SERAH VANESSA AKUN
Nairobi
Summary
Seasoned safeguarding and rehabilitation expert with extensive experience in criminal justice systems, encompassing courts and probation services. Specializes in risk-informed design and execution of impactful safeguarding policies. Proven track record in orchestrating multi-agency collaborations and providing strategic counsel to stakeholders on enhancements within justice systems. Global exposure offers a distinctive viewpoint on governance and reform initiatives in safeguarding.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Criminal Justice Care Coordinator
Change Grow Live
07.2024 - 12.2025
- Managed a high-risk caseload of up to 50 individuals within the criminal justice system, conducting comprehensive risk assessments, safeguarding screenings, and structured support planning.
- Delivered court-mandated assessment, treatment, and referral (ATR) services and monitored court-ordered drug rehabilitation requirements, ensuring compliance and reporting progress to justice authorities.
- Coordinated substance misuse treatment pathways, working closely with clinical teams on safe prescribing, detoxification, and rehabilitation planning.
- Delivered structured one-to-one interventions using trauma-informed practice and motivational interviewing to support behaviour change and recovery outcomes.
- Identified and escalated safeguarding concerns, completing referrals and contributing to multi-agency risk management and protection processes.
- Worked closely with domestic violence specialists and victim-support practitioners (IDVA-equivalent roles) to manage cases involving intimate partner violence, coercive control, and high-risk safeguarding concerns.
- Completed critical risk and public-interest documentation to support safeguarding decisions, including managed moves for clients facing immediate safety threats.
- Liaised closely with law enforcement agencies in cases involving serious risk, including drug trafficking-related threats and drug-debt intimidation, to support client safety and risk mitigation while maintaining strict confidentiality.
- Prepared clear, evidence-based reports for courts and justice agencies, informing compliance, sentencing, and rehabilitation decisions.
- Represented cases at funding and review panels and participated in multi-agency forums including probation reviews, safeguarding meetings, and high-risk case conferences.
- Engaged families and partner organisations to strengthen reintegration, stability, and long-term recovery outcomes.
Anti-Trafficking & Modern Slavery First Responder (Volunteer)
Salvation Army
06.2023 - 11.2024
- Identified and supported survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery through victim-centred screening, safeguarding, and referral mechanisms.
- Conducted sensitive interviews and needs assessments to document exploitation indicators and immediate protection risks.
- Guided survivors through formal protection and referral processes, ensuring informed consent, rights awareness, and access to services.
- Responded to urgent safeguarding and welfare concerns, escalating cases in line with risk-management protocols.
- Coordinated referrals to specialist services including psychosocial support, legal aid, healthcare, housing, and livelihood support.
- Provided ongoing case support through recovery, stabilisation, and reintegration phases, working collaboratively with NGOs and statutory protection partners.
Mental Health Support Worker
Libre Living
03.2022 - 06.2024
- Provided intensive psychosocial support to young people aged 16-22 with complex mental health conditions, high-risk behaviours, and safeguarding concerns.
- Supported statutory and hospital-referred cases, including referrals from local authorities and mental health hospitals following crisis admissions.
- Conducted continuous risk monitoring and early identification of safeguarding or relapse concerns.
- Maintained detailed case documentation, safeguarding records, and progress reports in line with professional and legal standards.
- Worked closely with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, emergency services, and education providers to implement care and risk-management plans.
- Delivered emotional regulation, de-escalation, and stabilisation support using trauma-informed approaches within multidisciplinary teams.
Rehabilitation Intern
Nueva Esperanza Treatment & Wellness Centre
09.2020 - 12.2020
- Supported individual and group therapeutic interventions within a multidisciplinary rehabilitation and mental health setting.
- Assisted in monitoring clients with substance use disorders and co-occurring psychosocial needs.
- Facilitated psycho-education sessions on recovery, relapse prevention, and wellbeing.
- Supported discharge, reintegration, and aftercare planning, linking clients to community-based services.
Education
MSc - Investigative Forensic Psychology
Bournemouth University
BSc - Psychology
United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa)
NairobiCertificate - Chemical Dependency Counselling Programme
United States International University-Africa
NairobiPre-Masters - Law, Business or Finance
Bournemouth International College
Skills
- Safeguarding systems design
- Risk assessment and safety planning
- Child protection strategies
- Vulnerable populations safeguarding
- Criminal justice case management
- Court-mandated rehabilitation programs
- Policy development and review
- Implementation support services
- Trauma-informed practices
- Survivor-centered approaches
- Multi-agency coordination efforts
- Inter-agency case conferencing
- Safeguarding referrals and escalation mechanisms
- Accountability and compliance monitoring
- Court and statutory report writing
- Quality assurance documentation
- Reintegration and recovery planning
- Psycho-education interventions
- Stakeholder engagement strategies
Professional Title
Criminal Justice, Rehabilitation and Safeguarding Specialist
Availability
Immediate
References
Available upon request.
Timeline
Criminal Justice Care Coordinator
Change Grow Live
07.2024 - 12.2025
Anti-Trafficking & Modern Slavery First Responder (Volunteer)
Salvation Army
06.2023 - 11.2024
Mental Health Support Worker
Libre Living
03.2022 - 06.2024
Rehabilitation Intern
Nueva Esperanza Treatment & Wellness Centre
09.2020 - 12.2020
MSc - Investigative Forensic Psychology
Bournemouth University
BSc - Psychology
United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa)
Certificate - Chemical Dependency Counselling Programme
United States International University-Africa
Pre-Masters - Law, Business or Finance
Bournemouth International College