and mainstream settings before entering higher education as a teacher trainer. . She is now Director of Studies for MPhil and PhD Students in the Department of Education at the University of Bath.

Her research projects have included educational policy and provision for pupils with special educational needs with a special focus on young people who experience difficulties in learning and those who have challenging behaviour.

She is particularly interested in curriculum and pedagogies that promote independence in learning across the age span. She has published widely, recently "Time to Listen" and "Time for Review" two articles on eliciting the views of young people with difficulties in learning.