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 Janet Ayoola. Janet has over 15 years’ worth of experience in social work, predominantly in children’s services. She is a qualified social worker, committed to safeguarding and with extensive experience in statutory services, independent consultancy and safeguarding advisory roles. Her expertise spans statutory child protection, independent social work and advisory roles in the third sector, where she has worked to empower charities and voluntary organisations to strengthen their safeguarding practices. Alongside Janet, 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 Janet Ayoola c/o Trinity House, 4 Chapel Court, Borough High Street, London SE1 1HW.
