Welcome to Orava
Supporting Organisations in Complex and Sensitive Matters
Education providers today face increasing scrutiny in how they respond to non‑academic misconduct. Allegations involving sexual misconduct, harassment, bullying, safeguarding concerns or serious behavioural issues frequently sit outside traditional academic processes and can mirror the complexity, risk and sensitivity routinely managed within the criminal justice system.
In criminal justice settings, such matters are handled by trained specialists with established investigative skills, structured decision‑making frameworks and professional communication expertise. By contrast, those working within higher education institutions are often expected to manage similarly complex and high‑risk cases without being afforded the same level of specialist training, support or experience.
This gap is brought into sharper focus by the Office for Students’ Condition E6 on harassment and sexual misconduct, which places clear regulatory expectations on providers to demonstrate robust, fair and defensible approaches to investigation and decision‑making, often in circumstances that demand skills more commonly associated with policing and criminal justice practice.
Similarly in schools and Further Education (FE) colleges, senior leaders and governors are increasingly required to manage complex investigations involving safeguarding and serious misconduct, often with little or no formal training. These matters can be high‑risk and emotionally charged, particularly where clear, appropriate communication with children and young people is essential
Orava Consulting exists to bridge that gap...
Drawing on experience gained from working across both the criminal justice system and educational settings, we translate the very best of investigative practice, decision‑making frameworks and communication skills into contexts that are specifically tailored for educational institutes. Our work is informed by a deep understanding of the realities, constraints and responsibilities faced by those working in schools, colleges and higher education institutions.
We equip Student Conduct Investigators, School and FE Leaders and senior decision‑makers with the skills, confidence and professional judgement required to:
Reduce organisational and personal risk
Ensure clarity, fairness and defensibility in outcomes
Communicate effectively in high‑stakes and emotionally charged situations
Make sound decisions in complex and sensitive cases
By adapting proven principles from criminal justice practice, rather than importing them wholesale, Orava ensures that every approach, framework and intervention is designed to meet the needs of educational environments. This enables institutions to respond with confidence, consistency and integrity when it matters most.
Beyond education, Orava also provides training and consultancy solutions for organisations across the public and private sectors. With extensive experience delivering investigative and interviewing training to police forces and other public and private sector organisations, including as an Associate Trainer and Consultant. We understand the operational pressures faced by professionals who must make sound decisions under scrutiny. Our programmes are grounded in credible, evidence‑based practice and adapted to the unique demands of each sector, ensuring that every organisation receives training that is practical, relevant and immediately applicable
Training
Grounded in real‑world experience, our sessions build confidence and capability in a range of vital skills.
Independent Investigation
Impartial, evidence‑led investigations with fairness, transparency, and integrity
Advisory
Supporting and strengthening investigative and regulatory practice across policing, public services, and the wider organisational landscape through specialist training and consultancy.
Support
Providing advice to individuals under investigation on whether the appropriate procedures have been correctly followed.
What Does Orava Do?
Non-Educational
Offering expert guidance on complex and sensitive matters, such as interview strategies and case reviews