Andrew Bickley will become the next Independent Chair of the Diocese of Oxford Safeguarding Panel.
He comes with a wealth of experience in safeguarding having worked for the police for 30 years before serving on the National Safeguarding Panel for the last five years as well as operating his own independent safeguarding consultancy. He was also a PCR2 reviewer, working with a large diocese as well as reviewing the National Safeguarding Team.
The Independent Chair of the Safeguarding Panel works to oversee safeguarding within the diocese from our Church House team to the valued volunteers in our parishes.
Andrew said: “My portfolio work has given me fantastic exposure to safeguarding, to crisis, to how to learn from things which go wrong in complex situations and organisations.
“I have worked in my national role with safeguarding team members in Oxford and have been impressed by the level of ambition, the level of progress and the initiative that have been developed particularly how they have supported the development of the survivors group.
“I was keen to work in a large diocese one at scale and one which is performing well, with the aim of how I can further that improvement.”
Responsibilities of the safeguarding panel include:
- Audit, quality assurance and independent report capability;
- Strengthening best practice so that we learn from our own experience, and that of other dioceses, and adapt our practice accordingly;
- Being an agent of learning and culture change so that safeguarding is a deeply held value and deeply embedded practice in the life of our diocese and its churches.
Andrew started work as an undertaker’s assistant before joining the police service in 1984. Over a 30-year career, he rose to the rank of Assistant Chief Constable, leading safeguarding for children and adults, major firearms operations, and high-profile public order events. Andrew has received judicial and in-service commendations for bravery and leadership.
Following his career in policing, Andrew has worked as an independent consultant, specialising in leading multi-agency safeguarding partnerships, driving organisational assessments of safeguarding policy, practice and culture, and serving as a lead reviewer and published author of statutory safeguarding reviews for children and adults. He has undertaken reviews into safeguarding equality, diversity and inclusion, and the effectiveness of the Domestic Homicide Review framework. Andrew is committed to furthering the improvement of safeguarding systems both in the UK and globally.
Head of Safeguarding Louise Whitehead said: “We are delighted to welcome Andrew to the diocese. He has such solid experience in safeguarding and supporting vulnerable people. We are really looking forward to working with him.”
Andrew is married with two daughters who are studying at UK universities.
Find out more about safeguarding at the Diocese of Oxford.