Get to know Kaye
I am a retired police officer having served 21 years with Avon and Somerset Constabulary, 16 years as a Detective specialising in Child Protection. I attended multi-agency case conferences, conducted detailed and lengthy investigations into allegations of child abuse, prepared case papers for court and supported children and their families through the judicial process. Laterly I also supported the Crown Prosecutor in the Domestic Abuse Court, completing urgent tasks required by the court and supporting survivors of abuse to give their evidence.
Throughout my career I have been most interested in protecting children and young people and consider myself to have been an innovator. I always looked for "better" or "different" ways of doing things. In 1998 whilst working as a Child Protection Investigator I uncovered a case where a family, whose own children had been removed by Children's Social Care, were housing foreign exchange students for financial reward. I conducted an investigation which and received a Home Office Police Research Award for Innovation on the subsequent research project that became known internationally as Child-Safe. The research, conducted by myself and my colleague Chris Gould, led to working with practitioners, law enforcement and law makers in the UK, New Zealand, Australia, New York, Miami, Canada, Belgium and Spain. Chris and I presented our research at both the UK and European Parliaments and we wrote a series of books for all involved in foreign exchange travel by children.
I returned to operational policing in 2000 and in 2004 qualified as a Police National Trainer. I have instructed police officers, support staff and multi-agency colleagues in all areas pertaining to child abuse investigation and prevention. I set up two new roles within Avon and Somerset Constabulary from scratch (Child Protection Training Co-ordinator 2002-05 and Every Child Matters Officer 2005-12). During this time I co-wrote a safeguarding video that became a standard part of all Avon and Somerset Training Courses with the strap-line "Think Children, Think Safeguarding, Don't leave it, Put it on Guardian". I later designed two packages of E-Learning (Safeguarding Children and Domestic Abuse) one of which won an award.
I set up my safeguarding training and consultancy business in 2011 shortly before my medical retirement in 2012 and now run Quantock Safeguarding from the home that I share with my husband and daughter in the South West. I have completed Batchelor and Masters degrees in Forensic Psychology and am a member of the British Psychological Society.
I am currently at Liverpool John Moores University conducting PhD research into forensic interviewing of children.
Academic Qualifications
Publications
Think Smart Travel Safe - An essential guide for young travellers abroad
Child-Safe, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, UK - Apr 1, 2006
For many young people, the experience of travelling abroad, particularly if it is their first time, can be very daunting. This book provides young people with a step-by-step guide to ensure that they are fully prepared for the experiences they may encounter. It encourages them to take responsibility in the preparation for their trip, offers advice and guidance on how to stay safe, as well as providing practical guidelines on staying with a host family abroad. A free personal safety card is included.
Travel-Safe Advice for Host Families
Child-Safe, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, UK - Sept 1, 2002
Providing a home for a foreign student can be a rewarding, but also challenging experience, not only for the adults in the host family but also for their children. The Travel-Safe Advice for Host Families book provides essential reading for families who wish to host a young person as part of an educational, cultural or language exchange programme. The book provides invaluable information and advice on how to provide a safe and secure environment and will help families to manage the experience of hosting with greater confidence and competence.
Travel-Safe Advice for Schools
Child-Safe, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, UK - Aug 1, 2004
The Travel-Safe Advice for Schools book provides essential reading for head-teachers, educational visits co-ordinators, governors and anyone involved in planning a school visit abroad.
This book provides information about the practices and procedures that should be in place before cultural, educational or language homestay visits abroad are embarked on. It sets out the issues to be considered before pupils travel, and what standards and processes should be expected from the tour operator and or host establishment. It also deals with preparing young people for their adventure and the type of information that should be made available for parents. It covers what to do in emergency situations and looks at the issues concerning duty of care of pupils whilst they are away.
Travel-Safe Advice for Parents and Guardians
Child-Safe, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, UK - Sept 1, 2002
We provide practical help and advice for parents and guardians to keep their children safe when they are away from home. Many parents and guardians rely on the information given to them by the tour organisation or school. They believe that the organisers have made all the necessary checks and have safeguarding and child protection procedures in place. Sadly this is not always the case and every year we send our children thousands of miles across the world, to countries where they may not understand the language and culture, to stay with complete strangers.
The Travel Advice for Parents and Guardians guidebook provides practical advice on what you should know when your child leaves. This includes everything from asking the right questions of the organisers to preparing your child for their adventure. This book provides you with the reassurance and confidence of knowing that the trip organiser has followed all the correct procedures to protect your child’s safety and welfare.
Travel-Safe Advice for the Voluntary Sector
Child-Safe, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, UK - Sept 1, 2002
Voluntary and community groups provide a wealth of opportunities and experiences for young people. Keeping children safe in these groups is an important responsibility for groups leaders and volunteers. We provide a range of free resources and child protection awareness seminars to voluntary and community groups working with children and young people in the community*. Clubright Online is a free members website that provides ongoing support and advice, as well as free downloadable resources, to help voluntary groups keep children in their care safe.
