Our staff

Learn about the individuals who make up the CAPE Mentors team and the supporters who have enabled us to grow.

Hussein Hussein – CEO

Hussein is driven by his own experiences navigating challenges many students face today. Having grown up within London, particularly council estates around the Hackney and Islington border, Hussein has witnessed, first-hand, the effects of poor education and poverty.

Hussein has just under a decade’s worth of teaching experience gained within some of the capital’s most challenging school environments. Initially, he worked within a ‘special measures’ primary school before he left to a PRU (Pupil Referral Unit). Whilst at the PRU, Hussein progressed into an Assistant Head role and led the centre for secondary aged students. He worked tirelessly to support the PRU on its successful journey from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘good’.

Amy Jaffa – Research and Development Director

Amy has over ten years’ experience working in the UK education sector, including within a London Local Authority’s Virtual School for Looked After Children, mainstream secondary schools, a primary school, a Pupil Referral Unit and non-profit settings. She has a Level 1 qualification in Systemic Family Therapy and is trained in trauma and attachment informed practice with children and young people. Alongside her work at CAPE Mentors, Amy is also completing a PhD at Oxford University’s Department of Education, where her research focuses on the education of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Steven Marshall – Director of Mentoring

Steven is a life long London resident, who has been working within the community for over 18 years. Having spent the last 9 years working in post 16 education in Hackney. Steven has seen the positive and negative effects of the educational sector for our young people.

Steven is also the founder of Sports and Life Skills CIC which is a community-led initiative dedicated to teaching children valuable life skills through engaging sports activities.

Steven has a wealth of experience in the community sector and is passionate about positive change for young people. He serves on his local community centre’s board to ensure young people have a voice in their area.

CAPE Mentors helped a young person I work with to access activities in the community and supported them to better manage their behaviour at school after a year out of education. The young person had experienced a significant amount of trauma and disruption in their life, and struggled to form relationships and trust people. Despite this, their mentor quickly built a strong relationship with them.

Eve Goodman Social Worker, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea