Our Trainers

Aamer Naeem OBE, is an experienced Leadership Consultant and trainer with a demonstrated history of working in the Management Consulting and Leadership Development sector including local authorities and other public sector and voluntary organisations. Aamer’s leadership training programmes are underpinned by his special interest in Leadership theories and models,  Emotional Intelligence & Understanding Self,  Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI),  Vision and Strategic Thinking,  Effective Decision Making,  Conflict and negotiation.

Aamer is an exceptional communicator and has designed and delivered  Leadership and Personal Development Programmes over 15 years for local authorities, Trusts and charities across the UK. 

He has sat as a Fitness to Practice Committee member for the General Pharmaceutical Council and the General Teaching Council.

Aamer was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of 2019 for services to Muslim Community Development

Abdul Siddique is a qualified Social Worker, Community Cohesion expert, trainer and Certified Muslim chaplain. He has Years’ of experience working with BAME communities within multi-agency public and private settings. He is a Home office approved intervention provider working on the government’s channel programme.

Abdul has grass-root social, and youth work experience with particular interests in deprived, disadvantaged, hard to reach immigrant and asylum communities. He has experience with engaging with BAME communities, particularly those of south-Asian Muslim origin. He has particular experience and expertise in community cohesion research, related teaching, training, representation and contribution to the advancement of social inclusion and inter-faith, cultural relations across the public, private and third sector spectrum.

Almas is a registered mental health nurse and has ten years of expertise in providing specialised treatment for adolescents with ill mental health. She has held positions as a clinician, leader, and manager throughout her career. She had undertaken audits to validate practices and received training as a Quality Improvement mentor to aid and enhance practice.

Her career exceeds ten years in the field of integrative counselling. In addition, she has received clinical hypnotherapy certification.

She has expertise in safeguarding children, young people and adults and has vast expertise working with trauma. She provides clinical supervision concerning nursing practice and safeguarding. With her extensive knowledge and understanding, she would evaluate serious incident reports on behalf of the NHS trust to ensure that safeguarding was considered.

She possesses considerable expertise in supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

She is proficient in event coordination and in-person and online training for both sizable and small cohorts.

She is currently enrolled in a master’s programme for nurses

Alison is a highly experienced and energetic person who works innovatively and creatively with vision and commitment to professional and personal development, which she believes is the key to leading an enriched life.  

In 2010 a yearning for a change in direction, she left her role with the NHS to establish her own business. During the last 10 years, she has worked one-to-one with many individual clients, delivered leadership and team programmes for large corporates, as well as other SMB’s. 

Alison has a wealth of experience around human behaviour, coaching, counselling, facilitation and clinical excellence, with both adults and young people.  She has a passion to help others overcome obstacles in their lives.  

She is a highly skilled, and experienced trainer and facilitator, with a commitment to ensuring that all participants have a fun and distinctive experience, and that learning is applied and to the workplace for powerful results.

Alison Smales has a Masters in Social Work and Applied Social Studies and 20 years’ experience in mental health and social work law, policy, practice and management in various London local authorities and mental health teams. 

She has extensive knowledge and understanding of the Mental Health Act and its application in practice and since 2021, has worked as an Independent Social Worker, Expert Witness, and Practice Educator, compiling court reports at the instruction of solicitors, and supervising students and apprentices undertaking social work placements in mental health teams. Alison works as a Visiting Social Work Lecturer and trainer in the Mental Health Act, the Care Act, Safeguarding Adults, and the Mental Capacity Act, as well as devising training for police recruits about the Mental Health Act and the AMHP role.  

She is a Mental Health and Adult Social Care Inspector for the Care Quality Commission (CQC), regulating and inspecting mental health inpatient and community services.  Alison is passionate about learning and development, particularly within practice education, and is a skilled communicator who can add value, knowledge, and expertise to any organisation.  

Allan Johnston is a professionally qualified social care manager, who has worked in both practice and educational roles within social care for over 25 years.

Allan has developed and delivered many professional development events on a variety of topics relating to topics including substance misuse and mental health and its impact on children and families.

Allan has worked with a whole range of practitioners including health and social work staff at all levels and experience. Allan has also written local authority procedures for joint assessment processes.

Andrei Szerard was a qualified barrister for 27 years, specialising in family law at 3 Dr Johnson’s Buildings, Temple.  He has practised in all areas of criminal and family law, conducting cases at the Old Bailey, the Court of Appeal and the High Court in London.

He has extensive experience of, and interest in, child protection and is highly popular and sought after trainer, combining his extensive legal experience and knowledge with an innovative and stimulating training style.

He has delivered over 350 Court Skills, Expert Witness training courses (including Report Writing for Court) and Age Assessment training to social workers throughout England & Wales.

Andrew Gambrill is an independent practice educator with over 40 years of experience in social care. His professional background is in statutory social work with older people, but he has worked across all service groups throughout his career.

Andrew has been instrumental in the development of Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) and Practice Educators in training, serving as a Learning Development Officer for Social Care at a Local Authority. Last year, he spent time as a Teaching Fellow at the University of Warwick.

Andrew has written articles for Professional Social Work and has developed a number of theories in Practice Education. He is registered with Social Work England.

Andy Cross is an MCIPD HR consultant with a breadth and depth of HR and OD delivery through a variety of roles covering both private and public sectors. He has an in-depth knowledge of a mix of strategic and operational delivery expertise across Industrial Relations, Employee Engagement, Learning and Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Policy Development, Reward, Resourcing and Selection.

He also delivers Level 5 CIPD Diploma in HR Management and L&D CIPD diploma programmes. Via the CIPD and Local Enterprise Partnerships, he volunteers his time to schools and colleges across Merseyside and Wirral as a Business Mentor and Enterprise Adviser. Andy is an engaging and popular trainer who has a gift for making ‘dry’ topics easily digestible.

Andy Limbert is a highly motivated and professional individual with knowledge and skills in Fostering, Mental Health, Children & Families and Gambling Harm Reduction. He is a qualified and registered social worker and an experienced trainer and has devised and presented to many Local Authorities and National charities on topics covering Safeguarding, Cultural Competency, Adverse Childhood Experiences and Recording Keeping. Additionally, he supports foster Carers who are involved in allegation. His ambition is to empower those who work with vulnerable children with the skills and knowledge needed to understand trauma, subsequently improving outcomes and life opportunities for those in the care system.

Anita Simpson is a registered nurse and qualified clinical lecturer, with a PGCE teaching qualification and many years of experience in training health & social care professionals in best practice across clinical specialisms. Anita teaches extensively to both NHS and Local Authority social care staff.

She has also undertaken numerous research projects and presented her work at national and international conferences and has also participated in government funded research projects within the NHS. She is very much a ‘people person’ with an interest in interpersonal skills and quality evaluation to provide a better service for service users wherever possible.

Anna Marsden is a high energy, PTLLS-qualified trainer with a background of nearly 20 years training and supporting people to increase and enhance their communications. Anna’s passion for training and digital communications started at Graduate School – in San Diego, California – where she explored Lesbian Identity in Cyberspace and received the Cotton Metzger Scholarship for LGBT Students (2004). She designs and delivers LGBTQ+ awareness training and is an international speaker. Locally, following 7 years as a trustee at The Kite Trust, Anna led the re-design of its corporate training delivery service, to which she is currently an associate LGBTQ+ trainer. Anna holds an EConsultancy & Google Certificate in Digital Marketing, a Hootsuite Certificate and an ITQ in Social Media. Anna thrives on demystifying the emerging digital landscape for individuals and sharing actionable insights to support business development and growth.

For the last 30 years, Annette Barnes has been working in key roles as a Company Director, Manager and Training Consultant and running Leadership and Management, Project Management and Team Leader programmes for Blue Chip companies and for Local Authorities including Liverpool City Council, Sefton Council and St Helen’s Council. Annette’s qualifications include CMI (Chartered Management Institute) Level 7 in Strategic Management & Leadership (including Strategic Planning), a BSc in Organisation & Management Studies and a Certificate in Education and a Further Education Teaching Certificate. An experienced and engaging Coach, she has successfully trained & coached thousands of people in key areas of Leadership & Management, usually to relevant standards, bringing her own experience of high-level management in the workplace to inform and inspire her students.

Ant was a Police detective for thirty years. He spent most of his time working on CID,  Major Crimes and Counter Terrorism. For the last four years of his service he was in training where he had responsibility for interview training across the force. He was an advanced interviewer and interview manager. He deployed to numerous high profile cases including the Oxford grooming gangs, the Football scandal and the attacks in London at Borough Market.

He was a Regional expert on PACE matters and was also heavily involved in the delivery of training for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. He has a background looking at CPIA and RIPA issues. He wrote a regional course for Source handlers and modernized the Tier 5 interview managers course which has been attended by other forces and the Military.

He has a reputation for getting the most of adult learning by making it hard work and enjoyable. He doesn’t pretend that things won’t ever go wrong and students enjoy a relaxed approach and the honesty and humour  of someone who will admit it.

Since leaving the Police he has had his own company and delivers to both private clients and local government on practical investigation and legal issues. Each course is adapted to make it bespoke and realistic for that learning outcome with the emphasis on fair and ethical investigations that stand scrutiny. Away from work he cycles slowly, plays tennis badly and keeps his interview skill set up by living with his wife and teenage daughter.

Bruce Tregoning is an experienced Family Lawyer. Since joining a Chambers in Brighton in 2009 Bruce has developed a wide ranging practice in the Family Courts including the High Court, throughout Sussex, Kent, Surrey and London.

Prior to his call to the Bar as a Barrister in 2009 he was admitted to the Role of Solicitors in 2002. As a Solicitor Bruce specialised in a wide range of family law issues which included both public and private law cases. He then practiced for 6 years as a Child Protection Lawyer as an Advocate Solicitor for a Local Authority on the South Coast; specialising in both public law children act matters and Adult Mental Health cases.

Bruce also regularly undertakes in house training for professionals including social works and social care staff in respect of Children Act matters.

Carmen Colomina is a Social Worker who has over 23 years’ experience in adult social care. Her experience spans from direct work with adults, improvement consultancy, including development and delivery of learning and development programmes in health and social care across the UK. 

Carmen is passionate about Social Work and improving outcomes for individuals in the community, and champions strength-based leadership and practice, legal literacy and person-centred care, ensuring that social care practitioners are supported and recognised for their vital work and seeking to ensure inequality is challenged and address. 

Carmen collaborated with DHSC in the development of The Care Act statutory guidance and has an outstanding level of knowledge and experience in training in the Care Act and its application to practice at operational and strategic level.

Carmen has mentored several professionals during her career and has received the ‘mentor of the year’ nomination as a health and social care mentor to an apprentice undertaking NVQ2 qualification.

She is an experienced change and programme manager who has worked extensively in social care improvement work with Local Authorities including business process redesign and its subsequent training and the development of bespoke programmes of support for implementation, increasing compliance around the duties and principles of the Care Act and maximising understanding around the implications for behaviours – strengths-based approach, person centred care, etc. – and culture change within local authorities and wider stakeholders.

Carmen is a highly regarded expert trainer with exceptional communication skills.

Cathi Bouaouina is an adult care training professional with 18 years of experience working as a  trainer and consultant. Her extensive experience spans hospitals, residential care homes, nursing homes and daycare services both within Social Services and the private sector.

With a solid grounding in operational issues and challenges within the residential care environment Cathi’s courses relate directly to the relevant Care Standard where applicable. As someone who has worked in many differing social care environments, Cathi has an abundance of real life work situations to draw on to bring training to life. Cathi has an ability to communicate at all levels ensuring all learners enjoy the training and attain positive results.

Dr Celia Harbottle is a lecturer and trainer working in the field of Adult Social Care and Health with many years’ experience delivering a wide variety of training courses.

Her background is rooted in practice both in NHS provision and Social Services and she was a Senior Lecturer at both the University of Sunderland and the University of Teesside before deciding to train full time.

She has been involved in the design and delivery of courses to meet specific organisational need and is able to offer an extensive, constantly updated portfolio of training. She is a highly popular trainer because of her enthusiastic, informed and up to the minute knowledge and style of delivery.

Celia has also been recognised by the English Community Care Association (ECCA) as an approved provider of Mental Capacity Act training and is a GSCC (General Social Care Council) registered practitioner.

Cheryl Pinner is a former experienced police detective with numerous in- force, crown court and national commendations for work carried out primarily in family liaison, victim and witness care and investigations.

Throughout her police career, Cheryl liaised with support agencies, assisting with training (victim support, Cruse etc) and gained extensive experience which underpins her training on Family Liaison and Bereavement and Crisis training.

She has been instrumental in setting up and training support volunteers in Cambridgeshire in mass disasters and continues to train regionally ,nationally and internationally in all family liaison and support issues.

Anna has been a qualified social worker since 1997. She has mainly worked with children and families but she also trains and develops adult and mental health social workers.

Anna is currently employed by the Tavistock and Portman as a senior clinical lecturer in social work and social care. She works on the professional doctorate in social work, teaching on the integrated professional doctorate across different pathways (Social work, family therapy psychotherapy/systems, and organisational consultancy).

In her role as senior lecturer she has led the advanced practice module for the past 7 years. This module uses the Work Discussion group model to help social workers develop their therapeutic skills, apply psychoanalytic and systemic ideas to their practice. 

Alongside her role as senior lecturer, she was the curriculum development lead for the practice supervisor development programme (PSDP), a DfE funded, national programme providing training and reflective supervision to practice supervisors in social work, across the UK. She  continues to provide reflective supervision to managers at different levels of the organisation, as part of the course.

Anna works as a consultant and trainer in a private capacity, providing reflective supervision and training on reflective practice groups/models to Local Authorities, psychologists in mental health hospitals and to schools across the UK. 

She is an expert in child protection work and worked as an expert witness in complex court proceedings for more than 10 years. Her professional doctorate was about the emotional and unconscious dynamics in child protection work. She has also published an article and a chapter in a book about reflective supervision for child protection practice. 

Harvey, Anna (2017) “The shadow falls”: Understanding the factors involved in decision-making in local authority children’s services. Professional Doctorate thesis, Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust / University of East London. Full text available

Harvey, Anna and Henderson, Fiona (2014) Reflective supervision for child protection practice – Reaching beneath the surface. Journal of Social Work Practice, 28 (3). pp. 343-356. ISSN 0265-0533

Harvey, Anna (2010) Getting a grip on social work. Journal of Social Work Practice, 24 (2). pp. 139-153. ISSN 0265-0533

Monalesia Earle, PhD,  has been a qualified and registered social worker since the 1980s. She has an extensive background in management, workforce development, recruitment, HR, court work, and mediation. She is particularly interested in supervision and also in working with Newly Qualified Social Workers to assist them in understanding the importance of critical analysis in their assessments. Her professional career has mostly been spent in Children’s and Families Services, and she recently worked as a supervisor of volunteer coaches. 

Monalesia has designed and delivered podcasts and blogs on a variety of social work and cultural topics. She is a proponent of knowledge exchange and believes that every individual has something to contribute, even if they may not think they do. 

She received her PhD in 2016 and has extensive publications in the areas of comics/graphic novels, gender and queer studies, postcolonial and Gothic studies, and feminist studies. She is originally from New York but has lived and worked in the UK since 2004. 

Ed is a qualified Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor (IDVA), holds a BA (Hons) in Social Sciences and specialises in working with female and male victims of Domestic Abuse. He is a practising risk assessor for perpetrators of domestic abuse, with thirteen years’ experience in the field.

Ed remains at the front line and is currently working with male perpetrators of Domestic Abuse and children who have been impacted by this behaviour. Delivering both one-to-one and group interventions in the community, Ed has also worked in the Secure Estate.

He delivers support groups to parents of those effected by their children’s abusive patterns of behaviour. Ed previously worked with parents effected by Child on Parent abuse as a parenting specialist in a Youth Offending Team for eight years. He has been trained to work with children and young people displaying sexually harmful behaviour.

Elspeth Raisbeck is a nurse with over 30 years’ experience, a clinical and corporate trainer and a coach for professional women who want to feel better as they get older.  

She devises and delivers clinical training to Healthcare Professionals, carers, and non-clinicians and has worked in Primary and Secondary Care in the NHS, and in the pharmaceutical industry.  

Frances Millar is a qualified nurse with a wealth of expertise acquired over more than 37 years within the NHS. Her training was completed at esteemed institutions, namely Great Ormond Street and Stoke Mandeville Hospitals. For the last two decades, she has held the respected roles of Head of Service and Senior Manager, focusing extensively on Safeguarding for Mental Health, Learning Disability, in addition to both the Adult and Children population. She has played a crucial role in addressing the broader contextual safeguarding agenda in particular Modern Slavery and PREVENT. Frances also undertakes the role of Chair, Author and Reviewer in Serious Case/ Practice Reviews and Domestic Homicide Reviews.

Throughout her professional journey, she has demonstrated exceptional proficiency in the development, delivery, and evaluation of training programs, with a specialisation in various Safeguarding domains. Her areas of expertise encompass Safeguarding Children and Children at Risk, Safeguarding Adults and Adults at Risk, Violence Against Women Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence, Older People Domestic Abuse, Section 5 Professional Allegation of a Person in a Position of Trust, Safeguarding Enquiries, Designated Safeguarding Person, Contextual Safeguarding, Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, and Deprivation of Liberty concerning individuals aged 16/17 years. Furthermore, her commitment to excellence is exemplified by her ability to design customised training modules that accommodate diverse learning styles. She has incorporated real-life incidents and addressed specific learning needs, undertaking this task both independently and in collaboration with colleagues from various partnership agencies.

She has the following qualifications: –

MSc/ Postgraduate Health and Social Care Leadership

BSc (Hons in Health Studies to include Leadership, Quality, Law in Healthcare and Research)

Diploma in Trauma Risk Incident Management

Diploma in Professional Practice

Registered General Nurse

Best Interest Assessor/ Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards/ Mental Capacity Act – University of Manchester

English National Board Paediatrics

Public Service Management Wales Course for Leaders – Welsh Government

Gemma Hunt is a senior lecturer and trainer with 12+ years experience of working within the children and families sector. Her professional background is in statutory social work with children and families, and she has worked extensively in duty and assessment, youth justice, child protection and PLO/court work.  Gemma is a NAAS Accredited Children and Families Practitioner and an experienced Practice Educator and Assessor. 

Gemma has been instrumental in the development of Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) and Practice Educators in training. She has worked closely with workforce development where she was responsible for overseeing the delivery of projects such as Step Up to Social Work and the Social Work Apprenticeship Degree. 

In recent years Gemma has been involved in the design and delivery of social work programmes and has undertaken the role of Course Director. Gemma is a popular academic and ensures her teaching and training is research informed. She is in the final stages of completing her doctorate and her research interests remain within the field of child protection. 

Gemma is registered with Social Work England. 

Glynis has over 30 years working in Childrens Social Care and the wider Children and Adult Sector including within Health, the Prison Service and voluntary sector. She has carried out Leadership roles at a Senior Level for over 14 years and is a qualified social worker. Glynis now works as an Independent Safeguarding Consultant. She has an interest in workforce development particularly in a multi-agency context. Strong multi-agency and multi-disciplinary working is vital to identifying and responding to the needs of children and families. Wherever possible she enjoys bringing together practitioners from a range of backgrounds to develop their learning and skills together.

Hayley Tuffin is a registered social worker with over 25 years experience working with child and adult mental ill health. 

She has extensive child protection experience,  having also worked as a systemic family therapist in multi-disciplinary teams.  

Hayley has experience of working with teenagers who self harm, behavioural issues, early onset psychosis, undiagnosed learning difficulties and social/communication issues, intervention and with refuges and asylum seekers, therapeutic work with Looked After children, individually & with foster families; parenting work and parenting assessments, working with female victims of domestic violence. Working with children who have been sexually abused, offering individual and family work, looking at issues of risk assessment, mother/daughter relationships, and abuse of adult parents.

Helena Cava is a self-motivated, committed and professional senior adult social care consultant and trainer, with extensive experience within the statutory and independent sector of staff management, project based consultancy, training and interim management of operational services.

With a sound knowledge base of the social care sector, skills include project management, research, the designing and delivering of training modules, detailed analysis, investigation, and assessment.

With a background in health based social work, Helena has worked in a number of diverse local authority settings and carried out organisational reviews and projects.  She remains a registered social worker.

James Upton is a qualified Social Worker and a member of the international body Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). He worked in the drugs and alcohol field for 10 years focusing on adult treatment, children in care, young offenders and as a manager in the NHS working with children and young people in treatment. Until 2016 he worked as a practicing Social Worker and Safeguarding trainer with a key focus on children, young people and their families. James has also lectured at University on Health and Social Care. James is now a Freelance trainer working for a range of organisations including the NSPCC, Alcohol Change UK and In-Trac. He also provides a portfolio of private training in Motivational Interviewing and Safeguarding.

Training has formed a key part of James’s portfolio over the last 24 years in his work across 5 different local authorities. Since 1999 he has delivered Safeguarding training and Motivational Interviewing training to early Years, Schools and Colleges, Alcohol and Drugs workers (children and adults), Youth Workers, Teachers, Social Workers, Multi-Agency staff involved in safeguarding and Youth Offending Team staff.

At the heart of his approach to training and consultancy is his compassionate approach and the belief that a collaborative approach to working with people to affect change in their lives works best.

Jess Jaffey is an engaging trainer in equalities and diversity, with ten years of working within youth and community settings.

With a background in theatre, Jess infuses her training sessions with creativity and dynamic energy, making complex topics accessible and engaging.

As a facilitator, Jess has worked with a broad range of organisations including, the NHS, local authorities, Cambridge University, Centre for Mental Health, senior staff at The National Lottery Fund,  and educators from all settings, to design and deliver impactful training on equalities issues. 
Jess’s approach is client-centred, ensuring that each session is tailored to the specific needs of the participants.

Her background in coaching, mental health, and yoga further enhances her holistic approach, enabling her to create a safe and inclusive environment where meaningful learning and transformation can occur. Jess’s passion for equality and empowerment is evident in every aspect of her work, encouraging participants to explore and challenge their own perspectives while contributing to positive societal change.

Jo is an experienced Social Worker, Manager and Social Work Academic in Children’s Social Care. Jo has extensive experience of training in Children’s Social Work both pre-and post-qualifying levels. Her courses are of the highest quality and re enriched with examples from her vast experience across the Children’s Social Care. 

John Keegan is an experienced Mental Health professional with an extensive and varied job profile at senior level in health and social care. He has worked consistently in Mental Health since 1982 and for the last 18 years has worked in an operational management capacity, being involved in the development of existing and new services both within the NHS and the independent sector.

As a Clinical Director and Hospital Manager, and throughout his Mental Health career, Safeguarding has underpinned all of his work and as a Hospital Manager from 2013-15 John was responsible for managing a large scale review of services by Staffordshire safeguarding. Similarly, staff training to the highest quality has formed a key part of his work as a Manager.

John has been delivering freelance training since 2017 on topics including Safeguarding Adults and Children (at all levels), the Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, DoLs, Dementia Care and other mandatory training topics.

John has outstanding communication skills and a gift for conveying sometimes complex information to a wide audience in easily digestible form and retaining their attention. He has received consistently excellent feedback in his sessions.

Joy is a Qualified Social Worker, currently practising as an Independent Social Worker and Trainer.  Joy started her professional career in children’s safeguarding services where she spent 10 years before moving into the fostering sector.  Joy is an experienced social care and fostering manager with a strategic approach to service development.  She has a particular interest in enhancing the quality of supervision in Social Work.

Joy became an Independent Social Worker in 2019.  Alongside delivering training; Joy undertakes fostering and parenting/PAMS assessments; she is a fostering panel chair and IRO, and works with foster carers through allegations procedures.

Joy develops and delivers training to Social Workers, Managers, Foster Panels and other Social Care professionals on a range of subjects including supervision skills, parenting assessments and children’s participation.  She provides training to fostering services and their foster carers in many areas such as radicalisation, encouraging independence, and supporting family time.

Julia Stot is an experienced Registered Nurse with over 45 years’ experience.

She has gained a wealth of knowledge over the years to which she can apply to my training. Julia has been teaching staff for the last 20 years.

Julia loves teaching and training staff new skills that empowers staff to deliver evidence-based care.

Julie Perrigo is a dedicated mindfulness teacher, with a passion for mindfulness based stress management and conscious leadership.  She brings to her mindfulness experience, over 25 years of leadership, coaching, analysis, training and solution delivery, gained in the field of I.T software development.

Juliette Barnes has over twenty years’ experience of direct work with children, young people and adults including those with disabilities and complex health care needs.

Following completion of her psychology degree,  Juliette specialised in Child Psychology.  She became Head of Service at White Lodge Centre and was responsible for numerous services including: residential short breaks, an extensive activities programme, family link scheme and domiciliary service, nursery education, therapeutic services and out of school activities.

In addition, Juliette became an advisor to a Local Safeguarding Board, with a particular focus on the impact of neglect on child development, both for disabled children and those who develop “typically”.

Creative and flexible, Juliette has been providing training for multi and interagency groups for over 12 years and for In-Trac over 9 years,  She regularly delivers training on a variety of topics relating to Child Development, Safeguarding, (both adults and children) Direct Work and Disability.

Justine Caroll is a specialist safeguarding trainer and specialist investigator in cases of child abuse. She is a former police officer, where she served 15 years with the Cheshire Police. She specialised in investigating cases of child abuse and was involved in numerous complex cases. Justine was also a foster carer for 15years, specifically fostering children with complex issues, in particular adolescents who sexually offend.

Justine is part of the National Safeguarding Team for British Gymnastics; her role includes investigating safeguarding and child protection concerns within the sport as well as delivering their safeguarding training. She works nationally and internationally delivering safeguarding from basic to designated lead officer, Achieving Best Evidence, forensic interviewing of child victims and witnesses of abuse. She has worked for the Falklands Police delivering the ABE forensic training to the police and social services. Just also works internationally with British Schools overseas, training staff on all aspects of safeguarding and child protection.

Justine’s training is always highly evaluated.

Kane Barnacle is an Adult Social Worker with a professional background that includes 16 years as a statutory Advocate and regional service manager. He has supported thousands of people to ensure their views are considered, and their rights respected. He has considerable experience as a Court of Protection litigation friend and Rule 1.2 Representative. He acts as an advocate for people who lack the mental capacity to make specific, and sometimes life-changing decisions.  Kane is also a qualified Best Interest Assessor and is currently studying an Advanced Masters (AMIL LLM) in International Human Rights Law at The University of Law. Kane’s socio-legal experience ensures the highest standards of quality and professionalism. 

As a trainer, Kane has extensive experience delivering training to both social care practitioners as well as students. He specialises in matters relating to Adult Safeguarding, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (including Schedule A1 & AA1), the Care Act 2014, ECHR/Human Rights Act 1998, Health and Social Care Act 2012, Equality Act 2010, and matters before the Court of Protection. Professional observers are impressed by the manner in which his preparation and responsiveness enables the contributions of all present: taking into account different learning styles and abilities. He maintains an inclusive approach that supports the entire group and his training is exceptionally well evaluated. 

Karen Livesey is a qualified teacher, youth worker and experienced trainer. She began her professional career as a Primary School teacher in London before becoming a Senior Youth Worker and Advanced Practitioner for Lancashire Youth and Community Service. A management post she held for 26 years. With increasing issues identified in child sexual and criminal exploitation Karen pursued specialist training in child sexual exploitation, safeguarding, modern day slavery and sexual health. She completed Advanced training in Sexual health, Advanced Safeguarding, Adverse Childhood Experience training, Advanced training in Child sexual exploitation, and a PGCE at UCLan in “Leadership and Management in Social Work and Social Care”.

Karen is an outstanding communicator and her courses are consistently highly rated by those attending.

Lara Timms is an experienced social worker and senior leader with over 12 years in Social Work Practice. Lara has worked both as Principal Social Worker and Head of Quality and Assurance. Lara’s practice experience spans safeguarding, children in care, adoption, fostering, quality assurance and practice improvement. Lara has a keen interest in trauma-informed practice, transitions, care leavers, care planning and assessment. She is trained in Level 1 and 2 Dyadic Developmental Psychology and infuses this approach to all of her training.

 Lara has presented at seminars and conferences, regionally, nationally, and internationally. Lara promotes a learning culture within her organisation responsible for the delivery of training responding to emerging learning needs as identified in audit, and ensuring that staff are up to date with developing theory, legislation and practice developments. Lara has a sound theoretical understanding, in addition to significant direct practice experience. She is dynamic in her approach and ensures a variety of approaches to engage learners.

Linda is a qualified counsellor with a MA in Counselling Psychology. She is also a qualified teacher who has taught counselling in a college setting and has set up and managed a counselling service. As an accredited i-act practitioner, she has delivered Understanding/ Managing and Promoting Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing which are accredited courses by the Royal College of Psychiatry. Linda is also a qualified coach and mentor with the West Midlands Coaching Pool.

Lisa Edmunds is one of the North-West’s leading family law barristers.

She brings over two decades of experience and expertise in high-level and complex cases. Lisa has the ability to bring strategic planning and goal-setting skills to cases and has proven value as a strategic advisor. She has a reputation for being tough and tenacious in the courtroom however, recognises that all clients and cases are different and sometimes alternative approaches are needed to achieve the end result. Lisa has a proven ability to work collaboratively within a multi[1]disciplinary group.

Lisa travels around the country appearing at all levels of the Family Court. She undertakes work in all aspects of relationship breakdowns but specialises in cases relating to children and finances.

For Talking Life, Lisa delivers Childrens and Adults Court skills training as well as Report Writing for Court.

Her training is highly evaluated:-

“Excellent training”

“Excellent training, would highly recommend to others”

Dr Lisa Watkins is a systemic social work practitioner and consultant. Qualifying as a social worker in 2007, Lisa worked in statutory children’s teams and then moved to the third sector. Her practice evolved while completing the Intermediate Level course in Systemic Family Therapy and her focus was working therapeutically with victims/survivors of childhood sexual abuse and rape.

 Lisa joined an American study abroad university in London in 2016, and as a senior manager she advised and worked directly with students who experienced difficulties while abroad.  She studied for a professional doctorate in Advanced Practice and Research: Social Work and Social Care at the Tavistock & Portman, London, completing her doctorate in 2023. Her studies included using psychoanalytic, systemic theory, relationship-based approaches when working with individuals and families.

Lisa works independently, commissioned by several stakeholders. Her current work involves introducing systemic family therapy ideas to children services, providing a restorative approach to supervision as part of Ofsted improvement planning, providing independent supervision, parenting assessments and facilitating workshops. Her passion, working alongside families, is maintained by a case holding role in a family support team.

Mark has worked across social care for nearly 3 decades and has been a qualified children’s social worker since 2005. Within this time he has worked across statutory child care settings in a number of  roles. Mark has also  managed in Youth Justice, third sector (NSPCC)  and within the  health service, the latter as the  Strategic Head of Safeguarding (Children), for the largest health board in Wales . Mark is also a former Senior head of service within  Wrexham council’s children services, where he worked with regulators, senior leaders  and politicians, in  leading the council’s  workforce to improve services for Children and young people across Wrexham as part of a accelerated improvement plan.  Mark now works as an independent safeguarding consultant, currently working with a number of statutory and third sectors clients. Mark still practises, currently Chairing Child Practice Reviews, as well as a  number of Looked After Children Reviews  and Child Protection conferences across the North Wales region. 

Mary Anne Crook has an NHS Health Promotion background where she delivered training for 20 years as part of her job, taking early retirement in 2012. Now an independent trainer, she delivers Pre Retirement, Mental Health & Bereavement courses to clients in health, social services, local authorities, the voluntary sector, emergency services, housing organisations, youth organisations etc.

As well as herself experiencing early retirement, she has trained with the Pre-retirement Association of Great Britain and has delivered advice to many people planning to retire throughout the public sector.

Mary Anne is also an accredited ASIST and SafeTALK trainer, delivering internal trainings in suicide intervention skills and has developed and delivered courses on mental health awareness and stress management.

Matt Joyce is a hugely experienced trainer who offers an extensive portfolio of topics, developed and delivered over more than 13 years.

A qualified teacher, he has worked in further and higher education with evening, part-time and full-time students and in a vast range of public and private sector organisations delivering high quality training to build the personal and professional development of people in many disciplines. This means Matt is able to relate to the breadth of circumstances learners are likely to find themselves in.

Matt’s wide range of training courses include everything from Customer Service and Holding Difficult Conversations to Dealing with Conflict and Reputation Management on Social Media.  Matt’s training videos have been used by individuals across the UK, USA and 23 other countries worldwide.

Onika Moses is a Homeless Support Worker working with families with mental health to support them find accommodation, education and employment . Onika was a teaching assistant for 8 years working alongside children 3-11 years old and found herself supporting and helping children/youth emotionally during this time. Working with young people, Onika realised how mental health affects their education and the stigma that exists in society. Out of interest, to gain knowledge in wellbeing and mental health Onika gained a Certificate in Awareness in Mental Health Problems.

Onika is studying to become a Counsellor, to empower people in crisis and help them seek understanding and enhance their wellbeing.  Onika is a trained and qualified Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor and licensed by MHFA England. Onika takes pride in her work and ensures a high standard in delivering Youth Mental Health First Aid training. Onika’s goal is to empower people with the knowledge and skills to support a young person in crisis.

Parminder is a Mental Health Nurse with over 20 years of experience in the NHS. She has a master’s degree in working with personality disorders and expertise in domestic violence, acute mental health, and protection. She has successfully completed “Domestic Homicide Chair Training” from Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AFAFDA) and Safeguarding Adult Reviews using the Social Care Institute of Excellence Learning Together model.

Parminder is the Director of Safeguarding for an NHS Trust and a Safeguarding Trustee for a mental health charity for adults.

Parminder has worked with multiple agencies and families, facilitating learning reviews and delivering training on Acute Mental Health, Protecting Children, and Domestic Abuse

Paula Thompson-Butler has over 24 years’ experience of direct work with adults within the probation service and adult social care as a qualified social worker. 

Since 2015 Paula has combined her love of front-line practice with training social care practitioners.  Her enthusiasm and energy for all things related to social care practice enables her to support delegates to understand how legislation applies to everyday practice.  Her passion for legally literate and values-based practice is contagious, and her desire to embed this not only enables safe practice but promotes the focus on supporting adults that access services to have as much choice and control as possible over the decisions they need to make about their lives. 

Paula was one of the first trainers to support adult social care with the transition to the Care Act (2014) and her expertise on this Act has enable not only outstanding professional practice, and impactful training but to also work as a freelance consultant with many local authorities. 

Paula has over eight-years of experience of training around the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and of course no training is complete without a great exploration of strengths-based, person-centred practice.  

Pete Feldon specialises in the Care Act and is the author of The Social Worker’s Guide to the Care Act 2014. He provides training based upon his book and he uses additional content developed for the revised edition that is due to be published in 2023.

His approach to his writing, training and policy development is informed by his background of working in social care as a social worker, trainer, manager and policy developer. As Chair of the BASW England Adults Group he has been involved in consultations on adult social care at a national level.

His aim is to enable social workers and their managers to improve their legal literacy through a better understanding the legal framework within which they make professional judgements and apply their expertise, and to suggest how best to make defensible decisions. The content of his training draws heavily on the available evidence from Ombudsman findings and judicial reviews.

With the advent of the new CQC quality assurance role in relation to the application of the Care Act, Pete has developed his training approach to assist local authorities in reviewing local practices. His material takes account of the changes to the Care Act brought about by Health and Care Act 2022.

Mostly he delivers training sessions to registered social workers, but can adapt the content for people who are not social workers who want to understand the detailed application of the Care Act

Peter Henderson is a flexible, engaging and dynamic trainer able to deliver complex concepts in an easily digestible way. As well as a White Ribbon Ambassador, he is, and continues to be, a frontline practitioner working as a Probation Officer.

He specialises in working with men who present a high risk of harm to others and have diagnosed or probable Personality Disorder (PD).

Peter’s work with perpetrators of Domestic Abuse involves one-to-one psychotherapeutic interventions delivered through supervision, referrals into other agencies such as children’s services, mental health, substance misuse and internal/external specialist programmes to address Domestic Abuse.

All of these are MAPPA managed and some are active MARAC and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) cases. Peter is able to use his current practitioner experience to inform his Domestic Abuse training courses.

Ray Douglas is an experienced Desist ace & Behaviour Management Specialist, Youth Offending Worker and dynamic Trainer with a very successful track record of working within the Criminal Justice System.

Ray has wide expertise and success in the delivery of Learning, CPD and training for practitioners within the public and third sectors and success in managing, mentoring and increasing positive outcomes for both staff & service users working to reduce systemic youth violence.

A prolific Public Speaker, as well as Trainer & Seminar Leader, Ray launched ‘Gangology’ a CPD workforce development programme for practitioners working with young people at risk of life-threatening behaviour relating to Gun, Knife & Gang Culture.

Ray draws on his years’ of experience in this field to deliver exceptionally high quality and evaluated Gang Culture training for Talking Life.

Robin Watts is an experienced independent safeguarding trainer and consultant specialising in delivering child protection training to local authorities, schools, charities and other organisations nationally and internationally. He has delivered safeguarding training in over 80 countries and is a former Metropolitan Police detective, where he spent 10 years working in the child abuse unit, as a child abuse investigator and instructor/trainer.

Robin delivers training to police officers and social workers on all aspects of child abuse investigations, including courses on Forensic Interviewing of Children (ABE), Joint investigation course, Section 47 C.A. 1989 (significant harm) training, assessment skills training, radicalisation, FGM, forced marriage and the like. He has delivered child abuse awareness training to staff who have contact with children in numerous organisations such as schools, charities and volunteer organisations as well as delivering advanced training to ‘Designated’ staff. Robin specialises in dealing with child abuse investigations in the context of international schools all over the world as well as advising on Child Protection Procedures, Policies and Practices.

He predominately trains in children’s and adults safeguarding courses at all levels.

A gifted and popular trainer, Robin’s courses are consistently highly rated.

Sara Bond qualified as a Social Worker in 2000 and since then has worked within a number of different social work settings. She has worked as a front line Social Worker and then Manager within Children’s Health and Disability services and within Children’s Safeguarding teams.

Since becoming an Independent Social Work Consultant in 2011, Sara has undertaken independent assessment work, such as fostering and adoption assessments and investigations into allegations of professional misconduct. Sara is an experienced social care trainer and lecturer, having undertaken training for  Local Authorities and Universities.

Sara has created and delivered a number of training programmes / lectures / CPD courses on topics including ‘Working with Resistant Families’, ‘Attitudes and Values’, ‘Social Work law’ and ‘Effective and Efficient Social Work Practice’.

Sara is passionate about the importance of lifelong learning and having time out of busy working lives to have the opportunity to reflect, learn and develop as practitioners.

Sarah Clay is a qualified and experienced consultant trainer bringing expertise in: training and facilitation of managers, staff, volunteers and young people; organisational strategic development; anti discriminatory practice; and action research and project evaluation.

Over the past 33 years she has worked in and with a broad range of social care, housing. Community and children’s/youth organisations within the statutory, voluntary and independent sectors.

Since 2002 a major part of Sarah’s freelance work has involved a lead role delivering large/small-scale training programmes for the Adult Social Care workforce in Local Authorities and Mental Health Trusts.  Recent training commissions have focussed on: the Care Act (2014); Strengths-Based Approaches; Outcomes Focussed Assessment & Support Planning; and Legal Literacy/Defensible Decision-Making.  She also delivers training for a large national children’s charity.  She regularly designs and delivers bespoke learning and development programmes, accredited and unaccredited, to social work, adult’s and children’s services and supported housing staff.

Sarah McEntee is a highly motivated and passionate trainer with over 10 years’ experience within Local Authority Social Care areas of Child Protection, Looked After Children and Provider Services. As a qualified social worker and social work manager in the North West, a strong focus on restorative practice, partnership working and permanency planning for children underpins all teaching on offer. Sarah an Honours Degree in English and Masters in Social Work promoting analytical and concise evidence in assessment writing is also a key theme is all areas of training delivered.  Sarah has extensive experience of delivering training to foster carers and parents of children suffering the impact of trauma as well as those at risk of contextual safeguarding concerns independently and also in partnership with the NHS. As an active statutory social work manager, Sarah remains close to grassroots practice and has the ability to link theory and research to real life social work practice.

Sean Liddell is an engaging and versatile Consultant, Coach and  Trainer, with over 15 years’ experience.  Sean delivers innovative training courses to provide sustained personal growth and professional development. Extremely people-focused, Sean has always strived to drive the development of colleagues and clients to the highest level achieving satisfaction when they achieve company and personal aims. A natural motivator, Sean utilises his coaching skills to challenge and embed learning to effect positive behavioural change.

Sophie Gilbert is an experienced Social Worker of ten years and a NAAS Accredited Practice Supervisor. Sophie has worked within a number of different social work settings and services, from front line safeguarding teams, to MASH and also specialising in Domestic Abuse Responses.

Later in her career she moved into the Learning and Development of social workers and children’s services staff with her working roles focusing more on Practice Improvement. Over that time Sophie’s training has been recognised to have contributed to the improvement of services by OFSTED, within Community Care and her work was highly commended at the MJ Local Government Achievement Awards in 2019. She has delivered and presented seminars in large events such as COMPASS and Community Care Live.

Sophie has promoted a learning culture within organisations and has ran successful ASYE programmes in learning and development for Newly Qualified Social workers. She has experience in working with children in care to ensure their voices are heard in the implementation of learning and development as well as service delivery.

During 2019 Sophie has worked as NAAS coordinator in the biggest Local Authority in Europe developing NAAS preparation workshops, revision tools and supported candidates through their accreditation.

Soyeb is a Social Worker/BIA/AMHP and has worked in the health and social care sector for 25 Years and has worked within Voluntary and Public Sector, having worked with Young Carers, Fostering Leaving Care and primarily in Mental Health.

He is a Social Work lead for two large NHS Trusts.

Soyeb is passionate about Social Work, its values and ethics and how the profession gives financial gain but most importantly spiritual gain and satisfaction. 

His area of expertise is mental health and working with cases where there are issues around culture/religion. He supervises qualified Social Workers but also look after Newly Qualified Social Worker and organise and facilitate training to support the social workers in our organisation to maintain their CPD. He also supports with teaching at the local university and facilitate research projects.

Stella Camara has worked in Health & Social Care for over 18 years, the last eight years, were at Senior Management level in the adult care sector where she also worked as a mentor and trainer.

After gaining training qualifications, Stella became an independent trainer in January 2016 and has delivered countless courses on a wide range of subjects, particularly accredited first aid at all levels.  Stella is passionate about providing people with the knowledge they need to “do better” and she has a mission to eradicate bad practice.

Her approach is based on facts, hands on practice, regulatory and legal framework. She tries to strike a balance of “Show and tell” by using relevant examples, demonstrating and explaining the repercussions of bad practice.  Stella is adaptable when delivering training and tailors it to the needs of her target audience using various tools to ensure that learning styles are catered for.  This makes for variety in each training session, maximizes impact and specifically meets the needs of the service.

“This is the best MCA training I have ever been on” – Adult Social Worker, London

“Exquisite training!” – Adult Social Worker, London

“Best training I have ever had. Extremely interesting” – Adult Social Worker, London

Steve Davies is a qualified lawyer and a former police officer who was responsible for the  management of safeguarding investigations.

Steve has provided training on safeguarding locally and nationally to a wide range of statutory organisations and has also worked in USA carrying out research into domestic abuse and effective interventions.

Steve’s front line practitioner experience informs and enhances the delivery of his training courses to a very high level.  Steve regularly delivers training for Talking Life on Modern Slavery and Trafficking.

Susan was qualified as a family lawyer in 1989.

Whilst practicing both in London and in Surrey, most of her time was spent advising clients in the office,  and as an advocate in court.  She ran a successful family law practice specialising in child and adult safeguarding.

Susan was also a member of the Family Law Association for over 15 years.

Whilst working for various family law practices in London and in Surrey area, Susan was actively involved in championing work around women and their children subject to Domestic Abuse.  Susan was a member of a steering group for research conducted by Dr Lorraine Radford in 1996 and for 3 years was the Vice Chair of the Surrey Domestic Violence Strategic Policy Group.

Susan also developed and delivered the national training for Co-Ordinated Action for Domesic Abuse (CAADA), now SafeLives, for the first Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVA) role throughout England and Wales.  She contributed to the development of the National Standards for Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence for Women’s Aid.

Susan left private practice in 2004 to set up and develop a consultancy focused training in health and social care law and practice  She is passionate about legal literacy, helping non lawyers interpret the legal rules and apply them into practice.  She is passionate that staff not only do things right in accordance with the law, but to do the right thing. 

Since 2004 she has worked as an independent consultant/trainer, written policy and operating procedures.  She is currently retained by a private London hospital as a safeguarding subject matter expert. She has also designed, developed and delivered training courses incorporating knowledge and skills in England and Wales for a hundreds of clients to include local authorities, ICB’s, Trusts, Probation, Home Office and Charities.   Her feedback is consistently outstanding.   

Susan is specialised in developing and delivering training on the Mental Capacity Act 2005. In 2009 she designed and developed the qualification accredited by the Secretary of State, at Masters level 7, for Kingston University in Surrey for the Best Interest Assessors under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.  She currently delivers this qualification at Teeside University in the North East.  

More recently Susan conceptualised, developed and delivered both the Executive Leadership and Clinical Leadership in Safeguarding courses commissioned by NHS England.  This work was recognized with an award at the HSJ Awards in 2020.

Susan is a dedicated, focused and passionate professional, with a firm value base.

Tammy has over twenty-five years’ experience of working in social care.  She has a diverse portfolio and a very respected track record of delivery and leadership.  

Tammy is a qualified and registered social worker and practises as an independent social worker.  She also teaches and trains across the UK as qualified teacher in higher education.  Tammy is also commissioned by organisations as a specialist management consultant in social work and quality management practice and has a strong track record in supporting many local Authorities and businesses with Adult Social Care Transformation, workforce development and cultural change.

Tammy also has experience of leading national teaching and workforce development programmes in social work and social care, supporting the Department of Health and Social Care and the Welsh Government with several learning and development initiatives and national workforce development plans.  She has also authored and co-authored various publications on social and health care. 

Tammy was very close to her grandmother who she became a carer for when her grandmother developed Alzheimer’s Disease and she is passionate about learning from lived experience and expertise.

Tammy’s hobbies are dog walking her two Border Terriers, enjoying her garden, reading and outdoor swimming.

Tim Curtis is an experienced safeguarding trainer, former police officer and qualified trainer with a  Certificate in Education.  As a Detective Sergeant he ran the Specialist Investigation Skills training team in an English Police force and now trains social workers in both Children’s and Adult Services to interview in compliance with Achieving Best Evidence In Criminal Proceedings (ABE). In this capacity, Tim has delivered more than 60 ABE training courses in recent years on behalf of Talking Life,  to more than 20 local authorities in the UK as well as working with both the United Nations and UNICEF overseas.

He has experience of both residential social work having worked in Children’s homes in both the UK and overseas as well as more contemporary experiences working in a police child abuse investigation unit.

Tim has also written the draft Code of Practice for Chief Officers of Police regarding the investigation of Child Sexual Abuse investigations. This has involved consulting with Multi-agency groups and Third Sector organisations across England and Wales. The Code was ready for public consultation in Summer 2018 prior to being presented to the Home Secretary, once the public’s observations have been considered and actioned as necessary. This Code will have Statutory ‘teeth’.

Tim has a considerable reputation for high quality training. His attention to detail in his courses is very highly regarded by commissioners and course participants alike.

Tim Price is a Microsoft Certified Trainer, Microsoft Office Specialist/Master/Expert and CompTIA Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+) with experience in the design and delivery of training to commercial and community user groups with regards to packaged and bespoke software.

Tim specialises in the training of Microsoft Office for versions 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and Office 365 at all levels. His experience includes the design and delivery of training in a variety of formats to commercial user groups and formal classroom style training, to community and public groups. I am passionate about training and renowned for my approachable, relaxed style of delivery. Tim gets tremendous satisfaction from facilitating in the development of other people.