Independent education, safety and health consultant, customers include:

NEBOSH Examiner IGC, CG, ND

Associate Tutor/Assessor, RRC

Associate Tutor/Assessor/IQA, IOSH 

External Quality Assurer, Qualsafe Awards 

Remote Area Risk International 

The role is central to development and safe delivery of learning outside the classroom (LOtC) in West Sussex. Key elements of the role include the monitoring of health and safety requirements for all off-site visits taken out by schools across the authority to ensure they adhere to national and county regulations. Developing LOtC as a pedagogical approach across all schools and phases working with school leaders to ensure children access the curriculum in a meaningful and active manner. Representing the authority on a variety of panels and committees, regionally and nationally, with a focus on the health and safety of children, young people, and staff. Work as the lead professional for education in relation to business continuity and emergency response should an incident occur. Acting as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award licence holder for the local authority as a licensed organisation. The role carries an income generating target achieved through the delivery of training to teachers and others and selling the services of the adviser to non-WSCC partners. This includes maintaining a variety of national accreditations with awarding organisations. 

Having been approached by the CEO to join the company to increase business in this expanding Outdoor/Expedition Company I worked to successfully increase the client base extending to state and third sector partners for the provision of outdoor education, first aid and overseas expeditions. In addition to the sales element of the role, I developed new initiatives including seeking OfQual Awarding Organisation status, working to develop the offer we made to clients and directly delivered courses to maintain my training experience and relevance. I was also responsible to oversee the safety and compliance of the company in relation to the AALS licenced administered by the HSE and ensure compliance with other national and international safety standards. My role saw more than £100,000 of new business entering the company, doubling the provision of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and extending the breadth of first aid training offered.

Being responsible for the management and development of Outdoor Education, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the National Citizen Service across West Sussex I worked closely with a variety of partners to ensure a continued growth of experiences for young people.  Working with a variety of charities, state schools, academies, and independent schools as well as regional and national partners to ensure shared goals were achieved, this included partnerships with centres on specific projects to support young people in need of significant support. Reporting to a committee and supporting them in their decision-making processes relating to grants and future strategic development required a high level of reporting both verbally and in written form ensuring that all aspects were clearly highlighted to allow informed decision making to take place.  During my time with WSCC we became one of the highest performing licenced organisations for the DofE in the Southeast in terms of conversion rates and we managed the most successful NCS programme in the region in terms of retention. A large part of the NCS role involved working with partners and contractors and managing safety requirements to ensure compliance. 

Led the operational support offered to the various licensed organisations in the region including all local authorities and several independent schools both in the UK and overseas. I was part of the core national team responsible for developing training programmes, IT systems and other elements of the DofE. The role also required me to quality assure all our delivery partners to ensure licence terms were being met, quality of provision, health and safety standards were maintained and the positive impact of the DofE on young people was being upheld.  

As the director of a company all aspects of the management of a small business were my responsibility. The company was successfully awarded a Health and Safety Training Centre licence in 2011 having adhered to the necessary stringent requirements for a first aid provider. 

Oversaw the development of all aspects of DofE and outdoor education in the county, including the management of the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority licence. Staff management, budget management, training etc. were all key aspects of the role.