Kelly is an academic at the University of Brighton. Having worked with third sector agencies supporting offenders for many years, Kelly completed an MSc in Social Work at the University of Southern Indiana (USA). After qualifying, Kelly returned to the UK and worked as a forensic social worker and AMHP in London. Kelly joined the University of Bedfordshire in 2010 and completed a PhD focusing on the emotional impact of assessing and managing risk on mental health professionals. Kelly is now the Subject Lead for Social Work and leads the Post Graduate Diploma in Approved Mental Health Practice at the University of Brighton