Below is some background information on the people behind Cognus’ Safeguarding service.
Hayley Cameron – Education Safeguarding Manager
Hayley has worked in schools since 2005 and has been a Designated Safeguarding Lead since 2008. She was appointed as Deputy Head Teacher for Safeguarding and Pastoral Care at Avenue Primary Academy in 2015 before going on to become Acting Head of School.
In 2018, Hayley became Director of Safeguarding for Cirrus Primary Academy Trust where she had the opportunity to work with and support schools in meeting their safeguarding responsibilities, as well as advising on the management of individual cases. Hayley developed supervision for staff to support emotional well-being and led statutory safeguarding training as well as offering bespoke training packages dependent on the level of need.
In September 2020, Hayley completed a 2-year, Distance Learning, master’s degree in advanced child protection at the University of Kent. This has helped her to create a broad, local, national and international, multi-agency support network and to further develop her own knowledge and expertise. This leads Hayley to where she is today, in her current role as Education Safeguarding Manager, working alongside an experienced and well-established team.
Hayley is a true believer in safeguarding being everyone’s responsibility and that includes pupils, staff and people in the local community – there needs to be an understanding of the importance of safeguarding and the need to build capacity within our schools, paying particular attention to the awareness of burnout; the need for supervision; the need for regular training and the benefits of a multi-agency support network.
Gill Bush – Education Navigator (CFCS)
Gill has worked within Public Protection for a considerable number of years working closely with Multi Agency Partners. Some of the areas she has worked in are the Disclosure Barring Service – screening applications and at Sutton Police Station supervising those on the Sex Offenders Register working closely with Probation and other MAPPA members.
Gill was part of a group set up to review and identify organisational learning that could benefit safeguarding practices. She set up the then newly formed Missing Persons Unit at Sutton Police Station, and realising the importance of partnership working, were one of the first units to work hand in hand with Jigsaw 4 U.
Gill has been part of the MARAC membership for many years and historically was part of a small team who set up the One Stop Shop in Sutton. This has since gone on to be an integral part of the Multi Agency support offered to families experiencing domestic abuse.
Risk Management has played a key part in all of Gill’s roles, and she was one of the original team members of the ‘MASH’ in Sutton, now known as CFCS some seven years ago. Working closely with our Multi Agency partners and drawing from her experience she now works closely with all Sutton schools and in particular their Designated Safeguarding Leads.
Following the CFCS Protocol, she jointly makes decisions daily, drawing on her current and past experiences. Gill is part of an integral team who work tirelessly to offer support, early intervention and training in areas identified in her current roll.
Stephen Welding – Education E-Safety and Safeguarding Training and Review Advisor
Steve left school at the age of 16 and joined the army where he spent two years at the Army Apprentice College in Harrogate to train as a Radio Telegraphist. Once trained, he was posted to various units around the world providing strategic long-range communications. Steve spent a total of 15 years in the army before joining the Metropolitan Police in 1993. He spent a further 22 years as a police officer in South London mainly as a Detective investigating serious crime. Steve has worked within Public Protection for a considerable number of years working closely with Multi Agency Partners. Some of the areas he has worked within are offender management, supervising those on the Sex Offenders Register and working closely with Probation and other MAPPA members.
Steve joined Sutton Local Authority in December 2014 to become part of the Education Safeguarding Team. One of his main functions was to focus on online safety for both adults and children. He became a Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) ambassador to become accredited in this role and still maintain links with CEOP to ensure he keeps up to date with current trends.
Due to Steve’s role in Internet safety, he was accepted to become a member of AACOSS (Association of Adult and Child Online Safety Specialists).
As his role evolved, he now carries out safeguarding training and reviews in schools to ensure they are meeting their statutory safeguarding requirements.
Steve is currently a Safeguarding Governor at two Surrey Primary Schools.
Lina Del Grosso – Education Safeguarding Training and Review Advisor
Lina is a dedicated and experienced advisor with a proven track record in embedding whole-school approaches to safeguarding, children’s mental health and RSHE. She is passionate about creating safe, supportive school environments where every child can thrive. Her work is grounded in data-driven practice and contextual safeguarding, ensuring that vulnerable pupils and families receive proactive, tailored support.
A pioneer in the field, Lina led the first school in Sutton to achieve the Wellbeing Award for Schools in 2019. She also contributed to the South West London NHS Mental Health in Schools Pilot Project, helping to shape improved mental health support across the borough.
Lina brings a thoughtful, data-informed approach to curriculum development, using pupil voice and local context to design PSHE and RSHE programmes that are meaningful and relevant.
Lina has played a key role in developing and piloting PSHE/RSHE curriculum content that addresses sensitive issues and promotes healthy relationships. She uses pupil voice and cohort-specific data to design bespoke programmes that are meaningful and relevant.
As a skilled and engaging trainer, Lina has delivered professional development through Teaching School Alliances and in-school programmes, covering topics such as safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, e-safety and children’s mental health.
Since 2010, Lina has worked in schools across Croydon and Sutton, including Avenue Primary Academy, where she held senior roles such as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Health and Wellbeing Lead, E-Safety Lead and Pupil Premium Lead. She also volunteered with the NSPCC’s Strategic Projects team, supporting national safeguarding campaigns.
Mick Bradshaw – Outdoor Education Advisor
Mick has worked in Outdoor Education since 1990, in both residential and day visit centres around England and Wales, teaching field studies to key stage 2 and 3 children and outdoor activities to both children and adults. He has subsequently completed a BSc QTS in Geography and Environmental Issues and taught in secondary schools in Sutton and Croydon. Mick also ran an Adventure Project as part of the Youth Service provision in Sutton, organising and delivering activity clubs, courses and expeditions.
When the opportunity also came to undertake the role of Outdoor Education Adviser, the chance to encourage and support schools to continue to offer children similar experiences to those that he had been fortunate to enjoy himself as a child was compelling.
Mick now supports schools across three south-west London boroughs as they offer learning opportunities in the UK and far beyond, and provide them with guidance, training and ongoing advice. Working with colleagues as part of the Education Safeguarding Team at Cognus has enabled him to widen his understanding of the safeguarding responsibilities of schools, but also to ensure that safeguarding is addressed alongside learning outcomes and health and safety as an aspect of all educational visits.
Mick aims to promote the benefits of all learning beyond the classroom activities, encouraging schools to look for new opportunities whether they take place in the school grounds or venture to the more remote regions of the world.
Mick holds a range of professional outdoor qualifications and is has recently completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Outdoor Education at the University of Edinburgh. He endeavours to constantly remain current in his knowledge and skills across both education and outdoor activities.
Mick is currently a trustee of a local outdoor activity centre and an active member of the Outdoor Education Advisors Panel.