Laura Mackay is the CEO of Just Like Us, the UK’s leading charity for LGBT+ youth. She is a former Assistant Headteacher with a passion for inclusive education.

She taught English and led on equality, diversity and inclusion in schools for over a decade before moving to the charity sector. She is a school governor and Teach First ambassador; a rugby player and a soprano!

I joined BACP in December 2023 as Director of Professional Standards, Policy and Research. I’m a Chartered Psychologist with almost 30 years’ experience in professional membership and research organisations in the charity sector, primarily supporting mental health. My specific expertise is in strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement to maximise impactful outcomes. Throughout my career, I’ve helped bridge the gap between evidence, policy development and decision making; influencing Government on a variety of issues relating to mental health.

I know the importance of representing our members and the profession, and being responsive to changes in the world in which therapists work. By ensuring high professional standards and providing robust evidence to influence decision making on key Governmental policies, strategic development and best practice, we can work together to deliver the best possible outcomes for our clients and practitioners across the UK.

The psychological health and wellbeing of people in this country is under considerable pressure.  I have two teenagers living with anxiety, so I see this every day.  Counselling does indeed change lives – but there needs to be greater universality of choice, access and affordability.

Sinéad Mc Brearty is CEO at Education Support, the mental health and wellbeing charity for the education workforce across the UK. She advocates for a systemic approach to wellbeing for the education workforce, attending to the individual, the workplace and the wider policy environment. She works with governments in England and Wales, using independent mental health and wellbeing research to amplify the voice of the education workforce.

Sinéad spent the first part of her career at KPMG before moving to leadership roles in the not-for-profit sector. She has worked as an organisational development consultant and a university lecturer and has been a school governor and charity trustee.

Dr. Miriam Rahali is a Visiting Fellow in the Department of Media and Communications at LSE. Her current research focuses on the intersection of children and media with a specific interest in digital literacy and skills development.

As a Teach for America corps member, Dr. Rahali has made a lifelong commitment to expand educational opportunity. She has been drawn to research topics that speak to issues of social inclusion and equality, and has ten years of experience in methods such as survey design, interviewing, content analysis and textual analysis. As a Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy, Dr. Rahali is committed to mentorship, development, and understanding organizational learning as well as the role of media in culture and education.

Dr. Rahali holds an undergraduate degree in Urban Studies and Political Science from Columbia University. She has obtained two Master’s degrees: one in Special Education and the other in Media and Communications. She earned her PhD from the LSE.

Katie Parks is an accredited child counsellor, mental health lead and Thrive lead at a primary school in London. Her previous role was a senior teacher working across a range of mainstream primary settings. Katie is very passionate and knowledgeable about SEMH provisions for children and young people. She was pivotal in helping her school to achieve the Thrive Schools of Excellence Award. Katie has recently published a blog for the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists). Her recent article about the emotional impact of inspections and the importance of psychological safety in schools was published in the BACP Journal. Katie is a key note speaker at mental health conferences.

Nicola Gough is a licensed Thrive trainer in Early Years, Childhood and Adolescence, she is also a Family Thrive Course Leader and Practitioner. Her previous role was a Senior Learning Mentor. She was pivotal in helping her school to achieve the Thrive School of Excellence Award. Nicola is passionate about supporting children and families to thrive! She shares good practise across all schools in her local authority. Nicola is a regular contributor to webinars with Thrive, these have included, supporting Emotionally Based School Avoidance and Whole School Approach to Well-being. Nicola is a key note speaker at mental health conferences.

I joined BACP in December 2023 as Director of Professional Standards, Policy and Research. I’m a Chartered Psychologist with almost 30 years’ experience in professional membership and research organisations in the charity sector, primarily supporting mental health. My specific expertise is in strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement to maximise impactful outcomes. Throughout my career, I’ve helped bridge the gap between evidence, policy development and decision making; influencing Government on a variety of issues relating to mental health.

I know the importance of representing our members and the profession, and being responsive to changes in the world in which therapists work. By ensuring high professional standards and providing robust evidence to influence decision making on key Governmental policies, strategic development and best practice, we can work together to deliver the best possible outcomes for our clients and practitioners across the UK.

The psychological health and wellbeing of people in this country is under considerable pressure.  I have two teenagers living with anxiety, so I see this every day.  Counselling does indeed change lives – but there needs to be greater universality of choice, access and affordability.

My role in education spans over 20 years, with a diverse background including mainstream education, EAL (English as an Additional Language), and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). I have achieved a Bachelor of Education, NASENCo Award, a Certificate in Competence in Educational Testing, and completed a Master’s Degree in SEND and Inclusion. My teaching career began in mainstream schools before I transitioned into roles focusing on supporting students with additional learning needs. My journey led me to a complex special needs school, where I took on the position of Deputy Head Teacher.

Currently serving as a Trust SENDCo and Inclusion Officer, I work across a network of schools, leading initiatives that promote inclusion and support for students with complex needs. My current research project is centered on providing mental health support for non-speaking autistic individuals, an area I am deeply passionate about. I like to say that in my role I am dedicated to ensuring that all learners receive the support they need to thrive, advocating for inclusive education.

Deanne, a psychologist, is Principal and Founder of The National Centre For Eating Disorders; an independent Agency for treatment and professional training of eating disorders and obesity, with branches in many countries around the world. She is a Corresponding Member of the Clinical Division of the British Psychological Society, Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, Psychiatry Section and has membership of many professional organisations including the European Health Psychology Society, the National Obesity Forum and an All-Party Parliamentary Group for Obesity. She has assisted 3 NICE Guidance development processes: for eating disorders, for obesity and bariatric surgery.

Deanne is passionate about prevention and treatment for eating distress. She is also an Approved BPS Trainer, working in both the NHS and the independent sector. She has taught a generation of counsellors how to work with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and obesity. The entry level and advanced Practitioner trainings extend to all health professionals who share her interest in this field. For clients in eating distress, Deanne has developed single-session Breakthrough consultations as well as conventional treatment.

During 26 years of dedicated experience in Primary education, I have cultivated a career marked by leadership, innovation, and a commitment to excellence in teaching and learning. Having held a variety of leadership roles, including headship, I have been deeply involved in shaping educational strategies and driving school improvement at both individual and systemic levels.

Throughout my career, I have embraced opportunities to lead and inspire, whether as a school leader or through extensive school-to-school support initiatives. My ability to identify challenges, implement effective strategies, and foster collaboration has resulted in measurable improvements in teaching standards and pupil outcomes.

A key focus of my work has been supporting the next generation of educators. As a passionate advocate for initial teacher training, I have mentored countless aspiring teachers, instilling in them a love for education and a commitment to lifelong learning. My role as a University lecturer has allowed me to bridge the gap between academia and practical classroom experience, enriching the training and development of new educators.

The well- being of staff, children and parents in primary schools is a cornerstone of creating a positive, thriving learning environment. Addressing mental health needs is no longer optional – it is essential for fostering resilience, engagement, and overall success in schools.

I believe in the transformative power of education to change lives. My career has been driven by a commitment to equity, excellence, and collaboration. Whether supporting individual schools, leading teams, or guiding future teachers, my focus remains on creating opportunities for all pupils to thrive and succeed.

Charlotte is an experienced professional who has extensive experience in supporting and advising senior leaders, governors and SENCos within schools to identify where improvements could be made within their SEND provision, and then provide a targeted action plan and support to make those improvements through coaching and mentoring, training and/or hands on support.

She is a qualified teacher and qualified SENCo who has worked in a wide variety of educational settings, both mainstream and specialist, in all key stages.

Charlotte has a first-class BA (Hons) in Education Studies, Qualified Teacher Status and a Postgraduate Certificate in Special Educational Needs Co-ordination and has gained the National Award for SEN Co-ordination.

Her brother, who has a diagnosis of Down’s Syndrome and autism, has been the source of her dedication to improve the lives of those people with SEND and their families.

Charlotte is a proud ADHDer and was diagnosed just before her 40th birthday.

Charlotte is passionate about providing support to children/young people, professionals and families to enable them to navigate the complicated world of SEND and to ensure that the best and most appropriate outcomes are made and met.

Charlotte is now one of the founding directors of SEND Success UK Ltd and the sister community interest company (CIC), SEND Champions CIC.

SEND Success UK Ltd and SEND Champions CIC offer high quality, bespoke support and advisory services to professionals and settings within the education, health and social care sectors to assist them to provide the best inclusive offer for those with SEND and neurodiversity. Part of this offer is providing high quality training in all things SEND and neurodiverse, as well as accredited mental health and wellbeing training.

She works alongside LAs within the UK to support and advise the early years, primary, secondary and post 16 settings within that area regarding their SEND provision and SEND funding.
She also provides coaching and mentoring to specialist teachers to improve their knowledge and skillset to enable them to provide a more appropriate and bespoke curriculum to students with brain injuries.

Charlotte provides specialist teaching to children and young people with complex SEND, such as those with brain injuries and Pathological Demand Avoidance.

Charlotte is the SEND Governor for a local primary school; this role includes carrying out the Headteacher mid-year review and full appraisal.

Conor Warren is an 18-year-old mental health advocate and founder of Spark UK, an award-winning organisation dedicated to supporting young people’s mental well-being. Conor’s journey began at just 14 when he founded Spark UK. Spark UK creates free lessons, resources and campaigns for thousands of young people across the country. The organisation has collaborated with celebrities including Dame Judi Dench, Dame Emma Thompson and Stephen Fry as well as established organisations such as BAFTA, Place2Be and Beyond.

Conor’s impact has reached far and wide, earning him recognition in prominent publications like Men’s Health, The Guardian, and The One Show. He’s been honoured with prestigious awards such as the Rotary Young Citizen Award and the Prince of Wales award, and even had the privilege of being named a Coronation Champion, attending the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle.

Away from Conor’s work with Spark UK. He’s a trustee, ambassador, and active member of various charitable organizations, passionately supporting causes ranging from mental health awareness to hospice care.