My name is Louise Powell and I am a Named Nurse for Safeguarding Children, representing Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Since joining the Trust and Safeguarding Team in January 2019, my role has evolved and I now specialise in Child Exploitation within an Exploitation and Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). Birmingham is home to the greatest child population in Europe and in response, Birmingham MASH is the largest in the country.

My nursing journey commenced as a Healthcare Support Worker within school nursing in 2009. In 2011, I was sponsored by my Worcestershire Trust to complete a BSc (Hons) in Child Nursing and in 2016, a Postgraduate Diploma in Special Community Public Health School Nursing. The 0-19 school nurse role was inspirational, supporting families and children to reach their full health, development, wellbeing and safety potential. It was significant in identifying my professional interest in safeguarding and led to my current position.

Safeguarding children in Birmingham is a privilege. To enhance the skills and knowledge that I bring, I am currently writing a Masters dissertation around the antecedents to child criminal exploitation.

I am delighted to present on behalf of my Trust at this event.