Richard Daniel Curtis is an internationally renowned social, emotional and mental health expert and mentor, passionate about helping millions understand emotions and psychology. His background is a mixture of education, psychology and social care.

Richard’s work is said to have influenced millions across the UK and further afield. Author of the Social and Emotional Skills Assessment, a tool to assess the social and emotional development of children, Richard’s work has had an impact in 5 continents. He has written 13 books and was one of three experts brought in to write the mental health curriculum guidance in England. Richard chairs the Mental Health Awards, the Mental Health in Education and also the National Special Educational Needs and Disability Awards in the UK.

Richard set up The Root Of It group in 2013 to help people get to the root of barriers. Their brands include The Mentoring School, Skills for Progress and the Association for Mental Health in Education.

Richard also runs Tick Accreditation, a simple independent accreditation scheme for companies covering mental health, carbon reduction, modern slavery, corporate social responsibility, sustainability, occupational health and physical wellbeing.

Richard lives in Southampton and is a single parent of two children. In his spare Richard plays in a brass band, dresses as the Gruffalo at events and runs a team of Ghostbusters.

I have had the privilege to work with children and adults with disabilities for over twenty-five years and over the last 18 years I have been very proud to support the SEN children of Cromwell High School, in a number of different capacities and ever-changing roles during my years there.

Based in my home town, located within Tameside , just stone’s throw from Manchester Cromwell has gone from a 60 place school to well over 140 places which is set to grow which has provided me with a wealth of experiences. Prior to making the full-time leap to SEN, I spent two and a half years as a mainstream primary teacher.

During the last fourteen years I have delivered Team Teaching to well over 500 people and have delivered twice that amount again with the course I have written and provided to schools and other services in the local area.  Years of involvement with supporting with Behaviors of all kind and helping both professionals and young people gain an understanding about the world of SEN finally lead to me learning more about mental health. In time I would become a National Leader for Mental Health in Education and advocate for those I work with.  

On a personal note, I am a husband, father, life long learner and still very proud of the fact that I am an in-class practitioner, which provides me with working perspective of the day-to-day realities of working in a busy and demanding education in environment.  

Alison is part of the Senior Leadership team for Maltings Academy, she is a trained Mental Health Lead with over 15 years experience in the sector.