“Liz had decades of experience in senior roles across local authority children’s services, but we first came to know her when she joined us as an outstanding Associate Trainer. Thousands of professionals benefited from Liz’s training over the years, and among her many legacies is a workforce with greater knowledge and confidence on child sexual abuse, thanks in a large part to her skill and empathy as a trainer. Her feedback was always second-to-none, with professionals welcoming her “calm demeanour”, as someone who “listened well”, a “knowledgeable trainer” and more generally “very professional, a great presenter, very sensitive and well-informed. As one professional put it: “Liz was great, her knowledge was brilliant, she explained things really well, professional but human and approachable”.

“We later were able to bring Liz more closely into the CSA Centre team, as one of our Practice Improvement Advisors, where she added such a huge amount to our work that it’s simply impossible to do justice to her. She contributed her knowledge and expertise in statutory social work and multi-agency partnership working to our research reports, resource development and policy work, helping to ensure that our work had relevance and resonance for those in practice.

“She had the rare combination of knowledge and skill in both social work and child sexual abuse and was fundamental in the development of many of our teaching materials and training courses. She challenged her colleagues’ thinking with confidence and sensitivity, ensuring that the voice of children who have experienced sexual abuse was central to our work.

“Liz had a particular interest in family law and during her time with us created guidance for Cafcass Cymru on working with intra-familial child sexual abuse. Her ideas on what needs to be done to improve the judicial response to child sexual abuse have been integral to our plans for further work in this area – it is with sadness that she will not be part of the team taking these forward, though we hope to harness her thinking and passion to create change for children who find themselves in this system.

“Most recently, Liz was a core member of the team leading a review of child sexual abuse in the family environment for the national Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, and her insights and thoughtful reflections on practice had been, and continue to be, absolutely invaluable to that work.

“Liz was a deeply respected member of the team whose views and perspectives were valued highly. She had a wicked sense of humour and a positive approach that made her a joy to work with. For those outside the CSA Centre she is remembered for her passion and commitment – as one person put it “I loved working with her, such a kind, thoughtful and inspirational woman.” And another, “Her energy and commitment to protecting children was evident and a valuable legacy.”

“Liz will be remembered as someone who spent her life fighting for vulnerable children, adults and their families, with a particular passion and expertise in tackling child sexual abuse. The impact she made in this regard is tremendous. Liz’s death is a not only a loss to her family, friends and colleagues, but the children for whom she devoted her career. We hope to continue the great work she begun and make her proud of the changes we make.”

Liz’s family is happy for us to share the funeral details for anyone that would like to attend:
Friday 31st May 2024
11:30am, St Stephen’s Church, Lansdown Road, Bath, BA1 5XS
Followed by a celebration of Liz’s life at 1:00pm, The Boathouse, Newbridge Road, BA1 3NB