Forge Safeguarding & Practice Advisory
Your safeguarding partner throughout the year.
Independent remote safeguarding oversight, audits, DSL supervision, staff training, and expert advisory support to organisations working with children, young people, and vulnerable adults across the UK.
Strengthening safeguarding culture. Building confident leaders. Improving practice.
Why Forge
Safeguarding should be more than a policy, an annual audit, or a compliance exercise.
Organisations need confidence that safeguarding arrangements are effective, leaders need access to expert support, and staff need the knowledge and confidence to respond appropriately to concerns.
Forge provides independent remote safeguarding expertise that helps organisations strengthen culture, improve practice, and maintain confidence in their safeguarding arrangements throughout the year.
Our services are designed to provide meaningful challenge, practical support, and ongoing assurance — helping organisations move beyond compliance and embed safeguarding at every level.
Our services
Independent expertise, tailored to your organisation.
Ongoing Safeguarding Oversight
Independent support throughout the year.
Retained oversight packages providing ongoing safeguarding support, quality assurance, professional challenge, and access to expert advice when it is needed most.
- Safeguarding reviews and health checks
- Monitoring improvement plans
- Leadership consultation and support
- Governance and trustee assurance
- Policy and procedural guidance
- Access to safeguarding expertise
Safeguarding Audits
Independent review. Practical recommendations.
Comprehensive remote safeguarding audits that evaluate systems, culture, leadership, compliance, and practice — with a clear picture of strengths, areas for development, and actionable recommendations.
DSL Supervision
Supporting safeguarding leaders.
Professional supervision for DSLs, Deputy DSLs, and safeguarding teams. A dedicated space to reflect on practice, discuss complex concerns, strengthen decision-making, and maintain professional resilience.
Staff Training
Building confidence across your organisation.
Tailored training that equips staff with the knowledge, confidence, and clarity to recognise concerns, respond appropriately, and uphold a strong safeguarding culture day to day.
Advisory Services
Expert safeguarding guidance when you need it.
Independent advice and consultancy covering:
- Safeguarding strategy
- Inspection readiness
- Governance assurance
- Policy development
- Quality assurance
- Complex safeguarding concerns
Who we work with
Trusted across the UK.
Whether you need a one-off audit, targeted training, DSL supervision, or a long-term safeguarding partner, our services are tailored to meet your needs.
Why organisations choose Forge
Considered support, grounded in practice.
01
Independent Perspective
Objective safeguarding challenge, scrutiny, and assurance.
02
Experienced Leadership
Extensive safeguarding leadership experience across education and specialist settings.
03
Remote by Design
Flexible, accessible support without geographical limitations.
04
Practical Solutions
Advice that is realistic, achievable, and focused on improving outcomes.
05
Long-Term Partnership
Ongoing support that helps organisations continuously strengthen practice.
Meet the founder
Tina Hodgson
Forge Safeguarding & Practice Advisory was founded by Tina Hodgson, an experienced safeguarding leader with more than 20 years of experience supporting children and young people across education settings.
As a Safeguarding Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Tina currently provides strategic safeguarding oversight across multiple education provisions, leading safeguarding systems, quality assurance, staff development, complex case management, and organisational improvement.
Holding a BA (Hons) in Child and Adolescent Studies and qualified SENCO status, Tina brings extensive expertise in safeguarding leadership, safeguarding culture, staff training, quality assurance, SEND, attendance, and safeguarding improvement.
Having spent many years leading safeguarding within organisations, Tina understands the realities, pressures, and challenges safeguarding leaders face. Forge was created to provide the independent support, challenge, and expertise that organisations need to strengthen safeguarding arrangements and create safer environments for those they serve.
Education
BA (Hons) Child & Adolescent Studies
Specialism
Qualified SENCO
Experience
20+ years in safeguarding leadership
Let's talk
Strengthening safeguarding. Supporting leaders. Improving practice.
Whether you are looking for independent safeguarding oversight, an external audit, DSL supervision, staff training, or ongoing support — share a few details and Tina will be in touch within two working days.