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Professor Neil Frude

Fellow of the British Psychological Society and Fellow of the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy 

Neil Frude is a consultant clinical psychologist and a Visiting Professor in the University of South Wales. He has written a number of books on topics as diverse as family relations, violence and disruption in schools. In 2003 Neil devised a book prescription strategy for mental health support which has since become a national scheme in Wales and England. Libraries in the UK have now issued over 2 million books on the schemes specifically developed to help children and young people. Neil is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society and a Fellow of the British Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapy and in 2014 he was given a British Psychological Society Lifetime Achievement Award. 

 

Dr Mike Davies

Consultant Psychotherapist  

Specialist in child and family therapy and mental health

D. Psych.   PQ Dip.in MH      M. Phil      UKCP Reg. Psychotherapist

Mike is a registered UKCP Psychotherapist who now works as an independent consultant specializing in Child Mental Health and Child Care matters. He worked in CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health services) for more than twenty-five years, as a clinician and Operational Manager, where he was instrumental in setting up the first specialist mental health services for abused children and refugee families in Wales.  He has published articles on subjects such as child abuse, refugee mental health, and ‘looked after’ children, and has contributed to numerous conferences and training initiatives. 

He has been an independent Expert to the Courts for over 20 years and in over 400 cases. Although edging toward retirement he still does consultations and is currently clinical Lead to Barnardos Family Wellbeing Service in Cardiff. 

His longstanding clinical interests are: ‘attachment’ and family functioning; recovery and resilience following trauma; and fostering and adoption.

 

Hayley Smith 

Barnardo’s Children Services Manager and Assistant Clinical Lead for Cardiff Family Wellbeing Service 

Is a service manager at Barnardo's and a BACP registered Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist with over 24 years' experience leading services for children, young people and families. Combining strategic leadership with ongoing clinical practice. Hayley works collaboratively across Health, Education, Local Authorities and the Third Sector to develop innovative, trauma-informed services that strengthen emotional wellbeing and improve outcomes. Passionate about early intervention and whole-family approaches, she believes that lasting change happens when organisations work in partnership and services remain rooted in relationships, compassion and the voices of the people they serve.

 

Sarah Crawley 

Director of Barnardo’s Cymru 

Sarah Crawley provides strategic leadership across Barnardo’s Cymru, with a strong focus on partnership working, service innovation and improving outcomes for children and families. She brings extensive experience of working across sectors to design and deliver services that respond to emerging need and support system transformation. 

 

Katja – Breathe Creative (Family Voice Project) 

Katja from Breathe Creative leads the creative engagement approach within the Family Voice Project, developed through Barnardo’s Family Wellbeing Service in 2026. Working directly with parents, this project uses creative methods to capture authentic lived experience, ensuring that family perspectives meaningfully inform service design, delivery and future development. 

 

Additional Contributors 

Further speakers and contributors from across health, local authorities, education and the third sector will be confirmed, reflecting the collaborative, cross‑system nature of the event. 

This event offers a unique opportunity to step back from organisational boundaries, engage with partners across the system, and help shape more connected, effective approaches to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of families across Wales.