Our Safeguarding team pride themselves on their expert knowledge surrounding Safeguarding, not only the legal, legislative side but the in-school operational practices also.

The team’s extensive background experience as DSLs, Senior Leaders, Subject Leaders and Designated Teachers puts us in the perfect position to review, analyse and evaluate your safeguarding policies, processes and procedures to ensure highly effective practice that allows all children to be safe.

THE AUDIT PROCESS

Our advisers follow a rigorous and collaborative process which looks in depth at your setting’s Safeguarding. This includes observing Safeguarding practices during an on-site visit, speaking to staff and pupils and carrying out clear evaluations of all policies and procedures related to Safeguarding. Each audit is bespoke and will be tailored to meet the specific needs of the setting and their pupils, no matter the size, demographic or location.

For more information contact us here.

“After many years leading safeguarding in school we wanted to ensure that we were doing all that we could to ensure the most effective and impactful practice, given the demands faced by our pupils and their families and the ongoing changes in the safeguarding landscape. We welcomed SFE advisers in for a full day’s audit, having completed significant preparatory work and documentation in advance. As a process this was a most robust and intense opportunity to really drill down into our practice, to reflect on all aspects of safeguarding and to highlight the significant impact that an effective culture and climate of safeguarding creates across the school, contributing positively to outcomes from all angles.

This really was very much a whole school process which allowed us not only to celebrate and affirm our key areas of strength but also to offer some tangible ways forward as to how as a school we can effectively manage the significant increase in the demands placed on schools as the both role of the DSL and also the role of the school in terms of safeguarding is redefined. If you are looking to review your practice I would recommend this audit without reservation. The process was professional, robust and conducted by experts in the field who are committed to supporting schools with all aspects of safeguarding as this arena becomes ever more complex and demanding.”

Jo Daw, Holy Trinity Catholic School

“Lucie and Jo’s visit balanced rigour, professionalism and superb knowledge with kindness, understanding and clarity. They interacted well with both pupils and staff, ensuring they got the best out of all their groups. Their willingness to create a bespoke plan for the audit was welcomed. It was particularly good to work with people from elsewhere in the country who could provide a fresh perspective on our working practice.”

Julian Waterfield, Headteacher, St Anne’s Catholic School and Sixth Form, Southampton

About the Advisers

Jo Perrin is a seasoned Education Adviser with a strong background in safeguarding. She has held key roles as a Designated Safeguarding Lead, secondary school teacher and pastoral lead in the education sector. Facilitating training to enhance the knowledge and skills of professionals working directly with children and young people is her passion.

With a wealth of experience in teaching PSHE and expertise in childhood trauma from her time as a foster carer, Jo is dedicated to supporting organisations that work with children and vulnerable adults on safeguarding issues.

She is actively involved in professional safeguarding groups in the West Midlands and is currently collaborating on a research project with colleagues from the University of Birmingham focusing on FGM awareness within communities. Jo has worked as a West Midlands' Adviser for national PSHE resources, presented at the Sex Education Forum National Members' Event and authored an advertorial for PSM magazine, and articles for both SEND magazine and SecEd.

Jo's expertise extends to training on topics such as Safer Recruitment and Mental Health at Work. She is also a facilitator for the nationally recognised NPQSL and NPQ SENCO qualifications, supporting senior leaders in education. Her contributions to publications and development of resources for RSE provision have been well-received by schools nationally and internationally.

With her extensive experience and dedication to professional development, Jo Perrin is a highly respected figure in the field of education. Her guidance on safeguarding, mental health awareness, personal development, and relationships education is highly valued within the industry.

Lucie Welch – Adviser, Services For Education

Lucie Welch has worked in Primary Education for over 15 years, holding a range of leadership positions including Assistant Headteacher, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Attendance Lead and Designated Teacher for Looked After Children. Having worked across several local authorities and multi-academy trusts, Lucie has developed extensive expertise in safeguarding and supporting children and young people to thrive both academically and personally.

At Services For Education, Lucie is a member of the Safeguarding Team, working with schools, colleges, trusts and other educational settings across Birmingham and beyond. She delivers statutory safeguarding and training, supports organisations through safeguarding audits and reviews and works collaboratively with leaders to strengthen safeguarding culture and practice.

Alongside her safeguarding work, Lucie leads the impactful Health for Life programme across Birmingham, supporting schools to promote healthy lifestyles, wellbeing and positive outcomes for pupils, families and wider communities. Drawing on her extensive school leadership experience, she also contributes to teacher development through her previous work with the SCITT programme and as a facilitator of the Early Career Framework (ECF), supporting trainee and Early Career Teachers to build the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for successful careers in education.

Emma Mudge - Adviser, Services For Education

Emma has more than 20 years' experience in primary education and has worked in a variety of roles, including Assistant Head Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher, and Acting Head Teacher - working at the forefront of school leadership and improvement for the majority of her career.

Emma now works as an Educational Adviser, sharing her experience and knowledge to continually promote and improve the standard of teaching and learning in English, develop and extend the safeguarding culture within schools and to support leaders with their school improvement implementation overall.

Supporting schools with the accuracy of their KS1 and KS2 writing assessments is an important part of her role, using her expertise as a member for the moderation team to inform, train and support teachers and school leaders.

Emma is also part of the team which delivers the Health For Life programme (improving the healthy opportunities for primary aged children) and the NPQSL, where she proudly supports the development of our aspiring leaders in the city.

Claire Steele - Adviser, Services For Education

With over 20 years of experience in primary education, Claire Steele is a respected and committed school leader who has worked across a diverse range of schools and multi-academy trusts.

Her previous roles include Assistant Principal, Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), SENCo, and Senior Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead. She has also worked extensively with partners to support the delivery of a wide range of National Professional Qualifications (NPQs). Claire also holds the NPQSL and NPQLTD.

Claire is deeply passionate about creating safe, inclusive, and nurturing school environments, where the well-being of pupils is at the heart of practice. She brings her extensive knowledge, dedication, and enthusiasm to Services For Education, supporting schools in embedding effective and compassionate safeguarding and SEND practices at every level.

As part of the team of advisers at Services For Education, Claire champions SEND and equality, ensuring these values remain central to all aspects of her work. Most recently, she has developed the newly launched SEND offer from Services For Education. She also delivers high-quality safeguarding training and conducts comprehensive safeguarding audits in schools.