Marie's Story

I established TheSafeguardingCop because I am passionate about supporting organisations with their safeguarding challenges. Safeguarding has been my life’s work and over the years, I have noticed the same trends when it came to the challenges that organisations faced with their safeguarding approach. 

So many of the organisations I have worked with have felt ill-prepared when working within the multi-agency framework – most struggling to navigate their partner agencies' systems. Because I have such a profound and unique experience of working within these systems, it became clear that my skills were in desperate need, and I felt that this was something that I had to offer. 

Before establishing TheSafeguardingCop, I worked as the Head of Safeguarding & Safeguarding Risk Consultant for Zurich Insurance UK. This was a pioneering new role, where I was the 'go-to' person within the organisation for all matters relating to strategic and operational safeguarding. I have a thorough understanding of legislation, government strategy and statutory guidance that relate to safeguarding children and adults at risk. I provided expert advice for the organisations external stakeholders and customers, in all matters relating to safeguarding - assisting them in implementing best practice, policies and procedures. I worked creatively and proactively with organisations, consulting and advising on innovative ways in which they can improve their safeguarding arrangements.

Before being approached by Zurich, I worked as the Safeguarding Adults Manager for the London Borough of Brent Adult Services. Here, I led a multi-disciplinary team, taking ownership of situations and analysing them to provide solutions that focused on quality outcomes for the most vulnerable people within society. I ran the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), managed complex safeguarding cases, and led safeguarding inquiries, as well as chairing multi-agency safeguarding conferences. I also took a lead in quality assurance, monitoring, and governance to improve the standard of service within the department. This included strengthening relationships with partner agencies and other stakeholders, to ensure the continuous development, efficiency, and success of the Safeguarding Adult Team.

Preceding this role, I was a Police Officer for ten years. I was extensively trained in all matters relating to Safeguarding and Public Protection. Through multi-agency collaboration, I identified, investigated, and effectively managed the risk of harm to children and adults at risk within our communities. It was my job to represent the Police force in matters relating to Public Protection, making sole decisions, and formulating action plans for Police and statutory partners.

However, my career began in healthcare as a Nurse (RGN, Adult). I trained at St. George’s Hospital Medical School, University of London, completing my professional programme through extensive NHS hospital and community placements.  Following qualification, I practised at Atkinson Morley’s Neurosurgical Hospital in Wimbledon, London — an internationally recognised centre of excellence in neurosurgery. There, I supported patients with complex neurological conditions and post-operative needs. It was during this time, working with some of the most vulnerable individuals in high-acuity settings, that my deep passion for safeguarding truly took root.