Getting our voice heard: empowering people with a learning disability to influence adult safeguarding policy

Dr Lorna Montgomery is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen’s University, Belfast.

Gavin Davidson is a Professor of Social Care and the Praxis Chair of Social Care at Queen’s University Belfast. His research focuses on mental health, disability, human rights and social inclusion.

Professor Berni Kelly is the Director of the Disability Research Network at Queen’s University Belfast. Her main research interests are in the areas of disability studies, care leavers, transitions to adult life and participatory research methods.

Linda McKendry is the Director of Services with Compass Advocacy Network where she manages service delivery for people with learning disabilities, autism and associated mental health needs. Linda has facilitated action based research projects involving people with learning disabilities over the last 22 years and has a specialist interest in safeguarding.

Leslie-Anne Newton is the Northern Ireland Director of Association for Real Change. Previous positions include Head of Programmes for Save the Children. Leslie-Anne has also worked for Warwickshire County Council and the NSPCC.

Paul Webb is the Head of Research, Praxis Care. Previous positions include Research Manager and Research Officer with Praxis Care. Paul also served as Research and Information Officer at the Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NIACRO).

Lisamarie Wood is an Advanced Fuels Programme Manager in the Low Carbon Fuels division of the UK Department for Transport. She previously held the position of Research Officer at Praxis Care, Belfast whilst also serving as a Visiting Research Associate at Queen's University Belfast.