The KIJIJI community champions the equitable growth and progression of Black Safeguarding Professionals (BSPs) across sectors.
Born out of a need for greater support and better outcomes for BSPs, we exist to help BSPs thrive.
Our ultimate aim is to ensure BSPs have the skills and connections to succeed in their careers; therefore protecting more children and young people in need of help and protection by ensuring racial equity for the BSPs working with them. We want inclusive, intersectional systems and practice in environments where BSPs work.
KIJIJI
The community for Black Safeguarding Professionals working with children.
OUR MISSION
We champion the empowerment, advancement and success of Black Safeguarding Professionals through networking, education, support and opportunities.
OUR VISION
Our vision is fairness and equity for Black professionals in their work to safeguard children.
OUR VALUES
Our values inform all that we are and do:
Children First
Committed to improving the lives of all children in need of help and protection
Excellence
Promoting the highest quality at all times, including self-care and well-being.
Collaboration
Nothing can be achieved in isolation.
Bravery
Change requires integrous words and actions, even in the face of challenge and adversity.
OUR TEAM
Co-founders and BSPs, Laurelle Brown and Adéolu Solarin have over 40 years experience of child protection and safeguarding services between them. This includes children’s social care, police, youth justice, youth and community work, further education, violence against women and girls, violence reduction and more. Laurelle is a qualified Youth and Community Worker and Adéolu, a Community Safety and Safeguarding Professional.
KIJIJI has published research on the experiences and support for BSPs in the UK.
Adé Solarin
Co-founder and Director
Ade started out as a Court Monitor Intern, for a feminist domestic violence charity called Women At The Court House (WATCH) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, shortly after graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Sociology and Criminology. The 12-month role involved gender-based violence policy research, notably on the impact of strangulation on Minnesota law. Ade also worked as a Probation Officer in Hennepin County, Minnesota, before moving to London to obtain a Master’s degree in Criminology, Youth Justice and Community Safety at Middlesex University.
Ade’s career in the U.K. has involved the commissioning of gender-based violence services, development of multi-agency safeguarding partnerships, and public safety and strategic analysis, with his work taking him across the U.K. and other countries. Ade enjoys volunteering, currently serving as Vice Chair of Against Violence & Abuse (AVA), and a clock collector in his spare time. Ade is currently a Civil Servant with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire Rescue Services (HMICFRS) as an Assistant Portfolio Director, leading child protection inspections of police forces in England & Wales.
Why KIJIJI is important to me…
“I’m extremely passionate about safeguarding; working with children and young people, and the many competent Black professionals who also do. I have been incredibly blessed to have a wonderful career (so far!) supported by mentors, leadership courses, and networks along the way. However, too often I have seen access to opportunities have not always been fair and equal for myself and my fellow professionals. KIJIJI is about connecting Black Safeguarding Professionals together, as it truly takes a village to raise a child, especially if that village is empowered.”
Laurelle Brown
Co-Founder and Director
Laurelle began her career as a volunteer youth worker on play schemes and respite breaks for children with disabilities, and fundraising for her local Women’s Aid Refuge. She has over 20 years experience in a range of cross-sector frontline, research, strategy and leadership roles including in further education, violence reduction, children’s social care, youth offending and child exploitation and missing services. She has a Master's degree in Youth and Community Work (JNC qualified) and is a Churchill Fellow having travelled across Europe to research 'Foster care for adolescents with "complex needs"'.
Laurelle now uses her expertise and lived experience in various roles, including as Director of Laurelle Brown Training and Consultancy, where she works with leaders tackle equality, diversity and inclusion change across systems for children. She is also an Independent Scrutineer for Tower Hamlets local Safeguarding Children Partnership, and volunteers as a School Governor, Peer Cadre member for the National Police Chiefs Council Vulnerability Knowledge and Practice Programme (VKPP) and Trustee for The Association of Safeguarding Partners (TASP).
Why KIJIJI is important to me…
“I have achieved much that I am proud of in my career, and I am really grateful for the opportunities and support along the way. As a neurodivergent, Black woman, there have been many barriers and challenges that I have faced, many of which I still face now. My experience of pushing through has taught me a lot, however, the journey should not be this hard. For me, KIJIJI is one way to help Black Safeguarding Professionals access the valuable support, networks and opportunities that may be being denied in their careers”.
KIJIJI, Capital Office, 124-128 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX
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