With over a decade’s 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 Lou
Refugee and Asylum Specialist
Hi, I'm Louise Calvey - a Refugee and Asylum specialist. Having held the position of Head of Services and Safeguarding at Refugee Action for 11 years, in 2022 I founded Safer Foundations with Tracey to help address the desperate need to improve the safeguarding support available to those working with refugees and asylum seekers.
My experience is rooted in years of wrestling solutions in systems and processes that do not lend themselves to safety, and I passionately believe in in the need to improve contextual safeguarding support to the Refugee and Asylum sector, and for effective safeguarding practice to provide solutions to busy casework and support teams.
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Louise Calvey is a trustee of Hope Projects and Breaking Barriers.
Meet Tracey
Safeguarding Specialist
A Safeguarding Specialist, I qualified as a Social Worker almost 8 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.
Most recently working for Refugee Action in the role of National Safeguarding Manager, I am a dedicated advocate of improving outcomes through an empowerment, strengths-based approach, and advancing the cultural understanding of safeguarding, and it is this experience that I am so keen to share alongside Lou through Safer Foundations.
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Tracey Hamer is the safeguarding trustee of Breadwinners.
Meet Mary
Psycotherapist
With over 20 years' experience in working in the safeguarding sector in my position at Refugee Action, I've 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 in my role at Safer Foundations. Having practiced in this position for over ten years, I support sector colleagues to cope with these incredibly challenging times by providing them with the skills and tools needed to stay okay whilst helping the most vulnerable members of our society,
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Mary Keane is a fully qualified, accredited Psychotherapist.
"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!