Mental Health in Schools Wales Conference

I am a Professor in the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University, and Director of DECIPHer. DECIPHer is a Health & Care Research Wales funded research centre dedicated to developing and evaluating interventions to improve public health and reduce inequalities, focusing primarily on interventions outside of the healthcare system. I also currently lead a research theme on mental health in schools within the Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health and co-lead the health and wellbeing research theme in the ESRC-funded Behavioural Research UK hub. From 2013 to 2024, I was involved in establishing Wales’ National School Health Research Network, leading its expansion to primary schools from 2020-24. My work combines methodological innovation with practical impact, and I led the development of widely used MRC funded guidance on process evaluation and adapting interventions to new contexts. I currently chair the NIHR Public Health Research funding committee and am a Health and Care Research Wales Senior Research Leader.

I am a Research Fellow based at the DECIPHer Centre at Cardiff University, contributing to the programme of research into mental health, substance misuse in youth settings and complex intervention development. I am leading research on evaluating the Welsh Government guidance on a whole school approach to emotional and mental wellbeing. I am also working on a trial of nurse interventions in outreach teams for people experiencing homelessness. I have been involved in various tobacco-related studies, including testing smoking cessation approaches in settings for people experiencing homelessness and evaluating the Tobacco Products Directive. I am programme lead for the DECIPHer methods programme and convene the short course ‘Process Evaluation of Complex Interventions’.

Dr Robert Brooks is an Educational Psychologist with Monmouthshire County Council. He helps school communities embed the Whole-School Approach to emotional and mental wellbeing through inquiry and reflective dialogue with school leaders. Drawing on his work in Monmouthshire and his Churchill Fellowship, he has supported the creation of confidential reflective spaces for headteachers and senior leaders. He has promoted inquiry as a practical way to strengthen wellbeing by using community voice, data, and professional judgement to clarify priorities and keep actions grounded in common sense.

Rhydian is Director of Learning and Health & Physical Education teacher at Ysgol Aberconwy Secondary School. He is responsible for whole school student and staff Health and Well-being, PSHE and the House System. He has a Master’s in Education and PGCE at Bangor University. BSc in Sport and Exercise Science at Loughborough University. He is a Mental Health First Aid Instructor and has enjoyed valuable secondment opportunities with the School Health Research Network, DECIPHer, Conwy County and GwE Education Consortia.

Claire Hathway is the Additional Learning Needs Development officer for Children In Wales, with over 15 years’ experience working in Children and Young people’s Participation.

In her role and as part of a large-scale evaluation of the new ALN reform, she has designed and led on a Wales Wide ALN Ambassadors Program, enabling children and young people to participate effectively and share their views on ALN implementation with practioners, ministers and policy makers.

Sally Duckers is the Team Leader for WCD Young Carers covering Wrexham, Conwy & Denbighshire, which is part of the Charity ‘Credu connecting young and adult carers’ covering five Counties in Wales. Sally is also the Lead for Young Carers Voice in Credu and works closely with Carers Trust Wales to support engagement on the Carers Trust Wales Youth Council, Welsh Young Carers Advisory Board and Ministerial Advisory Board. Sally also sits on the Ministerial Advisory Board for Young Carers herself.

Sally has twenty years’ experience working alongside Young Carers and their families as an Outreach Worker in North Powys, as a project worker on the Making Carers Count programme and more recently as a Young Carers Team Leader working more strategically to give young carers the possibility for better outcomes in their lives. She has seen huge changes in the conversation and the visibility around young carers and the response to new data and case studies that help to keep the ongoing challenges ever present.

Sally has experience and training in fine art, community art and events, playwork, youthwork and as a practitioner and trainer in Collaborative Communication; a strength based, outcome focussed, person centred way of working.

Dean Pymble is Campaign Manager for Wales at Show Racism the Red Card. Dean’s work has focused on addressing racial equity through the education system, sport, and within the workplace. Dean has experience of working with and delivering anti-racism training to organisations across the private, public and third sector. Dean is a core DARPL team member supporting the creation and delivery of the teacher and wider school staff anti-racism professional learning in Wales. Dean works with staff at all levels of organisations including board and committee members to create positive anti-racist learning and working environments where racial equity is at the heart of their decision-making process.

Dean has been involved in action research and research projects through his role at Show Racism the Red Card creating recommendations to the FAW and education settings on how to create pathways for recruitment and retention of global majority staff or candidates. Dean is passionate about creating lasting impact and cultural change to remove racial inequalities at all levels of society. Dean previously worked within the world of professional football at Cardiff City Football Club.

Gavin Lewis is a Co-Founder of Ysgol Antur Cwm, an independent school in South Wales specialising in vocational and outdoor education for pupils aged 11–16 with Additional Learning Needs (ALN), particularly those with ADHD and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) challenges.

With a background that spans 12 years in the Armed Forces and senior leadership roles in the private sector, Gavin brings a unique perspective on leadership, resilience, and practical problem-solving. He founded Ysgol Antur Cwm to create a safe, hands-on learning environment for pupils who do not thrive in traditional education settings. His focus is on fostering confidence, resilience and life skills through vocational learning, enabling vulnerable young people to succeed both in school and in life.

Anna Champs brings over 20 years of teaching experience to her role as Associate Assistant Head at Ebbw Fawr Learning Community, where she leads on Emotional Well-being, Safeguarding, and Attendance. Her career spans both curriculum and pastoral roles, giving her a well-rounded understanding of the diverse needs of learners.

Anna works closely with external partners, families, and young people to ensure a collaborative and inclusive approach to mental health and well-being. She has played a key role in national pilot programmes, including the Mental Health In-reach to Schools initiative and the Cynefin Whole School Approach, helping to shape innovative strategies that place emotional well-being at the heart of education.

Her commitment to creating safe, nurturing environments continues to drive her work in supporting students to thrive both academically and personally.