During the summer, Sean Augustin joined the safeguarding team at Church House as an Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, to help and support our Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSOs).
The Parish Safeguarding Officer is the key link between the diocese and the parishes, concerning safeguarding matters. They have an overview of all church activities involving children, young people, and vulnerable adults and seek to ensure the implementation of safeguarding policies. The role can be taken by one person, or the role shared, for example with one person covering children the other vulnerable adults.
With nearly three hundred churches in our diocese, it's a big task to ensure that all of our PSOs are properly supported, which is why the decision was made to expand the safeguarding team.
Sean began his career in the 80s working for the Metropolitan Police and from there he moved to Scotland Yard as a detective across various departments including CEOP, Child Exploitation, and Online Protection command which deals with online safety and abuse through the use of the internet.
In recent years he has been working in the commercial sector, with international law enforcement and security services.
He says: "I'm looking forward to assisting many PSOs across the diocese during my time here. I know that the safeguarding team has been doing a fantastic job and I'm very much enjoying being part of such dedicated people."
Sean has four children, two boys, and two girls, and enjoys cycling and his two motorbikes.
Are you a PSO in need of support?
Contact Sean Augustin at Church House