Brian Atkins BSc, CQSW, MBA has had an extensive career in social care as a practitioner, manager, trainer and independent consultant. He worked extensively in local authority child and adult protection, leaving care, residential care and youth offending, where he contributed to the national design and development of this service.

As an independent consultant he worked with organisations at a strategic level in organisational and systems development, including collaborations with senior academics on the development of the Front Door model for children's Services. His company, ETC, was included in the register of recommended providers under the government's Children Services Improvement Plan.

Brian has had a long term interest in the importance of personal safety for practitioners, and in supporting their ability to work effectively in challenging environments. He worked with government initiatives including the 'Safer Place' Task force. Within ETC he provided training in personal safety and constructive behaviour management for social care staff and managers.

He remains actively involved in the sport of judo, coaching regularly and is the chair of his local club. He is proud to be contributing to this life changing activity, and enjoys seeing the personal development of children and adults who take up the sport.