News

Eileen Shearer has been appointed the first director of the Catholic Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults by the Catholic Church in England and Wales earlier this week.

Shearer will oversee the Catholic Church's national strategy for child protection. The office will advise the Church on best practice in the field. It will also co-ordinate the development of policies and procedures on the prevention of abuse and the protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

The office was established following the recommendation in last November's final report of the independent review on child protection, chaired by Lord Nolan.

Shearer said: "I am absolutely convinced that the Roman Catholic Church has listened to Lord Nolan's report and is taking this seriously."

She said her first task was to discuss with the child protection unit a timescale of its work. This includes awareness raising in the Church, reviewing selection procedures and training for staff and volunteers, and responding to allegations of abuse.

Shearer, who described herself as agnostic, spent 16 years at the NSPCC in positions from front-line services to senior management. She said she was taking on the job because she was "very committed to making sure children are protected wherever they may be".

Announcing her appointment Archbishop Vincent Nichols, chairperson of the office's management board, said: "This appointment is a demonstration of our commitment to take a conscientious approach to the children in our care."