Leigh McFarlane is the founder and director of Kaizen Safeguarding, bringing over 25 years of hands-on safeguarding experience across the faith, education, and charity sectors. Leigh is widely respected for her expertise in safeguarding training, consultancy, public policy advocacy, research, survivor advocacy, and staff and volunteer debriefing. A passionate advocate for children, young people, adults at risk, and survivors of abuse, Leigh is committed to creating safer, braver environments where all voices are heard and valued.

Leigh holds a Master’s degree in Safeguarding in the International Context (with distinction) and has co-authored research on safeguarding co-production in international faith-based contexts, and abuse in religious communities. She has contributed her insight and leadership to a number of strategic groups, including the Cross-Party Group for Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse at the Scottish Parliament, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Safeguarding in Faith Communities at Westminster, the Department for Education’s Out-of-School Steering Group, the Board of a Scottish youth charity and a Church Leadership Team. Her work has helped shape public policy at Westminster, Holyrood, and Stormont. 

Leigh brings considerable expertise to a wide range of safeguarding consultancy services, supporting organisations to strengthen their safeguarding culture and practice. Her consultancy work includes safeguarding audits and reviews, organisational safeguarding restructuring, past case and learning reviews, and risk assessments for managing complex or ongoing concerns. Leigh also provides specialist support in crisis management, advice consultations, and the development of safeguarding policy and procedures. With a strong focus on practical, effective solutions, Leigh works alongside organisations to build confidence, clarity, and capacity in their safeguarding responsibilities.

Leigh regularly contributes to safeguarding events and conferences across the UK and Ireland. She has spoken at conferences and seminars spanning the faith, education and charity sectors. Furthermore, she has delivered bespoke safeguarding training to national and international organisations.  Leigh also provides Safeguarding Associate services for UK based organisations.  

In addition to her safeguarding work, Leigh brings rich experience in the fields of faith, education and the charity sector. She is a qualified SEN, pastoral and geography teacher (having held management posts within school guidance systems); a youth counsellor; an NGO/charity debriefer, and remains actively involved in grassroots community volunteering with children and young people, including those with additional needs. Leigh also serves as a safeguarding lead within a multi-site faith organisation.

Her vision is clear: a culture of safeguarding excellence in every organisation—where every person is safe, and every person is brave.