We are delighted to announce that Dr Liza Thompson has been appointed as the new Chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP).
DSAP is a group of external safeguarding professionals, along with senior clergy and officers from the Diocese and the Cathedral, who provide quality assurance and challenge in regards to safeguarding.
They provide strategic oversight and advice to the Bishop and Dean in regards to the implementation of guidance, training and resourcing of safeguarding.
Oversight of the Past Cases Review and Learning Lessons Reviews are a key part of their work.
Liza is an Independent Domestic Homicide and Safeguarding Adult review author for Kent County Council.
She has supported vulnerable people for over 20 years in a variety of roles, from operational roles of Tenancy Support Officer, Welfare Benefit Assessor, and Independent Domestic Violence Advisor working with high risk domestic abuse survivors, through to strategic roles as the CEO of a domestic abuse charity, Safeguarding Adult Review Author, and voluntary roles as Primary School Chair of Governors.
She has a PhD in Law, which she studied for part-time whilst growing the charity SATEDA, which works to see an end to domestic abuse.
She has a husband and two teenage children, and when she is not busy with one of her many roles, she loves reading and weight lifting, and walking her two Jack Russells.
On her appointment Liza says:
“I have always been driven to champion people who are marginalised. I like to keep busy, love a challenge and I am really excited to be joining the Diocese Safeguarding Advisory Panel as they move onto their next phase of growth.”
Bishop Simon Burton-Jones has welcomed Liza’s appointment:
“Liza brings a wealth of experience in safeguarding to bear in her new role for us. Having met her, I am very impressed by two things: she will tenaciously hold us to account on safeguarding, without partiality, and will do so with warm interpersonal skills. That combination makes for excellent team work."
The Dean of Rochester, the Very Reverend Dr Philip Hesketh says:
"We are fortunate indeed to have someone of such experience as Chair of the DSAP. It feels as if Liza has arrived at just the right moment to move us forward as a Diocese and Cathedral. I look forward to working alongside her."