MALTA
The Malta Independent on Sunday
Andrew Azzopardi, who currently heads the English Football Association’s Safeguarding Team, is touted to head the Curia’s revamped Response Team, The Malta Independent on Sunday has learnt.
The Curia announced yesterday new procedures for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and said investigations will be concluded in a shorter timeframe. It also announced the appointment of a Safeguarding Commission, which will be staffed by professionals.
The Curia said the members of the commission will be announced by the end of January but this paper is reliably informed that Mgr Charles Scicluna has asked Mr Azzopardi to lead it and the former is expected to accept the offer.
When contacted by The Malta Independent on Sunday, Mr Azzopardi said he could not confirm or deny that he will take up the post or if he has been offered it.
Mr Azzopardi specialises in safeguarding child development and sport. He manages the FA’s team responsible for dealing with the concerns of safeguarding in football. Mr Azzopardi has 15 years’ experience of working with children as a professional or volunteer. He previously worked with the NSPCC, where he completed risk assessments and offered therapy in child abuse cases, and in frontline child protection teams in various local authorities in London, and has worked with asylum-seeking minors in Malta.
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