Kofo Agbalaya

Kofo brings over 25 years of experience across the local authority and charitable sectors, specialising in the education, support, and safeguarding of children, vulnerable adults, and families. Her career spans frontline practice, operational leadership, and senior management, with a consistent focus on early intervention and inclusive, family-centred practice.

After completing a BA (hons) in Public Policy, Kofo spent a year as an au pair in the USA, this exposed her to the joys of working with children. As a consequence Kofo diverted from a career in government and politics to begin her professional journey working with children. After studying the Montessori method at a post graduate level, she went on to manage two early years settings, gaining deep insight into Early Years education and child development. She later worked as a Family Support Worker in Lambeth, supporting families facing complex challenges such as domestic violence, homelessness, and mental health issues. She is a trained facilitator of a range of parenting programmes and holds an NVQ Level 4 in supporting families with complex needs.

After 8 years of front-line work, Kofo then progressed to a Team Manager at Bromley Council, Kofo managed one of the borough’s Children’s Centres, overseeing a team of 15 staff and the delivery of early intervention family support and the delivery of several evidence-based parenting programmes. She later held a leadership role at NSPCC’s Childline, managing the night service, and a client facing role at Coram Voice, where she supported children entering in and leaving the care system.

Supporting young people and their families, by safeguarding from harm and promoting mental wellbeing have remained a consistent thread throughout her career. Now in leading the new Family Support Service in Wandsworth—the borough she grew up in—Kofo combines her knowledge, experience and skills with a strategic vision and a hands-on, relational approach to service delivery. Her leadership is key to the success of this pilot model, designed to improve outcomes for families through proactive, strengths-based interventions.