Matt O'Connor

More about Matt 

In addition to specialist expertise in Safeguarding Adults, Matt offers a broad skill-set including, service transformation, governance and risk, commissioning and performance, quality improvement, clinical leadership, professional education, team facilitation and organisational development. 

Matt has a proven track record of delivering workstreams within multi-agency partnerships and leading the health contribution to statutory reviews, including Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs), Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs), and Mental Health Homicide Reviews (MHHRs). His practice is underpinned by strong problem-solving and critical appraisal skills, and he brings extensive experience in authoring inter-agency patient safety reviews and conducting complex independent disciplinary investigations, applying a range of review methodologies.

Beyond health and care, Matt is a Chair of Governors for two Schools and Facilitator at Andy's Manclub suicide prevention charity. Matt also works in the outdoor industry, leading team-building programmes, archery and caving adventures for corporate groups, schools and families. He is particularly passionate about supporting accessibility and inclusion, ensuring that outdoor activities are open to adults and children of all ages and abilities.

As a Registered Nurse (Learning Disabilities), Matt worked in a long-stay hospital, before leading the re-provision of community-based service for adults with severe learning disabilities and complex health needs, working in partnership with housing associations and independent care providers. Matt went on to manage an NHS supported accommodation scheme, before taking up post as the Manager of a specialist 40 bed In-patient assessment and treatment unit, where he developed a further 8 bedded rehabilitation facility.

After almost 15 years in learning disabilities services, Matt spent the next 8 years in a corporate role as the Professional Development and Education Lead for a Large Community NHS Trust, designing and delivering a wide range of in-house training programmes and gaining invaluable experience in workforce planning and organisational development. As a member of several University Curriculum Committees, Matt regularly taught as an Honorary Lecturer on both pre-registration and post-graduate nursing programmes. Matt also worked with a technology start-up company to develop several e-learning programmes and collaborated with Further Education providers to develop a highly successful Healthcare Apprentice Scheme and Overseas Nurse Adaptation Programme. 

Building on his professional and organisational development experience, Matt became one of the first Designated Nurses for Safeguarding Adults in the country, working within NHS commissioning organisations for over 15 years and driving forward the safeguarding adults and MCA agenda across three heath districts. During this time, Matt was a member of the District CONTEST Board and Vice-chair of CHANNEL Panel as part of the local PREVENT arrangements. 

Matt set up and chaired the first Regional Network for Designated Nurses (Adults), establishing clinical supervision arrangements and working with local authority colleagues to develop Regional Multiagency Safeguarding Adults Procedures, as well as leading the development of regional commissioning standards for safeguarding adults.

As the senior health safeguarding practitioner on two Safeguarding Adults’ Boards, and chair of the SAB Improving Practice Sub-Group, Matt worked on numerous Safeguarding Adults and Domestic Homicide Reviews as well leading the health contribution to several Mental Health Homicide Reviews and authoring safeguarding related Inter-agency Patient Safety Reviews. 

On a national level, Matt contributed to the Department of Health guidance Safeguarding Adults: The Role of Health Services and as a member of the National Network for Making Safeguarding Personal. 

·  Registered Nurse (Learning Disability)- Retired 

·  BSc Hons. Nursing Practice

·  PGDip. Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care

·  PGCert. DoLS Best Interest Assessor

·  LEDER Reviewer Training