Paul Smith

I am currently a member of the policing senior leadership team, leading a team of detectives in the delivery of public protection across three large, challenging and diverse south London boroughs.  I am a dynamic and dedicated individual with a demonstrated history of passion towards safeguarding children and adults and have directed my adult career to this field. I have built strong partnerships with statutory and voluntary organisations and enjoy joint problem solving and implementing organisational learning. I bring an outstanding record of thriving in the most sensitive and high-pressured environments, driving performance, inspiring confidence and protecting children and adults at risk of harm or neglect.

I am the Senior Leader for a diverse team of 32 detectives and their line managers, servicing South London Boroughs in the delivery of child and adult safeguarding. I lead on a wide range of complex investigations focussing on the exploitation, abuse and neglect of vulnerable children and adults. I chair multi-Agency strategy meetings and direct on fast time assessment and management of critical risk. I implement complex strategies as the senior partner for three safeguarding children’s boards as set out by Children and Social Work Act 2017 and Working Together 2023. I have an innovative approach to problem solving and have used my knowledge, along with structured reports and data, to instigate and contribute to both the vulnerable adolescent and serious youth violence reviews which were published and adopted nationally. These have informed best practice in early identification and management of risk and have focussed on the voice of the child. I have personally overseen partner investigations with sporting bodies, including the FA and British Gymnastics, which have resulted in children and adults being safeguarded by exchanging and learning best practice under section 47 of the children’s act. I ensure that learning is embedded organisationally as a developmental mentor, especially working with frontline staff with protected characteristics to enable the sharing and development of skills. I hold significant strategic oversight and have delivered performance goals in a climate of exceptional demand. 

Educated to GCSE level with 7 grade c and above passes. Performance degree in music.