Michael Walker began as Director of Safeguarding for the Congregation in December 2025. He has over 40 years of experience in safeguarding; having overseen a police sex offenders’ unit, worked with high-risk sex offenders released into the community, managed a children’s social care team, and later the Teesside Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Board in addition to his more recent work described in the interview. Michael is married to a nurse who also works in safeguarding; he has one son who is training to be a teacher and two labrador dogs called Oscar and Mable!
Interview by Liam Michael Quinn, Congregational Communications Manager
LMQ. What drew you to the role of Director of Safeguarding for the Congregation?
Michael Walker. The mission to protect and empower girls, women, and children deeply resonated with the work I have been involved in for over 40 years: seeking to protect – through safeguarding – the most vulnerable in society.
For much of the previous decade, I have been working as national operations manager for the England and Wales Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency, the British provinces of various religious congregations, and as the safeguarding coordinator of a diocese in England.
However, during these recent years, I’ve increasingly felt a call to return to a position where I can see safeguarding in action rather than from behind a desk developing and reviewing policies and procedures.
When I saw the position of director of safeguarding and began to discover more about the Good Shepherd mission, I was inspired by the work and outcomes and felt no hesitation in applying for this role – I felt that this was a mission that I wanted to be a part of.
How do you see the work of safeguarding becoming ever more involved in Good Shepherd mission development?
I see safeguarding as the golden thread that underpins and transcends everything we do in mission. Together with the Congregational Safeguarding Team, we will ensure that safeguarding is fully understood and practiced throughout the Congregation.
We can only achieve this with the active participation of sisters and partners-in-mission at the program, community, and unit levels by raising awareness, setting standards, and providing training.
This work will build upon the tremendous work carried out by Sandra Neville, Jane Nway, and all those involved in safeguarding to embed safeguarding into every aspect of the global mission – from a Congregational level to a grassroots level.
How does safeguarding connect with the life, vision, and values of Saints Mary Euphrasia and John Eudes?
As I read more about the lives of St. Mary Euphrasia and St. John Eudes, I see how their vocation and mission sought to reach out to and protect the most vulnerable in society.
The fourth vow of “zeal for the salvation of souls” underpins the safeguarding message of who we are and what we do: it is about being zealous in our care for each other and in our commitment to do no harm.
For me, the concept of safeguarding shines through as one of the core values they practiced throughout their lives – long before the term was coined. It is part of the story of the Congregation; it is within our DNA and for us to draw out and continue to weave into our story.
What do you hope to achieve for the Safeguarding Office within your first year as Congregational Director of Safeguarding?
My previous experience has taught me that Safeguarding is an evolving – often misunderstood – concept and that people often don’t want to become involved in it or are frightened by it.
It is my job to make sure that everyone understands the importance of safeguarding and that they actively promote it and live the safeguarding journey. I am also passionate about embracing a victim-centered approach, seeking to implement new ways to improve their experience when they report a concern.
For me, the concept of safeguarding is quite simple: recognize where help is needed, protect the vulnerable, do no harm, and if you see something, report it. It is a concept that perfectly aligns with Good Shepherd safeguarding!
I’m eager to visit various units to see how they are implementing safeguarding in practice and seek to strengthen their policies and processes. My first visit is to Kenya, where safeguarding practices continue to be developed. I look forward to meeting the team and seeing firsthand how safeguarding is put into practice there.
Any last words…?
Since I took up the post several weeks ago, I have met and been working alongside many sisters and partners-in-mission, and I would dearly like to put on record that I have felt such a warm welcome by everyone – I have been made to feel at home. Before I began this post, I could only read about the Good Shepherd charism and spirituality – I now have the honor to experience it and embrace it.
Thank you to all those whom I have met who have helped in my induction to the Good Shepherds!
