Church of England appoints first national child protection adviser

Janet Hind is to be the Church of England's first National Child Protection Adviser. The half-time post has been created to co-ordinate the development of policy and best practice in child protection and to provide advice to the House of Bishops, Archbishops' Council and dioceses in support of the network of diocesan child protection staff. " I look forward to this new post, which I see primarily as one of encouraging co-ordination, both within the Church of England and between ecumenical partners," said Mrs Hind. "The development of this post shows the commitment of the Church of England to the safeguarding of its children." Mrs Hind has extensive experience as a professional social worker and diocesan adviser. She holds an MSc in Social Work Studies and has 14 years' professional experience with West Sussex County Council, as a senior social worker and team leader handling child care and child protection matters. She has been the Child Protection Adviser for the diocese of Guildford since 1997. Her husband is the Bishop of Chichester. She will take up post in August. Policy co-ordination and support of the network of diocesan child protection staff in the Church of England was previously provided by the Board for Social Responsibility.