Safeguarding Advisers' Accreditation
We are pleased to announce that Sean Augustin and Lynn Everton have been officially certified as Diocesan Safeguarding officer and Deputy officer respectively. These are a more senior role to the Advisor role they previously held.
This is a further demonstration of our commitment to strengthening our safeguarding practices in Chester Diocese.
The Bishop of Birkenhead, Julie Conalty said: "This accreditation recognises both the professional standing of our safeguarding team and the quality assurance processes that we now have in place in Chester Diocese."
Background
Legislation enabling the Church of England to start introducing the new post of Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, in line with the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), was brought into force after a vote by the General Synod.
Members of the Synod that met voted to amend Church law to rename Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers as Diocesan Safeguarding Officers (DSOs).
The DSOs are operationally independent of their diocesan bishops and have responsibility for professional leadership on safeguarding and management of safeguarding matters.
Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers did not have the same powers and only advised bishops.
The change in the law provides for the professional supervision of DSOs and for the quality assurance of their work by the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team (NST).
The change come into force in a diocese upon certification by the Archbishops’ Council.
3 October 2025