Emily Konstantas

Founder and Global Chief Executive Officer - The Safeguarding Alliance

Emily Konstantas is an international safeguarding leader, Global Founder and CEO of The Safeguarding Alliance and Chair of the British International Schools Safeguarding Coalition (BISSC). Her work spans the UK, Europe, the US, MENA and ASEAN, connecting legal reform, leadership and accountability across education, health, charity and sport.

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Emily has worked with the Ministry of Sport through LDI and, under her leadership, The Safeguarding Alliance partnered with Misk Schools to deliver the Kingdom’s first safeguarding forum, uniting schools and wider stakeholders.

She champions a “glocal” safeguarding model, combining international best practice with local legislation, cultural values and national priorities.

Her influence extends to contributions to the UK Education Select Committee, engagement at the House of Lords and campaigning for Della’s Law to close identity and vetting loopholes. Through BISSC, she advances cross-border safeguarding accountability. She also led the development of Roots to Branch, a progressive safeguarding curriculum for ages 5–18.

Emily holds undergraduate and postgraduate law qualifications, has completed the Legal Practice Course and is undertaking doctoral research in international child protection law. She contributes to national and international media, including the BBC, Sky News and GMB.

Her guiding principle: safeguarding must be understood, embedded and accountable at every level.

Speaker Sessions

GESS Talks Live 1525

Sep 29 2026 | 2:40pm - 3pm

Glocalising Safeguarding: A Saudi-Led Model for Leadership, Risk and Awareness

Session Summary:

Misk Schools is advancing safeguarding excellence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through a pioneering approach that brings international best practice together with Saudi values, culture and educational ambition.

This session showcases Misk Schools’ leadership in developing a “glocal” safeguarding model: internationally informed, authentically Saudi and embedded throughout school life. It demonstrates how a school can set a benchmark for safeguarding by connecting strong governance, proactive risk management and a shared culture of awareness.

Emily Konstantas and Wajdan Alshuaibi will explore three foundations of this approach:

- Leadership: placing safeguarding at the heart of strategic decisions, with clear accountability, Saudi leadership and a commitment to continuous improvement.
- Risk: developing the awareness and systems to anticipate concerns, recognise emerging risks and act early to protect students.
- Awareness: building understanding, confidence and shared responsibility across staff, students and families through culturally aligned communication and trusted relationships.

Drawing on Misk Schools’ approach, the speakers will demonstrate how international expertise and local knowledge strengthen one another, creating safeguarding practice that is ambitious, practical and responsive to the community it serves.

The session highlights Misk Schools’ contribution to shaping the future of safeguarding in the Kingdom, sharing learning that can support schools across Saudi Arabia and contribute to international safeguarding practice.

At Misk Schools, safeguarding is integral to leading educational excellence.

Speakers

Emily Konstantas | Founder and Global Chief Executive Officer - The Safeguarding Alliance
Wajdan Alshuaibi | Senior designated safeguarding lead - MISK Schools