[2][3] He became interested in poetry when Jean "Binta" Breeze visited his school whilst Coelho was in sixth form.

Coelho often runs CPD sessions with teachers sharing ways to engage young people with poetry.

[10][11] Coelho's second independent collection, Overheard in a Tower Block, was shortlisted for the Centre for Literacy in Primary Poetry Award in 2018.

Coelho is a children's author and poet who is committed to making the reading and writing of poetry accessible to all.

[4] As part of his tenure as Children's Laureate, he focused on various different projects, Poetry Prompts, Bookmaker Like You and the Library Marathon.

[14] Additionally, he started a programme called Bookmaker Like You, celebrating the authors, illustrators and publishers who underpin book creation.

Coelho was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2024 Birthday Honours for services to the Arts, to Children's Reading and to Literature.