A confidential space to think, for international school safeguarding leads

In music, a fermata tells the player to hold a note beyond its written length. It can come mid-phrase, before the music moves on, or on the final chord, letting a piece close properly rather than simply stop. Safeguarding work needs both kinds of pause: time to think before the next decision, and time to let a difficult case settle once it's done.

Safeguarding leads in international schools often work alone. You may be the only DSL on site, holding UK-derived expectations alongside host-country law, with high staff turnover and no local authority to call. The role carries real weight, and much of it stays with you.

Supervision gives you a confidential space outside your school's reporting lines to think through difficult cases, test your judgement and look after yourself. Whatever your title (DSL, Child Protection Officer, Safeguarding Lead, Head of Wellbeing), this is for you.

1-to-1 supervision

A monthly 60-minute video session for DSLs, heads and deputies. We work through cases and decisions, and I ask questions rather than tell you what to do. We also make room for the emotional impact of the work.

Single-session consultation

One 60-minute conversation when you are facing a difficult decision or an unusual case. This is reflective consultation, not ongoing supervision.

What you tell me stays with me, with three narrow exceptions:

• a child at risk of significant harm that has not been reported
• a legal duty to disclose
• a serious conduct concern I cannot responsibly hold

I will tell you before I act wherever I can. We work without names wherever possible. Before we begin, we agree a short written confidentiality and data agreement.

If your school pays, it receives an invoice and confirmation that sessions took place. It does not receive session content or notes.

1. We have a free, no-obligation 30-minute conversation.
2. We agree the format and a written agreement.
3. Sessions are held online, at times that suit you, including early mornings and evenings (Central European time), so you can meet outside your school day. Tell me your time zone and preferred times when we first speak.
4. Fees are quoted per term or per month for ongoing supervision, and per session for single consultations. I send a fee schedule after our first conversation. Invoices go to your school or to you personally, in euros (or in pounds or US dollars, on request).

I began in schools in 1986 as a music teacher and worked my way up: Head of Music, Lead Learning Mentor, Assistant Principal, Deputy Headteacher and Acting Headteacher. I retired in December 2022, and Fermata is how I now put that experience to use. I taught music before I led safeguarding, and I still play the clarinet.

Fifteen years as a DSL

From 2007 to 2022 I was Designated Safeguarding Lead at West Coventry Academy (formerly Tile Hill Wood School and Language College), an 11–18 comprehensive with a sixth form. Across three inspections in that time, Ofsted described the school's safeguarding as robust, thorough and effective, with well-established systems in place to support both children and the staff working with them.

Why I started

In 2021 I trained as a safeguarding supervisor, and I went on to supervise my own team while being supervised in turn within the trust. That experience showed me how much good supervision matters, and what an outside perspective can add: someone independent of your school, with time set aside for nothing but your thinking. That is what Fermata offers. It is a new practice, but it rests on fifteen years in the role.

A note on my experience

My DSL years were in the UK. I don't claim to know your host-country system, and I won't pretend to. What I bring is long experience of carrying this responsibility and the questions that help you think it through.

Qualifications and standing

• National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH)
• Supervision Skills Training for Safeguarding Supervisors in Schools, delivered by Surinder Kasli, NSPCC Accredited Trainer (January 2021)
• Independent Appeals Panel Member, Coventry Local Authority (exclusion appeals)

Independence

I am not employed by a school, inspectorate or accreditation body, and I don't take on audit or accreditation work. That keeps my independence straightforward: there's no possibility of a conflict between assessing a school and supervising the person who leads its safeguarding.

Practical details

Based in France (Central European time). Sessions are held in English, at times arranged to suit you.

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