Debbie Tolhurst NPQICL, PGCert, MA

Debbie joined the University in October 2020 as a teaching fellow. Prior to moving to the university she had been in practice as a Named Nurse for Children’s safeguarding. Debbie has worked in children’s safeguarding for the last four years where she has gained knowledge and experience within MASH and MARAC. She has had children’s safeguarding experience from both practice and a strategic standpoint which enables her to have a good insight into children’s safeguarding practices.

Debbie has both acute hospital and community experience of children’s safeguarding. For the last two year whilst in practice she was the PREVENT lead. As part of her role she attended CHANNEL panel and worked closely with the PREVENT team.

Although Debbie has only just recently joined the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) team, she has previous knowledge of the programme as she was Senior lecturer and Programme Lead between 2013-2016.

Prior to working at the University of Greenwich Debbie was a Children Center Manager for three Children Centers within Kent. This gave her an opportunity to work with the private, public and voluntary sector to deliver services to the local population and develop muti-agency working.

Debbie qualified as a Health Visitor in 2003 where she gained knowledge and experience working with families, giving advice, support and safeguarding.

Posts previously held

• 2018 - 2020 Named Nurse for Child Safeguarding, Kent and Medway Partner Trust
• 2016 - 2018 safeguarding advisor Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
• 2013 - 2016 Senior Lecturer/Programme Leader, Specialist Community Public Health Nursing. Greenwich university
• 2003 - 2007 Health Visitor West Kent PCT2007 - 2013 Children Centre Manager, Kent County Council
• 1998 - 1999 Student Health Visitor, Thameslink NHS1999 - 2003 Health Visitor, Thames Link NHS
• 1995 - 1998 Ward Manager, Acute Admissions Ward, Dartford and Gravesham Hospital
• 1993 - 1995 Ward Manager Medical and HIV Ward, Dartford and Gravesham Hospital
• 1991 - 1993 Senior Staff Nurse, Medical and HIV ward, Dartford and Gravesham Hospital
• 1990 - 1991 Staff Nurse, St Christopher’s Hospice