The Bishop of Oxford has made clear that the care of vulnerable people and those who are survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation is a high priority for him, and for the Church of England as a whole.
Safeguarding has become embedded in the way we work. The independent safeguarding panel is key to ensuring our continous improvement and ongoing best practice.
The panel can, and does, hold the diocese to account on safeguarding effectiveness.
Peter Hay, CBE, is the independent chairman of the Diocese of Oxford Safeguarding Panel. Peter has a wealth of experience and a record of improving social services in some very challenging environments.
Responsibilities of the independent panel include:
- Audit, QA 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.
See also: the use and purpose of safeguarding learning reviews in the Diocese of Oxford.
Membership of the independent safeguarding panel
Post holders (other than ex-officio roles) serve for a three-year term, which is renewable. Appointments to the panel are made jointly by the Bishop of Oxford and the Independent Chair. Members are subject to performance review by the Chair (and of the Chair by other members of the Panel).
- The Rt Revd Olivia Graham
Lead Bishop for Safeguarding
- Peter Hay CBE
Independent Safeguarding Panel Chair
- Four parish representatives drawn from across the diocese
- Independent members drawn from across the diocese
including a survivor and those with experience of close working with survivors
- Louise Whitehead
Head of Safeguarding
- Poli Shajko
Director of Human Resources and Safeguarding
- The Venerable Guy Elsmore
Archdeacon of Buckingham
- Canon Mark Humphriss
Diocesan Secretary