The Sacpa staff are professionals passionate about safeguarding and child protection. You are welcome to get in touch with any member of our team – we are here to help.
Director of SACPA: Dr Mariya Ali
Mariya Ali is an internationally recognised safeguarding and child protection expert with over 30 years of experience across advisory, academic, legal, and leadership roles. She previously served as Deputy Minister in the Maldives, leading national reforms in child protection, and has worked with UNICEF, Save the Children, and Lumos on developing protection systems globally. With qualifications in Human Rights, Social Work, and Traumatic Stress, she has published widely on child rights, online safety, and trauma-informed safeguarding. Known for her strategic vision and practical expertise, Mariya brings both global insight and local implementation experience, making her a strong asset to SACPA.
Executive Dire
ctor: Dale Wilkins
Dale is a child protection specialist, with over 30 years’ experience working in the education sector. He is currently the Director of Safeguarding, Professional Development and Accreditation for SACPA and Abitas Group, is accredited by the NSPCC, having completed their ‘Training for trainers in child protection’ and his work includes liaising with government bodies on behalf of the sector as well as delivering child protection CPD to schools. Dale has also been a multi-agency safeguarding trainer for Dudley Safeguarding Children Board and has oversight of the SACPA Accredited training programme.
Executive Director Specialist Services and Director, BAISIS: Bethan Hudson
Bethan Waddington joined the team as Training Manager in September 2017. Bethan has worked in two independent boarding schools in the UK and Switzerland, the latter as Housemistress to 36 pupils. Following her time in Switzerland, she was a Pastoral Manager for an inner-city state academy before working in the charity sector for Debrett’s running the ‘Debrett’s Foundation’ training programme.
In her role, Bethan plans and manages all Day Seminars, Conferences, INSET and Consultancy, as well as being Director of BAISIS. She believes boarding can be a positive force for young people and in order to fully support their needs staff can never learn too much. As such she is passionate about the CPD BSA delivers to our pastoral communities in the UK and worldwide.
Head of Accredited Training: Liz McDonald
Liz McDonald is responsible for the coordination of training requirements, including the BSA Accredited Training Programme. Liz is a former financial services professional, and relishes any opportunity to help and assist boarding staff with their training needs and continued professional development.
Business Support Manager: Claire Scrimgeour
Claire joined the group in 2021 and has extensive financial and administrative experience making her well-placed to support core business functions and projects across the group.
Senior Finance and Administration Executive: Emily Smith
Emily joined the team in March 2023 as Finance and Administration Executive. Emily has a background in finance, administration and early years education, making her well placed to support our members.
Consultants
We use a wide network of expert consultants to deliver advice and bespoke training to members. Our consultants cover a broad range of sectors including health, policing and education and are experienced in abuse, contextual safeguarding, safer recruitment, online issues, gambling, addiction, behaviour management and county lines.
Please do get in touch if you have an area of support you require, and the team will match you to the appropriate consultant.
Karl Hopwood
Karl is an independent online safety expert and member of the UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS), contributing to its evidence, education and early warning groups. He also serves on the UK Safer Internet Centre advisory board, the Roblox Trust and Safety Board, and has advised TikTok on harmful online challenges. Karl regularly contributes to Internet Matters and has delivered Ofcom-commissioned training. A former primary headteacher, he has worked with CEOP, BECTA, the European Commission, the UN and local authorities. He is an in-house consultant for INSAFE, Chair of Childnet International, and Chair of SACPA’s executive committee.
Steve Hall
Steve brings over 40 years of experience as a qualified social worker and Service Manager in Social Care for various Local Authorities with a background of Front door services, assessment, Child Protection, care experienced children, Children with Disabilities, and Quality Assurance.
He is an experienced LADO and is the elected Chair of the National LADO Network. Steve is an experienced trainer, providing tailored safeguarding training to a variety of settings. He also provides consultancy, including investigations, safeguarding audits, for a wide range of sectors, including the police, Faith, Sports, Fostering, Education, Early Years and Youth Services.
Get in touch
T. +44 (0)207 798 1585
E. info@sacpa.org.uk
BSA Group Services Limited, 50 Princes Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1RJ
