15 July 2019
Sarah Elliott has been appointed as the new Independent Chair of the Safeguarding Partnership Boards (SPB), replacing Glenys Johnston OBE, who leaves her post in August at the end of her six-year term.
Sarah will be the first Pan-Island Independent Chair of the SPBs. She will be working across Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney to safeguard children and vulnerable adults.
After a career in the National Health Service as a nurse and health visitor, Sarah was the Chief Nurse for the South of England, where she led on the quality and safeguarding agenda along with multi agency initiatives such as the Transforming Care Programme for People with a Learning Disability.
Recently, she completed a 3-year contract as the Independent Chair for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Local Safeguarding Children Board and the Dorset Local Safeguarding Children Boards.
Sarah is a member of the National Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel for England which was formed in July 2018. She is also a special advisor with the Care Quality Commission and an Assessor with the College of Policing for senior policing appointments.
Following her appointment, Sarah said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as the Pan-Island Independent Chair for Children and Adults Safeguarding Boards. The safety and welfare of children and vulnerable adults is fundamental to communities and I’m looking forward to working across the Channel Islands to ensure we have the most effective safeguarding arrangements possible.”
Chief Minister of Jersey, Senator John Le Fondré said: “We are delighted to welcome Sarah as our first Pan-Island Independent Chair. The role will span our islands, helping us to build on the relationships with our neighbours by sharing good practice and learning. It can only strengthen the links between our governments.
“We are thankful to Glenys for the work she has done during her six-year term in office. Her legacy sets out a solid foundation for the future.”
Deputy Jane Stephens, Social Policy lead for Guernsey’s Policy & Resources Committee said: "The skills and experience Sarah brings to her new role as the first Pan-Island Independent Chair will be a huge asset to both islands, but it’s also excellent to see another example of how the two islands can come together to provide real expertise in an area that is so important to the well-being of our communities."
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