Meet the Team
The Safeguarding Commission primarily works within the Church in Malta. However, we also offer support to other organisations through policy development, training, and risk assessments on individuals against who an allegation was made. Our aim is to support you to create a positive and safe environment for minors and vulnerable adults.
The safeguarding commission is made up of the Safeguarding Advisory Board, the Head of Safeguarding, the Safeguarding Office, and the Safeguarding Review board.
The Safeguarding Advisory Board is composed of six experienced professionals, including a paediatrician, psychiatrist, social workers, and a warranted clinical psychologist. They are also assisted by a lawyer.
The Head of Safeguarding is responsible for overseeing the Safeguarding Office, serves as the primary liaison with the Maltese Episcopal Conference and the Conference of Major Religious Superiors, and is the direct link between all Church Entities, the statutory authorities and the Safeguarding Commission.
The Safeguarding Office is formed of a group of professionals subdivided in three different teams. These teams are the prevention and training team, the victim care and advocacy team and the investigation and assessment team.
The Safeguarding Review Board is composed of four members set up by the Maltese Episcopal Conference to be used on an ad hoc basis. Safeguarding Review Board – Maltese Ecclesiastical Province (srb.mt)

Safeguarding Office

+(356) 2247 0950
mark.pellicano@safeguarding.mt
Mark is a qualified social worker and specialises in safeguarding children and counselling. Most recently Mark served as Children’s Services Senior Manager at Fondazzjoni Sebħ – a Church organisation offering residence services for children unable to live with their families. Mark, who holds a warrant in Social Work and in Counselling, has extensive experience in the field, providing counselling at Richmond Foundation, and having occupied several related positions as well lecturing at the Faculty for Social Wellbeing at the University of Malta. Mark is the Head of the Safeguarding Commission.

+(356) 2247 0951
carly.zarb@safeguarding.mt
Carly is a warranted social worker specialising in safeguarding after obtaining a MSc in Safeguarding in an International Context (UCLan, Lancashire). She started her social work practice within the Child Protection Directorate mostly focusing on child abuse investigations and working with children and their families. She then joined the Safeguarding Commission in 2021 as a Safeguarding Officer and in July 2023, she took up the role of Senior Safeguarding Officer within the Investigations and Assessment team of the Safeguarding Office. Carly was always involved in activism; at university level she occupied the role of Social Policy Officer within the student organisation TDM2000 Malta. She currently forms part of the Maltese Association of Social Workers Executive, previously holding the role of Secretary General and presently as the International Relations Officer.
Safeguarding Advisory Board






Past Members
- Andrew Azzopardi
- Rev. Dr Joseph Farrugia
- Dr Joseph Sammut
- Dr Kevin Borg
- Dr Clarissa Sammut Scerri
Share our vision and join our team
If you would like to be informed about future opportunities feel free to get in touch.