29 September - 1 October 2026
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The Arena, Riyadh | Saudi Arabia.
Syeda Sheena Raheman
Lead Counsellor and DSL - Beech Hall School Riyadh
I am a counselling professional, mental health specialist, and healthcare practitioner dedicated to promoting emotional well-being, safeguarding, and holistic development across educational and clinical settings.
With a foundation in pharmacology and healthcare, including experience with the NHS, I developed strong expertise in medicine management and patient-centred care. This journey shaped my understanding that true well-being extends beyond physical health, leading me to specialise in psychology, counselling, and special educational needs.
I currently serve as a Lead Counsellor and safeguarding gatekeeper, where I oversee safeguarding processes, support student well-being, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure ethical, effective, and child-centred practices. My work focuses on supporting children and young people with social, emotional, and behavioural challenges through personalised, evidence-based approaches that build resilience, self-awareness, and confidence.
A key strength of my practice is integrating healthcare knowledge with educational psychology, enabling a holistic approach to well-being. I am currently pursuing a Doctorate in Psychology and Counselling, reflecting my commitment to continuous growth, research, and leadership in the field.
Grounded in empathy, integrity, and compassion, I am driven to create safe, supportive environments where individuals feel heard, empowered, and able to thrive.
Speaker Sessions
GESS Talks Live
1525
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الحماية بدون ثغرات: بناء إطار حماية لا يُخترق في المدارس
Session Summary:
الحماية ليست مجرد وثيقة سياسة—إنها مسؤولية حية على مستوى المدرسة بأكملها تحمي كل طالب، كل يوم. ومع ذلك، فإن الثغرات في الأنظمة والتواصل والثقافة تترك الطلاب الضعفاء عرضة للخطر. تستكشف هذه الجلسة كيفية بناء أطر حماية شاملة متجذرة في اليقظة والمساءلة والثقة. اكتشف كيفية تحديد وسد الثغرات الشائعة، وإنشاء أدوار واضحة عبر جميع الموظفين، وتعزيز أنظمة الإبلاغ وحفظ السجلات، ودمج الحماية في العمليات اليومية، وتعزيز صوت الطلاب، وإشراك الأسر كشركاء، واستخدام البيانات للتدخل المبكر. انتقل من الاستجابة التفاعلية للأزمات إلى الحماية الاستباقية—إنشاء أطر مستدامة تتكيف مع المخاطر المتطورة وتضمن عدم سقوط أي طفل من خلال الثغرات. انضم إلى هذه الجلسة من أجل:
• تحديد وسد الثغرات الحرجة في أنظمة الحماية المدرسية لمعالجتها بشكل منهجي من خلال المساءلة على مستوى المدرسة بأكملها والثقافات الاستباقية
• إنشاء بنية تحتية قوية وشاملة للحماية مع بروتوكولات إبلاغ واضحة، وممارسات متسقة لحفظ السجلات، وتحليل البيانات لتحديد الأنماط، واستراتيجيات تدخل مبكر متدرجة تعالج المخاوف قبل التصعيد
• تطوير ثقافات وأطر حماية على مستوى المدرسة بأكملها بارعة في التكيف مع احتياجات الطلاب والمخاطر المتطورة
Safeguarding without Gaps: Building an Unbreakable Safeguarding Framework in Schools
Session Summary:
Safeguarding is not a policy document—it's a living, whole-school responsibility that protects every student, every day. Yet gaps in systems, communication, and culture leave vulnerable students at risk. This session explores how to build comprehensive safeguarding frameworks rooted in vigilance, accountability, and trust. Discover how to identify and close common gaps, establish clear roles across all staff, strengthen reporting and record-keeping systems, integrate safeguarding into daily operations, promote student voice, engage families as partners, and use data for early intervention. Move from reactive crisis response to proactive protection—creating sustainable frameworks that adapt to evolving risks and ensure no child falls through the cracks. Join this session to:
• Identify and close critical gaps in school safeguarding systems to systematically address them through whole-school accountability and proactive cultures
• Establish robust and comprehensive safeguarding infrastructure with clear reporting protocols, consistent record-keeping practices, data analysis for pattern identification, and tiered early intervention strategies that address concerns before escalation
• Develop whole-school safeguarding cultures and frameworks adept to evolving student needs and risks
In this session, you will explore approaches to career preparation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States from their perspectives as both educators and parents. Drawing on the speakers’ professional experiences and their personal journeys supporting children pursuing careers in the medical field, they will reflect on how schools can successfully contribute to students’ long-term career readiness. The session examines how early exposure to career pathways, structured guidance, vocational education, and strong academic preparation can support student decision-making, career-readiness, and long-term happiness and wellness. The session will offer practical recommendations for strengthening career education systems in the Kingdom.
• Compare career readiness programs and their outcomes
• Understand anecdotal family experiences and student-success experiences based on different career education models
• Discuss new directions and action steps for schools in the Middle East
