Two new members appointed to the National Safeguarding Panel (NSP)

Two new members have been appointed to the National Safeguarding Panel (NSP) which is chaired by Meg Munn.

Sally Hodges Expert member, safeguarding children & Chair of Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel 

Sally is an experienced former Children's Services Director. During the past 10 years she has worked with local authorities facing challenging issues, most recently as interim CEO of Bradford Children & Families Trust. As the current chair of Lincoln Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel she will bring knowledge of safeguarding in a diocese. She replaces Amanda Edwards, former Deputy Director of the Social Care Institute for Excellence, who has reached the end of her term.

Peter Willson,  Survivor Representative

Peter joins the NSP as a survivor representative and also brings to the role over 26 years of experience as a surgeon, safeguarding patients through policy making, education, coaching and example. He has worked under a Statutory Duty of Candour to patients throughout his career. He has been in church leadership for many of those years and as safeguarding officer has had first-hand experience in managing abuse in church settings. He is a medical expert witness and also a hospital medical director with responsibility for patient safety. Peter is involved in other aspects of safeguarding policy in the church through the survivor engagement network of the National Safeguarding Team. Peter takes over from Phil Johnson, who has completed his term of office, having served as a member since the Panel’s inception.

Welcoming the appointments, Meg Munn, Independent Chair said, “I am delighted to welcome Sally and Peter. Sally’s extensive experience in children’s safeguarding, her work in turning round organisations in difficulties and her knowledge of safeguarding within a diocese will provide the Panel with important perspectives for our scrutiny work. Peter brings his personal experience as a survivor of abuse within the Church alongside his extensive professional experience and knowledge of safeguarding in parish churches. The experiences of survivors are at the heart of the Panel’s work as is his aim to improve the Church’s response to survivors.”