We are delighted to announce that Yvette Ladds has been appointed as the Diocese’s new Safeguarding Support and Engagement Officer, starting full time on Monday 24 November 2025. She will join the Diocesan Safeguarding Team alongside Jo Van Lachterop (Diocesan Safeguarding Officer) and Kelly (Safeguarding Administrator). Recruitment is also under way for a Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, further strengthening the team’s capacity.

Yvette brings over 20 years’ experience in youth work across Cumbria, including nearly 13 years leading Solway Network Youth Church and earlier work on an ecumenical project in the Eden Valley while completing a degree in informal and community education (youth work).

In this new role, Yvette will:

• support and equip Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSOs) with advice, encouragement and training
• help churches use the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard and Safeguarding Hub systems
• deliver and coordinate safeguarding training for clergy, lay leaders and volunteers
• respond to safeguarding queries and provide practical guidance to parishes and the Cathedral
• build positive working relationships that strengthen safeguarding culture and practice across the diocese

Jo Van Lachterop said: “I am delighted to welcome Yvette to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. Yvette has a wealth of knowledge and experience both working with, and supporting, young people in a church setting. Her dedication to creating a safer church for all has been evident from the work she does as a Network Youth Leader, and she has been a valued member of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel. I look forward to working together to enhance the work already commenced to create a healthy safeguarding culture across the diocese. I am positive that Yvette’s passion and ‘can do’ attitude will provide excellent support to our parishes and wonderful PSOs.”
Yvette Ladds said: “I am excited to be joining the Diocesan Safeguarding Team in this new role and am looking forward to building positive working relationships with our Parish Safeguarding Officers and parishes across the diocese. I have thoroughly enjoyed the past 13 years leading and developing the Solway Network Youth Church and will be sad to leave them. However, I will be continuing to work with them in my new role and am looking forward to the new challenges ahead.”
We are grateful for Yvette’s faithful service with Solway Network Youth Church and acknowledge this transition will be sensitive as they look to appoint a new youth leader. Please pray for Solway Network Youth Church as they begin the process of recruiting Yvette’s successor. We look forward to Yvette’s contribution as she helps strengthen and support safeguarding across the Diocese.

Yvette will start her role in late November.