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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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
