Hazel O'Halloran

I'm Hazel O'Halloran, and I founded Synergy Safeguarding after 25+ years working in safeguarding and domestic abuse, across housing associations, local authorities, social care and charities, from frontline practice to the Boardroom.

I trained as a Specialist Practitioner in Safeguarding Adults while working in Adult Social Care. I'm also a qualified Train the Trainer for both children's and adults' safeguarding. My background in homelessness, safeguarding and domestic abuse, and community investment has given me a real, grounded understanding of the challenges facing people at risk, not just the theory. As an ambassador for social change, I've commissioned safeguarding audits, managed key risk indicators and governance, and helped organisations build a genuine understanding of safeguarding and accountability, not just a compliance checklist.

My work raising awareness of safeguarding and domestic abuse was recognised as a winner at the National Housing Awards, and again in 2026 with a Women in Social Housing (WISH) Living Our Values regional award. I'm regularly invited to speak at conferences, webinars and podcasts, and I've delivered university modules, sharing sector insight and best practice with the next generation of practitioners.

I bring together professional expertise and personal lived experience to shape safeguarding solutions that are strategic and compliant, but also genuinely empathetic and grounded in real-life challenges.

Alongside Synergy Safeguarding, I'm a Non-Executive Director at Brighter Futures housing association, a facilitator for the Board Development Agency, and an associate for both SAFE (Safeguarding Associates For Excellence) and RLB Safeguarding. I also volunteer as a WISH Board member and a mentor for the Housing Diversity Network (HDN).

If you'd like to talk about consultancy, accreditation, or any other opportunity, I'd love to hear from you. hazel@synergysafeguarding.co.uk

I'm looking forward to supporting your organisation and your workforce.

Hazel O'HalloranFounder, Synergy Safeguarding