New Director of Programmes at Education Support

Education Support seeks to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the UK education workforce. It currently reaches more than 15,000 people each year, and over 1,000 education workplaces to support staff. Through it’s data and evidence about the health of educators, Education Support is beginning to make an impact with policymakers, moving mental health closer to the centre of education policy-making.

The next phase of the charity’s development is to develop new forms of support for education professionals through inventive and clinically underpinned services. The role of Director of Programmes was created in order to drive forward this programme of innovation, and will be at the forefront of developing, delivering and quality assuring new services for school, colleges and universities.

Society partnered with Education Support to help find the ideal candidate who blended a clinical background or related experience in mental health/wellbeing, with knowledge of programme and service management. In addition to these skills, Society tested candidates through the process for their creativity and capacity to innovate.

The appointed candidate, Faye McGuinness, joins Education Support from Mind where she was Head of Workplace Wellbeing Programmes. Faye impressed with her specific knowledge of workplace mental health, where she has developed a £12m portfolio of person-centred programmes and services at Mind, delivered across a range of sectors including the education sector.

On working with Society, Education Support’s CEO, Sinéad Mc Brearty, commented:

“I have been thoroughly delighted with the whole experience. I felt well supported, and directed when appropriate. The extent of Tanya’s thoughtfulness and inquiry about our needs was incredibly impressive: I don’t know if that’s down to your processes, or an outstanding individual effort, but I really can’t speak highly enough of the experience. I wouldn’t hesitate to use you again or to direct others your way.”