Debbie Innes-Turnill
I believe that outstanding safeguarding is built on secure foundations of policy and procedure combined with excellent relationships. All this is informed by an understanding that behaviour is communication.
About me
I strive to build relationships with you and key staff in your organisation, understanding what your processes are and how they can be improved.
Having worked on the frontline in a safeguarding role for ten years, alongside my more recent safeguarding consultancy experience I am able to be pragmatic about what is needed and what is possible. I understand that working in safeguarding is hard and those who work with vulnerable people need to be supported to achieve excellent outcomes.
My experience
I have worked extensively with education, charities, religious, sporting and commercial organisations. This experience means that I draw on the good practice that I have worked with to help you improve outcomes for the people that you work with.
As a child protection lecturer and safeguarding consultant with a degree in psychology and a master’s in advanced child protection studies I provide both strategic and operational evidence based solutions based on understanding you and your organisation.
I launched Debbie Innes Safeguarding in 2019 following 25 years experience as a Teacher and School Leader. I balance my consultancy work alongside a part-time role as a Lecturer in Child Protection Studies at the University of Birmingham. I am also a Trustee with specific responsibility for Safeguarding at Youth At Heart, a regional charity.
My studies include:
MSc with Distinction in Advanced Child Protection Studies, University of Birmingham, 2020.
BSc in Psychology, The Open University, 2010.
PGCE, University of Gloucestershire, 1994.
Testimonials
"Debbie’s impact on our school cannot be overstated. On a strategic level Debbie has ensured our processes and systems are robust and that the safeguarding culture in our school ensures all children are protected and can flourish. Debbie has also worked to support staff as they navigate complex cases – supervising work; facilitating high quality dialogue and enabling staff to make clear and confident decisions which result in positive outcomes for children. Debbie has many years of hand on experience and combines this with strong professional knowledge and understanding to positively impact on a school’s safeguarding culture."
Head Teacher
Primary School
"Over an impressively short time Debbie has applied her considerable knowledge, gleaned from her extensive experience within safeguarding in Education, her own charity leadership responsibilities, and her own academic development, particularly strategic leadership to move our charity forward, providing the Team and the Board significant assurances. Her ability to straddle both the Strategic, the operational and the day-to-day workings of our charity to provide pragmatic outcomes, well-argued and tested, has no doubt ensured we are on the right footing, and prepared for the future."
Trustee
Safeguarding charity
"Debbie has added invaluable capacity to the leadership of of our school, and has provided a highly necessary ‘external ear’ to help staff working through changes to discuss and consider concerns and solutions. Additionally, she has put together our RSE curriculum encompassing safeguarding and life-skills."
Executive Head & Head of Inclusion
Multi-Academy Trust
Featured resources
We offer a variety of resources including a policy bank and a school safeguarding audit.
These and more can be found on my resources page. Below is a selection of introductory guides, written to get you started on these topics.
Introduction to trauma informed/shame sensitive practice
Levels of Child Protection (1989 Children Act)
