Safeguarding Virtual Conference 2025

Meet Joanne Bocko

Joanne has a wide range of safeguarding experience which allows her to understand the differences between schools and the challenges they face. Starting as a primary school teacher, her compassion for those in need led to a move to Police Staff and eventually working in the cybercrime team supporting schools and students with online safety issues. She headed up campaigns for online offences and appeared on the BBC and Radio One newsbeat. Her passion for schools brought her to the Local Authority, where, as a Safeguarding in Education Officer, she provided training and support to all schools in her county. Her motto is ‘if it will make life easier and better for schools, I will do it!’

Meet Rik Chilvers

Rik is a Safeguarding Consultant and the SEND Lead at Judicium. With experience of primary and secondary education, he brings to the team a detailed understanding of the cross-cutting nature of SEND and safeguarding, effective partnership working and management of resources. Rik has a master’s degree in psychology of education, worked in primary and secondary schools where he took the role of as a SENDCO, Senior Mental Health Lead and an Assistant Principal. Rik has played a central role in safeguarding and pastoral teams, championing a holistic approach to supporting children and their families. He developed whole-school policies and systems and has overseen systemic change including establishing a SEND department in a new secondary academy.

Meet Kate Massey

Kate Massey is Head of Safeguarding with over 16 years’ experience in education, including 10 years in pastoral care and 7 years as a Designated Safeguarding Lead. She has led safeguarding across a large secondary school within a MAT, developing robust processes and providing strategic oversight. A qualified SENDCo with expertise in professional curiosity, multi-agency working, and safeguarding governance, she is recognised for her supportive yet solutions-focused approach. Kate has successfully guided schools through Ofsted inspections and is passionate about empowering them to strengthen child protection practices. Outside of work, she enjoys time with family and friends over good food.

Meet Emma Fox

I am the Safeguarding Manager at Supporting Education Group, where I oversee safeguarding across our UK-wide supply agencies and tuition providers. My responsibilities include managing allegations against agency workers and working closely with partner schools, Local Authorities, the Police, and Children’s Social Services. I have developed procedures and policies for managing allegations, dedicated support information for staff subject to allegations, and tailored support plans for educators following an allegation so that any future risk is mitigated.

Meet Sarah Cook

Sarah has thirteen years of experience in safeguarding in education, culminating in the role of Head of Safeguarding for a successful Multi Academy Trust. Running a multi-disciplinary team and working with DSLs across primary and secondary academies she enjoyed offering support, advice and challenge to colleagues to develop safeguarding practice across the Trust. Sarah is passionate about supporting DSLs and making their incredibly difficult role easier to navigate by offering engaging training, a supportive approach, and clear recommendations and advice. Outside of work she is a voracious reader and enjoys swimming and cooking.

Meet Simon Hanley

Simon Hanley brings over 20 years of education experience, including 13+ years as a Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). He has led safeguarding across diverse settings, working closely with staff, families, and agencies to ensure pupil wellbeing. Beyond school leadership, Simon has supported schools nationally through consultancy, training, and mentoring programmes like NPQ and EHCO. In 2025, he joined Judicium Education as a Safeguarding Consultant, delivering audits, training, and policy reviews. His advice is rooted in real school life, and his coaching-led approach supports schools to build confident, child-centred safeguarding cultures grounded in clarity, empathy, and practical expertise.

Meet Viv Trask-Hall

Viv Trask-Hall is an experienced education leader with over 30 years in the sector. She has held a range of senior roles, including SENCo, headteacher, executive headteacher, and school improvement partner. As Head of Product and Innovation at Thrive, Viv leads the development of training courses and apprenticeships that help schools improve mental health, wellbeing and learning outcomes. Viv is passionate about creating inclusive environments where every child can thrive and also serves as a director at Exceed Learning Partnership and a lead foster carer with Mockingbird constellation.

Judicium was formed twenty years ago when our two founding barristers discussed the rapidly changing education landscape. With many school leaders facing continuous challenges such as academisation, staffing, and increases surrounding statutory requirements, schools were focusing on economies of scale, streamlining of resources and long term sustainable financial viability of their school.

Judicium Education exists to improve the quality and affordability of robust legal advice for the education sector. With a passion for people, we have developed an unlimited support model that allows for flexibility, growth, and a wealth of knowledge from experts dedicated solely to helping make education better.

Join Judicium's Safeguarding Virtual Conference 2025

Virtual Zoom Conference

Are you an education professional looking to navigate the complexities of safeguarding in today’s rapidly evolving environment?

Introducing our speakers...