Investigation
Establishing the facts, testing the evidence and reaching balanced conclusions in sensitive and complex situations.
Meet the founder
Steven PittmanFCMI
Independent Safeguarding Adviser & Investigator
Former detective sergeant. Deputy Principal for Pastoral Care and Designated Safeguarding Lead. Experience that connects evidence with everyday school life.
Experience that connects
Understanding the evidence.
Understanding the setting.
Safeguarding decisions need sound judgement and a clear understanding of the people, pressures and responsibilities involved.
Steven combines more than two decades in policing, including work as a detective sergeant, with senior pastoral and safeguarding leadership in independent education. His school responsibilities span boarding, pupil wellbeing, behaviour, multi-agency working and oversight of medical arrangements. That breadth helps him understand how a concern in one area can reveal a wider issue with communication, accountability or practice.
P.S.A. is a consultancy led by Steven. His approach combines careful examination of the facts, thoughtful professional challenge and advice that leaders can put into practice. Where suitable associate expertise would benefit an engagement, the involvement and responsibilities would be agreed with the client in advance.
Three perspectives. One considered approach.
Education
Direct experience as a Deputy Principal for Pastoral Care and Designated Safeguarding Lead, with insight into everyday school life.
Leadership
A Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, bringing a leadership perspective to assurance and organisational improvement.
The realities of school life
Experience beyond
the written policy.
Understanding how people, information and responsibilities connect helps turn findings into workable improvements.
Boarding and pastoral leadership
Steven’s experience includes management and oversight of boarding houses and working closely with the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA). He understands the routines, handovers and pastoral responsibilities of a residential setting.
Working across services
His role includes liaison with Local Authority Designated Officers (LADO), Single Point of Advice (SPOA) services and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), bringing information together and coordinating school follow-up.
Wider pupil welfare and operational experience
His leadership responsibilities also include wellbeing initiatives, student voice and behaviour, alongside oversight of the school’s medical function and medicines arrangements in collaboration with responsible medical staff.
Experience includes allergy management and anaphylaxis preparedness, with awareness of Benedict’s Law in the context of school allergy safety, as well as emergency planning and lockdown procedures.
The P.S.A. approach
Calm. Thorough.
Clear.
01
Listen first
Understand your circumstances and agree what the work needs to achieve.
02
Follow the evidence
Distinguish what is known, what needs testing and where professional judgement is required.
03
Make the output useful
Provide clear findings and practical next steps, proportionate to the brief.
Need independent safeguarding advice?
Clarity starts with
a conversation.
Discuss your concern or project
Clear advice. Practical support. Real understanding.