24 October 2023

CNWL today announces the strengthening of our Safeguarding and Social Work teams with the appointment of:

  • Dr Su Sukamaran - Named Safeguarding Doctor for the Trust
  • Emma Kay -  Head of Safeguarding Children
  • Vava Tampa - Deputy Head Social Work & Social Care

Maria O’Brien, CNWL’s Chief Nurse, said, “I’m so pleased to announce these appointments and welcome them to their new roles; I know they will make a difference to our services, making them safer and developing our Social Work further. Congratulations to all three.”

Dr Su Sukumaran

Su Sukumaran is the Named Safeguarding Doctor for the Trust

I have been a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist for over 20 years and joined K & C CAMHS Neurodevelopmental Team in 2022. I have a close connection with this part of London, having been a Paediatric and Child Psychiatric trainee here before starting my consultant career in Ealing. As well as Neurodevelopmental Disorders, my interests include human rights – I have an LLM, am an Equality Champion at the RCPsych, and have been involved in EDI projects in various organisations. I am a mum of one and in my spare time enjoy volunteering.

Having been Acting Named Doctor at borough level in the past, I am looking forward to joining a network of dynamic colleagues and to the opportunities to develop strategy and training this role.

Emma Kay

Emma Kay is the Head of Safeguarding Children

I have worked in the field of safeguarding children for a number of years and for the last five years as Named Nurse for Safeguarding Children in Hillingdon within CNWL. In the last year I have also worked as Interim Head of Safeguarding Children.  I am passionate to ensure safeguarding children is recognised as everyone’s responsibility and for all staff to feel skilled and supported in recognising and responding when faced with safeguarding children concerns.

I feel really lucky to have this opportunity within CNWL and look forward to the continued work alongside the Head of Safeguarding Adults, Named Professionals and Safeguarding Teams to deliver and support the safeguarding agenda for CNWL.

Vava Tampa

Vava-Malakani Tampa is Deputy Head Social Work & Social Care

Vava Tampa is an activist and a Social Worker. He is Deputy Head Social Work & Social Care. Vava is also an Approved Mental Health Professional in Brent, a Non Executive Director at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and chairs the British Association of Social Workers England. Vava writes on culture, decolonisation and Black Lives Matter[ing].