Jan Coles is the Children’s Services Development Manager Barnardo’s Cymru Seraf Services


WINNER: Voluntary and Not for Profit

Jan Coles is the Children’s Services Development Manager of the Seraf Project, a division of Barnardo’s which works with children and young people in Wales who have been sexually exploited. Jan was employed in 2004 to complete research into sexual abuse in Wales and from this remit, and with great drive and commitment, brought the issue under the spotlight.

Her groundbreaking study, ‘Out of Sight, Out of Mind’ identified more than 184 young people across Wales who were being sexually exploited and since then Jan has worked tirelessly to put this issue on the political agenda in Wales. She has worked to highlight the issue at Welsh Assembly Government and Local Authority level, for example by presenting research findings at two landmark conferences in North and South Wales to Welsh Assembly Government Ministers, civil servants, Assembly Members and local authority officers.

The Barnardo’s Cymru Seraf service, headed by Jan, now provides a team of specialists who are working directly with more than 40 young people affected by sexual exploitation. She and her team have worked with 10 of the 22 local authorities in Wales, providing training to social workers and helping bring about changes in practice.

The sexual exploitation risk assessment framework will now form part of the All Wales Child Sexual Exploitation Protocol, which will be adopted by local Safeguarding Children’s Boards.

Jan’s passion and drive to improve the lives of children and young people who are sexually exploited has led momentum for change in Wales. She is passionate, committed and supportive.

Tell us something your colleagues don’t know about you?
I have spent two weeks on holiday learning how to do cartwheels

Who inspires you?
The young people I work with every day – seeing them overcome the daily challenges of their lives

What is your top leadership tip?
To show that you care and act upon the things that concern your team and just do what you say you’ll do!