“I think the external audits are extremely thorough. I've worked in safeguarding for more than 20 years, and I think that the Judicium audits are the best we've ever had. It’s given us confidence in our systems and decision-making as well.” 

Strive4 Academy Trust in Essex is made up of two primary schools, Ray Lodge Primary School in Woodford Green and Farnham Green Primary School in Ilford

Harjinder Kaur has more than 20 years of experience in safeguarding roles and is the Inclusion and Safeguarding Lead and a member of the trust’s school improvement team. She supports designated safeguarding leads across both schools, helping to ensure consistency, high standards, and effective strategic oversight.

The trust has long taken an outward-facing approach to safeguarding, using external providers to keep refining their practice. This used to be provided by the local authority, but as their capacity reduced and external safeguarding audits became harder to access, Strive4 began looking for a specialist provider that could offer auditing and practical, ongoing support.

"We're always looking at how best to improve and refine practice,” says Harjinder. “ We don’t just want to be told that our practice is good; we want to improve it."

After exploring the market, Strive4 Academy Trust chose Judicium’s safeguarding service. That support includes access to advice and policy guidance, training, auditing and DSL supervision.

“The DSL supervision has been hugely beneficial,” she says. “It’s given them reassurance, professional challenge and a different way of looking at things. They feel reassured that they've got different layers they can go to if they have a problem or concern. They can come to us because we're all very open and supportive here, or they can go to their headteachers, but they can also go to Judicium to seek advice if they're not sure.” 

That extra layer of external advice and support has helped to strengthen DSL retention across the trust, with levels stable for the past four years, perhaps longer, says Harjinder.

One of the biggest differences has been the confidence the auditing service gives to the trust’s safeguarding teams, helping the trust to check on its existing systems and identify ways to strengthen them further.   

“I think the external audits are extremely thorough,” says Harjinder. “I've worked in safeguarding for more than 20 years, and I think that the Judicium audits are the best we've ever had. It’s given us confidence in our systems and decision-making as well.” 

 As well as DSL support and auditing services, Judicium’s expert team is also there to help with advice on everything from major policy developments to small, workable ideas that make an immediate difference to the lives of children and their families.

“Many of our families, particularly at Ray Lodge, are homeless or have been evicted and a piece of advice from the team suggested that we provide a space in school for them to put their belongings while they are moving between accommodation,” explains Harjinder.  

 “It’s a tiny detail but it has meant such a lot to our families. That’s the result of Judicium’s national reach; they gather and test these ideas from working with hundreds of schools across the country. I don’t think we would have had that if we’d limited ourselves to local authority support. We would have been looking inward rather than outward.” 

Would Harjinder recommend the service to other trusts? “Absolutely,” she says. “Because of their expertise, accessibility, their thorough auditing, high-quality supervision, and the confidence they give us in our safeguarding practice.” 

If you’d like to learn more about Judicium’s Safeguarding services, please feel free to contact enquiries on enquiries@judicium.com or 0345 548 7000