PROVIDING SPECIALIST INSIGHT AND SUPPORT

INDEPENDENT REVIEWER

LEADERSHIP COACH

CONSULTANCY / RESEARCH

DOCTOR SHONAGH DILLON

Hi, I’m Shonagh Dillon

I’ve spent over three decades working in the men’s violence against women sector, listening to and supporting victims and survivors, challenging systems, and leading organisations through complex, often uncomfortable change. That experience sits at the heart of everything I offer.

My work is grounded in feminist principles, evidence, and a deep commitment to trauma informed practice. Whether I’m carrying out an independent review, delivering consultancy, leading research, coaching leaders, or providing clinical supervision - my aim is the same: to strengthen practice, improve accountability, and help people and organisations perform better.

Doctor of Criminal Justice - University of Portsmouth, June 2021

Institute of Leadership & Management Level 7 Certificate in Executive and Senior Level Coaching and Mentoring, Inspired to Learn, May 2026.

Home Office Accredited DHR Chair and Author, October 2024

WORKING WITH ME

Different ways to work with me

Coaching

Through my own career journey, I have come to believe that workplaces should be both supportive and transformative spaces for personal and professional growth. My coaching is grounded in person‑centred and trauma‑informed practice, recognising that how people show up in any one moment is shaped by many interwoven personal, professional and societal experiences. I see these experiences not as barriers, but as valuable sources of insight - often becoming the catalyst for the change, learning and development people want to achieve.

Independent Reviews

I am a Home Office certified Chair and Author of Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews, and an Independent Reviewer for Welsh Government Single Unified Safeguarding Reviews. I bring decades of experience from across the Violence Against Women and Girls sector, which deeply shapes how I approach every review I lead.
My work is grounded in compassion, integrity and care, always placing victims at the heart of the review process. I am committed to working collaboratively with partners to create thoughtful, robust learning that honours those who have died and strengthens practice so that victims and survivors are better supported in the future.

Consultancy & Research

I help organisations navigate complexity with clarity, care and rigour. Drawing on decades of senior leadership experience, I deliver evidence‑informed research and consultancy that strengthens systems, supports reflective practice and creates lasting learning.

COACHING

What to expect from Profesional Coaching

We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be.”
Jane Austen, Mansfield Park.

1:1 Coaching

A supportive, focused space to think clearly, work through real challenges and lead with greater confidence and purpose.

Group Coaching

Carefully facilitated group work that helps teams learn together, deepen trust and tackle shared challenges with honesty and insight.

Reflective Practice and Supervision

Thoughtful, structured spaces to pause, make sense of complex work and strengthen ethical, reflective decision‑making. (Group and 1:1 sessions available).

Leadership Development and Advisory Sessions

Working with senior leaders and leadership teams in complex, high‑pressure environments, offering facilitated sessions, advisory input in high‑risk or high‑scrutiny contexts, and focused team development. (Group and 1:1 sessions available).

Client Reviews

At the beginning I didn’t really know what to expect, I had never done an anything like this before, Shonagh always kept the sessions relevant to what was happening for me at the time. She gave me a safe space where the session was tailored to me, and she incorporated other tools and activities which I found really useful. 

— Emma

I found the coaching experience with Shonagh very positive. It was engaging and kept my attention throughout, and the content felt highly relevant to my goals.

Shonagh made me feel really relaxed and gave me the confidence to open up and reflect on my goals and aspirations.

— Lisa

“Coaching with Shonagh has taken me from a position of feeling that I wasn’t enjoying my role to a more hopeful place, having reflected on the preparation I did for the first session and comparing that with my feelings at the end of the coaching programme, I now have a clearer sense of my own resources and what I bring to my role.

— Anna

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

What are independent reviews?

Reviews are not investigations into how someone died or who is culpable; they are about learning, reflection and strengthening practice to improve system‑wide learning for the future.

Client Reviews

We have worked with Dr Shonagh on three of our reviews. She brings unparalleled expertise, sensitivity, compassion and professionalism every time. I can highly recommend her Consultancy Services and I can assure you that any review undertaken by her will be of the highest standard throughout the entire process.

Gwynedd D. Owens, Senior Executive Officer Gwynedd and Anglesey CSP.

Dr Shonagh Dillon was professional, timely, and sensitive to the complexities of the case. She ensured that all participants understood the process, expectations, and next steps, and demonstrated empathy when engaging with family members and stakeholders.

Alison Goodfellow - Westmorland & Furness CSP

“Shonagh has chaired 2 DHRs for us and on both occasions has brought clarity and efficiency to the process whilst maintaining a compassionate, inclusive and respectful victim and family focus”.

Sarah Carter, Strategic Lead for Domestic Abuse, Hillingdon Council

CONSULTANCY & RESEARCH

Consultancy

I provide thoughtful, rigorous consultancy to organisations working in complex, high‑stakes environments. Drawing on decades of senior leadership experience, I help leaders and partnerships understand what’s really going on, strengthen systems and make confident, informed decisions. My work is practical, collaborative and focused on turning insight into action and sustainable change.

Research

I undertake ethical research grounded in doctoral‑level academic expertise and real‑world practice. I support organisations to explore complex and sensitive issues, generate credible evidence and bring insight to life in meaningful, accessible ways. My research creates learning that informs decision‑making, strengthens systems and supports lasting improvement.

“We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be.”

JANE AUSTEN, MANSFIELD PARK

Get in touch

For inquires, please feel free to reach out here. If you’re interested in 1:1 coaching, you can go ahead and schedule your free consultation now.