Communities of Practice
Safeguarding and Prevent Communities of Practice
Led by Imtiaz Kala, DSL and EDI Lead at Total People, this Community of Practice brings together DSLs and safeguarding colleagues to share challenges, discuss policy and guidance, and explore practical approaches to learner protection. Members can learn from each other, share what’s working and discuss how to build a strong safeguarding culture across post-16 provision. Meetings are held online twice a year.
I am Imtiaz Kala, DSL and EDI Lead at Total People/MOL, where I work very closely with staff and managers across our apprenticeship, study programme and adult provision in Cheshire and Manchester. With over 30 years of experience in local authorities, the voluntary sector, secondary schools, FE and primary schools, I have worked across the entire spectrum of age ranges.
Some of my previous roles include EWS Attendance Manager (ex EWO), Connexions Careers Manager, Service Manager across YOT, Youth Service Manager, as well as holding three DSL roles, Prevent Delivery Officer, Social Worker, Student Services Manager and NCS Manager. In my other roles, I am Chair of an outstanding/good primary school and Safeguarding Trustee of an outstanding/good secondary. Both schools excel the key parameters of outcomes that we aspire to for our learners. I have also provided consultancy and training on safeguarding and governance to Trusts and local authorities.
Some of my qualifications include holding a PGCE, a Master’s degree in Education Management, SENCO qualification and Diploma in Social Work, and with these I can see the intersectionality of vulnerability across the education, social and SEND perspective. In work I am the Senior Mental Health Lead and Single Point of Contact on Prevent.
I am delighted to Chair the AELP Safeguard and Prevent Community of Practice, bringing together providers to share experiences and strengthen our collective approach to safeguarding challenges and build resilience across providers.
I am passionate about collaboration and believe that, as we navigate ongoing external regulatory changes in the safeguarding landscape, it is vital that we support one another. I am confident that the Community of Practice will deliver this to members. By working together, we can ensure clarity, consistency, confidence, and above all, the delivery of safe education and training opportunities that protect both learners and staff.
