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“Safeguarding Support are a fantastic organisation who provide top quality training and wider safeguarding expertise. Their audit process was thorough and informative with a focus on how to develop a culture of excellence within safeguarding. Safeguarding Support has also delivered DSL training for our staff and the facilitators are very knowledge and are aware of key relevant local and national changes and context.”

Assistant Headteacher, Bradford Grammar School

“Safeguarding reviews have taken place across our 6 Academies. Each review was led by an expert who was thorough, knowledgeable and insightful. A clear report has been provided, post review, outlining steps for us to move forward. We would highly recommend.”

Director of School Improvement, The Woodard Academy Trust

“You have a lovely way of saying something is not right, but then you offer a ‘plaster’ to make it better.”

School Business Manager

“You always get top notch support regardless of which member of the team you contact.”

Huma – Designated Safeguarding Lead

“Thank you very much! The best Safeguarding training I have attended. Very useful and informative!”

Frances – Assistant Headteacher

“They have outstanding knowledge of safeguarding policies and practice. They are also exactly what they-support!”

Headteacher – Primary School

“Safeguarding Support Ltd know their stuff, and they know how to deliver it!”

Ben – DSL – Dixons Allerton Academy

“I feel I now have the confidence in disclosures, and making referrals.”

DSL – Academy School

“Thanks again for yesterday, you’ve taken to the virtual teaching like a duck to water; it was excellent.”

Tom – Assistant Headteacher

“The most informative and engaging SG training I have completed. I have a clear plan on how to further support/enhance SG in my setting”

Karen – Independent Setting

“Very informative course. Lots of new legislation to understand. Small informal setting where free to contribute/ask questions at any time.”

Catherine – Teacher

“Thank you for making this new way of learning so easy to navigate.”

Shara – Teacher

“Yvonne was an exceptional trainer, she was very clear and concise, would speak openly and respond to all questions in detail. I would highly recommend her. Fantastic!The training was thorough with a large range of case studies, information and new material which I did not expect to receive. It was thought-provoking and engaging throughout.”

Jess – Assistant Vice Principal

“Yes, very detailed information regarding other agencies/ partners. Very detailed description of roles and responsibilities of DSLs and whole staff within the Academy. Process and referrals discussed and then given opportunity to explore this practically in ‘real life’ scenario with case studies.”

Kelly – Assistant Vice Principal

“All excellent delivered with good pace, relevant humour and timely breaks, group work etc. No pressure to be right / wrong.”

Denise – Early Years

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Safeguarding Blog

Safer Recruitment in Education: Getting It Right
6th June 2025

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Registered Office:

Floor 1
1 Market Street
Bingley
BD16 2HP

VAT number: 347-4461-86

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Rachel Priestley

Rach has a background in Business Development and Administration, gaining much of her knowledge and experience through her 19 year career with the NHS working within the executive office, community services and public health. 

Before moving on from the NHS, Rach supported the Chief Executive, the Chairman and the Trust Board of a local NHS Care Trust, which managed Children’s Services. Her responsibilities spanned across HR, Finance, Governance, Compliance, Risk, systems and processes, and internal training. Rach also supported the Children’s Safeguarding Lead with safeguarding investigations.

In 2017, she left the NHS to pursue a successful self-employed career supporting business to grow, with flexible business development and administration support, which she continues to do on a part-time basis.

Rach is in house trained, and is passionate about delivering outstanding services and enjoys working as part of the safeguarding team to achieve a common goal.

In her own time, she loves spending time outside, and long walks with the two family dogs. 

Shelley Armstrong

Shelley joined Safeguarding Support in 2020 as an experienced AET-qualified freelance trainer, and now enjoys working across the business, keeping clients as up to date as possible with the ever changing challenges facing safeguarding children in education.

Whilst we aim to simplify safeguarding, Shelley’s passion is to ensure engagement, pride and confidence through training and support. Shelley enjoys applying the competencies gained in different industries and environments to researching, designing, and developing materials for those with the responsibility to safeguard children, and in return has enormous respect for their commitment.

Her experience across the private business sector brings commercial skills to training and her background in psychology and counselling ensure courses are designed and delivered with the learner in mind.

Shelley lives in Yorkshire and enjoys walking her springer spaniels – come rain or shine!

Abigail Havon

Abigail is an experienced and AET-qualified trainer with a strong foundation in safeguarding, having begun her career in the charity sector. During her time there, she served as a regional manager and a key member of the safeguarding leadership team, where she contributed to the development of policies and procedures, designed and delivered training, and supported staff and volunteers working one-to-one with children in schools. 

 

In her current role with Safeguarding Support, Abigail primarily leads the Reflective Supervision programme.  Supervision is a process where through 1-2-1 meetings and in a group setting, structured support is given to safeguarding professionals across England. The programme focuses on helping DSL’s and DDSL’s manage complex workloads, reflect on their practice, build resilience, and promote wellbeing—enabling them to sustain their capacity to protect and support vulnerable children and families.

 

Abigail’s professional journey spans a variety of sectors and business environments, always in roles that demand strong communication, collaboration, and a people-centred approach. She is deeply committed to empowering educators to work collectively as part of a safeguarding team, believing this collaborative approach leads to better outcomes for children and young people.

Based in the Midlands, Abigail enjoys long walks and tending to her ever-growing collection of houseplants.

Carol Stephenson

Carol has spent her entire career teaching in Bradford primary schools. Most recently she was Head Teacher of a large, outstanding, multi-academy trust, inner-city
school where she gained Local Leaders of Education (LLE) status.

Carol is a highly experienced Designated Safeguarding Lead and safeguarding Governor, with an extensive range of expertise, skills and knowledge. It was through this depth of experience that she became a dedicated representative of Bradford Children’s Safeguarding Board. In June 2019, Carol was awarded a Bradford Safeguarding Champions lifetime achievement award 2019 for her continued work in safeguarding the children of Bradford.

Carol is in-house trained and is NSPCC certified to deliver Child Protection and Safeguarding training.

In her spare time, Carol enjoys working on her allotment.