17/11/2014
The Rt Revd Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham today announced the appointment of a new full-time National Safeguarding Adviser for the Church of England.
Graham Tilby is currently employed by Ofsted as an HMI (Social Care), a post he has held for 11 months. He has over 23 years' experience in children's social care having worked across three local authorities in the West Midlands region.
Prior to joining Ofsted, Graham was a senior manager for 11 years in Dudley, leading the Safeguarding & Review Service, which included management of the Independent Reviewing Service and the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LCSB). He chaired a number of the LSCB sub-groups such as Serious Case Review, Child Death Overview Panel and Training & Development. As the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) he had a leadership role in the development of safer recruitment and employment practices across the authority and in the region. Graham has taken a lead role in developing quality assurance, learning and improvement for the local authority and has led the inter-agency responses to a range of safeguarding issues over the years, including e-safety and the prevention of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Graham has previously undertaken peer support/challenge and tailored sector specialist work on behalf of the Local Government Association and C4EO respectively. He has been actively involved in establishing and managing two Sure Start Children's centres and a project aimed at preventing child sexual abuse, in collaboration with major voluntary organisations. He has been a member of the Stop it Now! UK & Ireland Advisory Committee, Becta's E-Safety LSCB Experts Panel and the Virtual College E-Safeguarding Academy.
He is a co-founder and Director of Black Country Food Bank which works in partnership with local churches. He is married with two children and attends Chawn Hill Church, Stourbridge. His interests include leading worship, playing tennis, running, walking and photography
He hopes to take up his post with the Church of England in January, subject to the completion of an enhanced DBS Check.
Bishop Paul Butler said today:
'I am delighted to welcome Graham to lead the National Safeguarding team at the Church of England. He brings with him an impressive track-record in safeguarding at local and regional level as well as considerable experience in developing policies and advising on the changing external context for safeguarding. I am sure that he will bring great energy, expertise and enthusiasm to this exciting role to lead the national Church's policy work on safeguarding.'
Graham Tilby said today:
'I am very excited about joining the Church of England working in partnership with the dioceses, parishes and other organisations including the Methodist Church under the covenant working arrangements on safeguarding. I passionately believe that everyone in the churches can play a part in making sure that the church is as safe as it can be and is making a difference in wider society. It is a privilege to bring together my professional safeguarding knowledge and my faith as a Christian to support the mission of the Church and its commitment to help transform communities and people's lives.'