Joint head for protection committees

Glenys Johnston OBE has been appointed as Jersey’s first Joint Independent Chair for Children and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding. 

 

The Council of Ministers decided to set up a new Vulnerable Adults Protection Committee (VAPC) in October 2012 to put in place multi-agency arrangements to help safeguard vulnerable adults in our community. The VAPC will share a Joint Independent Chair with Jersey’s Child Protection Committee (JCPC), which has been led by an Independent Chair for a number of years. This will help ensure joint learning and working between the two committees.

 

Glenys Johnston, who will be taking up the role of Joint Independent Chair in mid-February, is an independent consultant social worker. She was previously the Independent Chair of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Local Safeguarding Children Board and an Audit Commission Affiliate Inspector. She currently undertakes inspections of local authority Children’s Services in addition to a range of other independent social work contracts.

 

Senator Paul Routier, Assistant Chief Minister with special responsibility for Social Policy said “This new post of Joint Independent Chair creates a single identifiable safeguarding champion, which will help ensure strong cohesive leadership across both our children and vulnerable adults protection committees. It is a significant step forward in helping ensure we protect all vulnerable people from crime and abuse and that we make joined-up policy decisions that support their well being.”

 

He added “We are delighted that Glenys, who has a wealth of experience and skills, has agreed to take on this new role. She will play a key role in setting up and shaping the new Vulnerable Adults Protection Committee as well as carrying on the great work that has already been undertaken by Mike Taylor, the outgoing Chair of the JCPC.”

 

Jersey’s new Vulnerable Adults Protection Committee will have the power to commission serious case reviews to investigate apparent failures in service in the event of harm coming to a vulnerable adult. It will also make recommendations to the newly established Vulnerable Adults Policy Group, which will provide robust political leadership across all services that impact on, benefit or protect vulnerable adults in Jersey.

 

 

These arrangements will mirror the existing relationship between the Jersey Child Protection Committee (JCPC) and existing Children’s Policy Group (CPG). The CPG is a cross-departmental ministerial group which works to provide robust political leadership across all issues affecting the wellbeing of children and young people in Jersey. This includes acting on the advice of, and receiving regular reports from, the JCPC Independent Chair.

 

Deputy Anne Pryke, current Chair of the CPG said “We would like to extend our thanks to Mike Taylor for all he has achieved over the past three years as JCPC Chair. In addition to overseeing the publication and subsequent service improvements following Jersey’s first ever serious case review, he has led significant developments in multi-agency working. In January, the CPG received his final report as Independent Chair and was pleased to note and endorse the achievement of the JCPC and the strength of the multi-agency commitment to safeguarding our children.”

 

Glenys Johnston, incoming Joint Independent Chair said “I am delighted to accept this position and feel privileged to have been offered this opportunity to work with the States of Jersey and its partners on behalf of the Island’s families and children.”