A former policeman has been named as the new independent chair of the Diocese of Carlisle’s Safeguarding Advisory Panel.
Allan Harder, a former detective superintendent, worked for North Yorkshire Constabulary for more than 30 years, serving as the force’s lead on safeguarding for four years.
He retired from the force in February 2022 and since then has also acted as the independent DSAP chair for the Diocese of York.
He takes over the role after previous chair, Carol Holt, announced she was to step down. Carol had also acted as an independent reviewer for the Diocese of Carlisle as part of the Church of England’s national Past Cases Review 2.
Allan said: “It was lovely to be asked about taking on this role. It is important for a number of reasons: to help ensure the Church is a safer place and in turn that the people of Cumbria are safer.
“After talking with members of the safeguarding team, knowing that I had the time and skills needed for the role, I decided this was something I very much wanted to do. It will be a role in which I can advise, share information, discuss, and support. However, being independent means I can also challenge where necessary and professionally hold the diocese to account.
“It is reassuring to see the high priority that the Diocese of Carlisle places on safeguarding as together we will work to ensure that our church communities are safer places for children, young people and vulnerable adults.”
The panel meets quarterly, and its membership includes clergy, a local authority officer, police representation, a representative for victims and survivors of church-related abuse, and diocesan officers.
The panel offers advice and challenge both to the Diocese and Carlisle Cathedral as a ‘critical friend’.
Its functions include providing a source of independent advice and expertise on sound safeguarding policies, procedures and practices to the bishops and other senior clergy and officials and to have particular regard to the Church’s responses to survivors of abuse perpetrated by church officers, whilst also considering responses to others in church settings who are survivors of abuse.
The Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh, Bishop of Penrith and diocesan lead on safeguarding, added: “I am so pleased that Allan has agreed to take on the role of independent DSAP chair.
“He has a wealth of experience in the field of safeguarding both in his professional policing capacity and through his work with the Diocese of York. This will be vital to our work as we seek to embed the strongest possible safeguarding protocols.
“I would also like to thank Carol Holt for the dedication, experience, and wisdom which she brought to her time as independent chair.”
