I am an educational psychologist supporting schools to meet the needs of children as a consultant and advisor. I work with complex casework related to children with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. Schools need help to mobilise their internal and local resources, and policymakers need to think beyond children and young people (CYP) in crisis and consider more sustainable solutions, ie how knowledge, resources and community networks can be organised to make schools healthier places to study and work.

I worked with looked-after children in residential care before working with vulnerable CYP at a long-term pupil referral unit. After seven years as a lecturer, I completed my doctorate in which I explored the factors influencing teacher stress and burnout. I wrote a thesis on the use of appreciative inquiry to inform organisational change to promote teacher wellbeing in school.

As a specialist in SEMH, I have since developed and delivered various county-wide approaches to supporting what is now known as Whole School Approach (WSA) to wellbeing.

I am passionate about WSA, and I hope that the wealth of experience generously shared with me on this Fellowship can be used to bring about positive change for the future of British education.