The Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) holds strategic responsibility for the governance of safeguarding in the Diocese of Southwark.
The DSAP ensures that the Diocese has suitable safeguarding procedures in place, that training is available and appropriate, and that the work of the Diocesan Safeguarding Team is quality assured.
The panel meets four times a year and typically looks in depth at each of the three Episcopal Areas in the Diocese, and the Cathedral, on a rota basis. In 2020, the focus has been on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and on the implications of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) report on the Anglican Church (more information on IICSA can be found on the main Safeguarding page). The Area/Cathedral focus will be reintroduced in 2021.
The Independent Chair of the DSAP is Chris Smart, a former Detective Chief Inspector in the Metropolitan Police, with many years’ experience of managing child abuse teams in London. Alongside Chris, the panel includes senior Diocesan staff, the Safeguarding Team, and representatives of parishes and of statutory services.
Complaints
If you are unhappy about how a safeguarding matter has been handled, and wish to make a complaint, please write to Chris Smart c/o Trinity House, 4 Chapel Court, Borough High Street, London SE1 1HW, or e-mail him on [email protected]
