Safeguarding consultant, speaker and author
Ann Marie inspires and motivates organisations in keeping children and adults safer by bringing safeguarding to the front line and embedded in their daily practice.
Consultancy
Delivered by an experienced, registered, qualified safeguarding social worker since 1996. Practitioner, Safer Recruitment Consortium Accredited training and NSPCC certification. Consults on anything safeguarding children or adults
Speaking
Delivers : Workshops, keynotes at conferences or training days, media opinion pieces both national and internationally.
Training
Key note, national and international broadcasting, workshops.
International
Includes: Abu Dhabi, Armenia, Doha, Dubai, Germany, Japan, Jamaica, Monaco, Singapore, Texas, Brunei, Norway, Portugal, Geneva and Costa Rica
Ann Marie is an outstanding safeguarding professional who provides up-to-date, targeted, and insightful training for our organization. She brings a wealth of knowledge to our setting and is able to help us navigate the unique safeguarding challenges that international education provides.
About Ann Marie
Qualifying in 1996 and worked in children and families child protection teams then promoted to management in 2003. Ann Marie was a school based social worker from 1999 to 2003 and worked alongside education welfare, behaviour teachers and mentors in a government pilot project.
In 2003 she started a unique role as the team manager of the Vulnerable Children Team and managed teachers working with LAC, advised schools in child protection and delivered child protection training to schools and heads. This role evolved and Ann Marie worked as a LADO in Education, Safeguarding advisor, DSL Local Authority coordinator, LSCB Trainer and School Improvement Advisor and managed a team of social workers allocated to set schools within the local authority.
Unfortunately, when austerity started in social care she was taken away from the proactive work and called back to manage child protection teams in 2010. Ann Marie found this reactive, punitive and not helpful to families. She resigned and returned as an independent safeguarding consultant and registered Child 1st Consultancy Limited.
The welfare of the child is paramount and this name was chosen to champion their rights.
Ann Marie has managed various social work teams:
- Managed a child protection team 0-5 (Early years) 2011-2015
- Managed a child protection team in Youth Justice 2010-2014
- Managed school based social workers and pastoral staff 2010 -2015
Thank you Ann Marie Christian FRSA for today’s DSL Training. Real life, relevant case studies discussed in detail, a chance to talk through potential challenges we might face and great insight into the changes coming for all Children’s Activity providers from Sept 1st. No one ever wants to be in those worst case situations but they could happen. Talking through scenarios, managing the obligations, responsibilities and the processes as a Safeguarding Lead in an owner-operated “small” business & franchise environment was invaluable. Safeguarding isn’t just a tick box. Tailored training is the way forward. Understanding how it relates to your actual business/service is essential and Ann Marie totally nailed that today.
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Can l just say, you delivered a fabulous two day DSL training and it's obvious that you've got a wealth and depth of experience and expertise, it was a privilege, thank you.
Ann Marie regularly contributes to national news features
Voluntary Work
Ann Marie has always been passionate about giving back. She began her voluntary work in 1997, serving on the Board of Directors of ‘Big Up ’, a charity raising awareness of HIV and AIDS and supporting black gay men and women, supported by the Terrence Higgins Trust. She supports underrepresented groups in being heard and seen.
In 2008, she began supporting her local Parish, served on the Safeguarding committee, and in 2015 became the Parish Safeguarding Representative in the Diocese of Southwark, serving until 2023.
When her daughter was two in 2006, Ann Marie found it difficult to find inclusive books and discovered Letterbox Libraries. She is a big child at heart and reviews their books each month.
She has been a BASCPAN member since 1997 (British Association of Child Protection and Neglect), now called AOCPP (Association of Child Protection Professionals). From 2020 to 2025, Ann Marie sat on the Board as a Trustee.
She has been a Safeguarding Advisor to the Diana Awards Charity since 2023 and to Bold Voices CIC since 2025.
Since 2024, Ann Marie supports and volunteers at a community school in the Gambia and delivers safeguarding workshops and training to staff, leadership and children.
Thank you for a great keynote today. You were fantastic and judged the room perfectly. So many positive comments. We are very grateful.
