With decades of combined experience in the refugee and migrant safeguarding sector, we know how hard it is to access the critical support you need when working to protect some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
That's why, in 2022, we set up Safer Foundations - a safeguarding consultancy dedicated to advising, guiding and providing the expert advice that is key to creating safety in a system with inherent and severe risk.
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​Our services are designed to meet the safeguarding concerns of Local Authorities, charities and organisations who work with refugees and asylum seekers - providing the resources and guidance needed to develop safe structures and processes.
Meet Tracey
Safeguarding Specialist
I am a founding member of Safer Foundations and bring to it a wealth of safeguarding experience. A Safeguarding Specialist, I qualified as a Social Worker almost 10 years ago. Since then, I’ve worked in frontline roles in Local Authorities in the North-West of England, as well as in London for the NSPCC, developing a real passion for supporting the most marginalised in society. ​​
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My experience in the migrant charity sector, and my understanding of the challenges involved in supporting people seeking asylum and refugees, was strengthened during my time as National Safeguarding Manager at a national refugee charity.
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Alongside my role as Co-Director at Safer Foundations, I serve as Safeguarding Manager at a large charity, continuing to champion safe and inclusive practice across all areas of my work.
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Tracey Hamer is the safeguarding trustee of Breadwinners.
Meet Mary
Psychotherapist
I have over 20 years' experience of working in the UK migrant charity sector and have been involved in both the direct delivery of advice services for people seeking asylum, and the management and leadership of teams working to support people in the system.
Alongside this experience, I also draw on my skills as a psychotherapist, having been in private practice for over ten years. I provide support to colleagues in the migrant charity sector through facilitated wellbeing groups, one to one and group clinical supervision and therapeutic coaching.
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As Co-Director of Safer Foundations I combine these two sets of experience to inform approaches to creating safety in a system that often seeks to remove it.
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Mary Keane is a fully qualified, accredited Psychotherapist.
Meet Lou
Refugee and Asylum Specialist
Louise Calvey is a refugee and asylum specialist and founded Safer Foundations with Tracey in 2022 to help address the desperate need to improve the safeguarding support available to those working with refugees and asylum seekers.
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Although Lou has stepped back from the day to day delivery at Safer Foundations, she continues to be a strong supporter and champion of our work.
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Louise Calvey is a trustee of Hope Projects and Breaking Barriers.
"Lou and Tracey managed to cover a huge amount in just three hours! The session provided just the foundation our staff team needs, and was so well targeted at the particular sort of safeguarding issues we encounter. It was also very interesting and engaging, which is not true of all safeguarding training! Lou and Tracey’s friendly and encouraging approach also meant staff members weren’t afraid to ask lots of
questions."
Gemma, Women for Refugee Women
"Finding safeguarding training relevant to the people we work with is almost impossible, so your knowledge, experience, and training is such a great asset to the sector. I don't think I've ever been enthusiastic about safeguarding training before (!), but I have recommended you to several people already!"
Katie, The Boaz Trust
"I have found the past two courses so so useful.
I could listen to you both share your knowledge and expertise all day! I'm feeling so much more knowledgeable, you're exactly what the sector needs. Looking forward to attending any and all future courses."
Sarah, Refuaid
As a hosting scheme for survivors of modern slavery we have found it very difficult to find safeguarding training that is relevant for our work. Tracey and Lou created a bespoke training session for our team which was insightful, practical and extremely relevant. They delivered the session with empathy and understanding and gave plenty of time for us to ask questions and process the information. Highly recommended and we’ll definitely be back!