I have come to the role of HR Director for the illuminate Minds Trust with 20 year’s experience in Human Resources. I gained HR experience initially working in a local authority having supported children, families and education services.  For the last 8 years I have worked solely with schools across Kent and the South East as a HR Consultant providing support, guidance and advice for every type of HR process. I have experience of working with Primary, Secondary, Pupil Referrals Units, Alternative Curriculum, Independent, and Special schools as well as Multi Academy Trusts. I specialised in supporting change processes, Academy transfers and complex safeguarding cases. Over the last 5 years my interest and knowledge in safeguarding has grown through becoming an accredited Safer Recruitment Trainer as well as taking on complex cases. I feel very strongly that safeguarding should be every employee’s responsibility. It needs to be woven into the ethos, culture, polices and practice of the Trust and each of its schools. Our commitment as a Trust is to ensure that every child has a safe, supportive, and enriching environment in which to learn and grow.