Scrutiny and Validation Panel
Our independent Scrutiny and Validation Panel are responsible for making decisions about accreditation. It is not the reviewer who decides on accreditation but the Panel, as this ensures we have fairness and quality assurance built into our process.
The Role of the Panel
- To approve safeguarding reviews, reports and accreditation decisions.
- To ensure reviews are robust, consistent, and aligned with statutory requirements and recognised best-practice standards.
- To provide independent scrutiny, validation and quality assurance or the work we do.
- To challenge our reviewers and seek further evidence from reviews to ensure our standards are met and frameworks followed.
Our Panel Members
Our Panel brings together experienced professionals from education, health, social care and legal disciplines to provide independent scrutiny and validation of safeguarding practice.
Dr. Dan Grant
Panel Chair
Dr Dan Grant is a registered independent social worker and former inspector for Ofsted, Estyn and HM Probation Service Inspectorate.
He has vast experience of education, social care, criminal justice, complaints investigation and independent safeguarding reviews. Dan is a published academic and has served as a social work and safeguarding expert for Ofqual. Dan’s PhD is in Safeguarding.
Priscilla McGuire
Panel Member
Priscilla McGuire has vast experience of regulation and inspection of children’s centres and independent schools.
She is a governor of an ‘outstanding’ sixth form college and vice-chair of a clinical commissioning group.
Kathryn Townsley
Panel Member
Kathryn Townsley is a former senior inspector in further education and skills, children’s centres and early years.
She has extensive experience as a member of the Ofsted policy board for safeguarding and contributed to national policy decisions and the development of inspection frameworks. Kathryn has qualifications in teaching, nursing, midwifery and health visiting.
Erica Lorenzon
Solicitor
Erica Lorenzon studied law in Brazil and subsequently completed her legal qualifications in the UK. She is a qualified solicitor based in Leeds, with a strong professional interest in safeguarding.
Erica brings legal expertise and a clear commitment to promoting high standards in the safeguarding of children and adults, strengthening the Panel’s legal insight and scrutiny.
Yvonne Grant
Panel Member
Yvonne Grant is an experienced children’s centre manager. She is a qualified specialist public health practitioner, paediatric nurse and health visitor with a special interest in safeguarding and disability.
Peter Donnelly
Panel Member
Pete Donnelly is a registered social worker and senior mental health specialist with extensive experience in adult safeguarding, mental health legislation, and statutory social care.
He has worked at senior practitioner and advisory level within local authority and NHS settings,
leading safeguarding investigations, contributing to regulatory-aligned audits, and specialist training.
Dr. Dan Grant
Panel Chair
Dr. Dan Grant is a registered independent social worker and former inspector for Ofsted, Estyn and HM Probation Service Inspectorate.
He has vast experience of education, social care, criminal justice, complaints investigation and independent safeguarding reviews. Dan is a published academic and has served as a social work and safeguarding expert for Ofqual. Dan’s PhD is in Safeguarding.
Priscilla McGuire
Panel Member
Priscilla McGuire has vast experience of regulation and inspection of children’s centres and independent schools.
She is a governor of an ‘outstanding’ sixth form college and vice-chair of a clinical commissioning group.
Kathryn Townsley
Panel Member
Kathryn Townsley is a former senior inspector in further education and skills, children’s centres and early years.
She has extensive experience as a member of the Ofsted policy board for safeguarding and contributed to national policy decisions and the development of inspection frameworks. Kathryn has qualifications in teaching, nursing, midwifery and health visiting.
Erica Lorenzon
Solicitor
Erica Lorenzon studied law in Brazil and subsequently completed her legal qualifications in the UK. She is a qualified solicitor based in Leeds, with a strong professional interest in safeguarding.
Erica brings legal expertise and a clear commitment to promoting high standards in the safeguarding of children and adults, strengthening the Panel’s legal insight and scrutiny.
Yvonne Grant
Panel Member
Yvonne Grant is an experienced children’s centre manager. She is a qualified specialist public health practitioner, paediatric nurse and health visitor with a special interest in safeguarding and disability.
Peter Donnelly
Panel Member
Pete Donnelly is a registered social worker and senior mental health specialist with extensive experience in adult safeguarding, mental health legislation, and
statutory social care.
He has worked at senior practitioner and advisory level within local authority and NHS settings, leading safeguarding investigations, contributing to regulatory-aligned audits and specialist training.
Information
Contact Us
Leaders in Safeguarding Limited is a company registered in England and Wales.
Registered Office: 34 School Lane, Appleby, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire DN15 0AN Company No. 05797929 VAT No. GB139596466.