About

Erin is a highly experienced social worker and safeguarding specialist with nearly 20 years working in child protection and alongside vulnerable adults across a wide range of settings. After qualifying in Johannesburg in 2006, she founded the Tshepo Community Development Initiative in Northcliff, working in partnership with churches, police, and local government to support people experiencing homelessness through skills development and employment opportunities — creating pathways out of homelessness and restoring hope, dignity, and stability.

She later moved to the UK, where she worked in statutory Child Protection in a diverse London borough. In this role, she partnered with schools, health services, police, and NGOs, leading complex safeguarding work in high-risk situations. Her experience includes managing crisis teams, responding to serious safeguarding concerns, and supporting organisations to build systems that are not only compliant, but genuinely centred on listening to children and families.

Returning to South Africa in 2023, Erin now works at a strategic level with schools, NGOs, faith-based organisations, corporates, and community services across the country. She supports boards, leaders, and frontline staff to understand their safeguarding responsibilities, strengthen governance and accountability, and build cultures where safety, dignity, and respect are part of everyday practice.

Her approach is trauma-informed, rights-based, and grounded in both international best practice and local South African realities. Erin is passionate about making safeguarding practical, human, and accessible — moving it from "a policy on paper" to something that lives in classrooms, boardrooms, staff rooms, and community spaces, so that children and vulnerable people are not only protected, but truly seen, heard, and valued.