Claire Barker, BSc, DipPsych, MSc, C.Psychol, AFBPsS (She/Her)

Claire is a HCPC Registered and Chartered Forensic Psychologist and an Affiliate member of the British Psychological Society. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and a Master of Science Degree in Applied Forensic Psychology. Claire has worked within the field of forensic psychology for 20 years, working with both victims and offenders. Claire has worked on two large public inquiries since 2018; The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) and the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. Within both of these roles, Claire was involved in the design and development of trauma-informed support models and had responsibility for overseeing the provision of emotional support for those engaging with the Inquiry’s work. Claire has also provided advice to a number of other inquiries and is currently the Chief Psychologist to The Lampard Inquiry.

Claire was the lead researcher for two research articles published in 2023, evaluating the impact of using a trauma-informed approach within a public inquiry. In 2022, Claire was a keynote speaker at the NOTA Conference, presenting the emerging themes of this research.

Outside of her inquiry work, Claire continues to complete expert witness reports for the criminal Court and is a Specialist Member of the Parole Board for England and Wales.

Cassy Harrison, DipSW, BSc, MSc (She/Her)

Cassy is a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England, holding both a Diploma and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work along with a Master of Science Degree in Safeguarding in International Contexts. Cassy is also a qualified Action Learning Facilitator and a registered Employers Against Abuse Ambassador with The Survivors Trust. Cassy is currently studying for her Professional Doctorate in Community and Social Care: Policy and Practice. Cassy has worked in the field of safeguarding adults and children for over 20 years and has extensive experience of strategic and operational delivery of safeguarding within local authorities, national charities and public inquiries. Cassy began her career as a children and families Social Worker within the Local Authority before progressing to more senior roles.

She spent 4 years as the Deputy Head of Safeguarding at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) providing safeguarding advice across the work of the Inquiry and led the safeguarding strategy as the Inquiry moved towards conclusion. Cassy is currently providing safeguarding consultation to the work of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry as the Head of Safeguarding, having successfully developed and implemented their safeguarding strategy. In addition she provides safeguarding advice to Pentathlon GB as a member of a Safeguarding Case Management Group.

Cassy has extensive experience of senior leadership within the voluntary sector having been a Consultant Social Worker and Associate Inspector for the NSPCC, and Safeguarding Lead for the National Autistic Society. Cassy currently sits on the Board of Trustees for a large charity that provides family support services within local communities. 

Justine Skeats, DipSW, BA (She/Her)

Justine is an expert safeguarding professional, who is registered with Social Work England. Justine qualified as a Social Worker in 1993 and has 30 years experience working across the gamut of sectors including the statutory, voluntary, humanitarian and governmental. Justine has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Applied Social Studies, a Diploma in Social Work and a Diploma in Leadership and Management (Level 7) registered with the CMI. Justine began her career working in front line social work with children and families. 

Justine was the Head of Safeguarding for the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) for five years, providing expert oversight to safeguarding decision making across all areas of the Inquiry’s business. Prior to this, she worked for many years in the NSPCC. Justine has expertise working in the humanitarian sector as the Global Head of Safeguarding for an INGO, working in countries in the Global South giving her unique experiences of working with diverse communities. Justine has authored articles published in VOICE magazine about her work in safeguarding and gender based violence in South Sudan.

Justine has provided consultation services for a range of statutory Inquiries and reviews including; UK Covid-19 Inquiry, Future of Church Safeguarding Review, the Lampard Inquiry, the Whyte Review and the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR). Justine also sits on the Board of Trustees for an intimate partner abuse refuge and Child Sexual Exploitation service based in Rotherham.

Tom Strannix, MA, MBACP (He/Him)

Tom is a mental health professional, registered as an accredited counsellor and psychotherapist with the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy. Tom has an Advanced Diploma in Counselling & Therapy, a Master of Arts Degree in Advanced Child Protection, and is qualified as a clinical supervisor and therapist in a range of trauma therapies, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and Trauma Focused CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). Tom has almost 20 years experience as a clinician, and over ten years experience as a clinical supervisor and consultant in trauma-informed support and safeguarding models. 

Tom’s experience includes a range of senior leadership positions across public, private and voluntary sector organisations, UK-wide and the US. Tom held a senior role for four years at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), as a Clinical Lead advising the solicitor to the Inquiry and the Chair, with specific responsibility for the Inquiry’s trauma-informed approach and emotional support offer to witnesses, core participants, the wider public and Inquiry staff. Tom has also provided advice and consultancy to Inquiry public engagement activity. Outside of IICSA, Tom has advised a range of other inquiries including the Thirlwall, Manchester Arena, Infected Blood and UK Covid-19 public inquiries.

Beyond Inquiry work, Tom works in a senior leadership role for safeguarding in a national digital mental health service and provides a range of consultancy and supervision to clinical and safeguarding professionals, either working independently or for national providers.