Message from Kerry Young the independent chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Panel:

My name is Kerry Young and I am the recently appointed Independent Chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP). The main purpose of the DSAP is to provide a source of advice, expertise, governance and scrutiny on safeguarding policies, procedures and practices to the Diocese of Portsmouth.

I am a retired Police Officer, with extensive experience in safeguarding and investigation and also have experience of safeguarding in a Church of England context, across numerous dioceses.

Safeguarding, in simple terms, in keeping everyone safe from harm. The Diocese of Portsmouth’s ‘Live, Pray, Serve’ vision speaks of ‘seeking growth in depth of discipleship, impact on society and the numbers of those who are becoming disciples of Christ’. Helping the Church feel like a safe place for people and their families to worship, socialise and work can only help to encourage more people to become involved in Church life and assist the Diocese in achieving that vision.

The DSAP is always interested in hearing feedback and comments regarding safeguarding matters in the Diocese. I recently invited Parish Safeguarding officers (PSOs) to voluntarily attend the DSAP, on a rotational basis, in order to understand, first hand, how safeguarding is being delivered and received at a parish level and to give PSOs the opportunity to have an input into safeguarding decisions that are made at DSAP. I am delighted to say that we have had a significant number of volunteers and we are in the process of organising the attendance rota. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who have already volunteered and further encourage any PSOs, who would like to attend, to contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator, Theresa Winship, who will add your name to the rota.

If you wish to comment, compliment or complain about how a safeguarding concern has been dealt with, my contact details are as follows:

Kerry Young: c/o Diocese of Portsmouth, First Floor, Peninsular House, Wharf Road, PO2 8HB Email: kerry.young@portsmouth.anglican.org