independent safeguarding
The approval of a new independent safeguarding body is a significant development, but its success for both survivors and our parishes depends upon its implementation.
I am aware that concerns around safeguarding have been a sginificant issue oer the past 5 years and I warmly welcome moves towards the establishment of an independent safeguarding body to scrutinise the Church of England in this respect.
Independent safeguarding is the way forward.
Having decided that safeguarding must be governed independently of the Church, the key question during the next quinquennium is how independent safeguarding should be.
I would support some measure of independent safeguarding oversight and I would support Synod in holding senior leaders to account over safeguarding.
Independent safeguarding.
• Independent Safeguarding & Social Graces: I fully endorse the establishment
of an Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) to act as an external regulatory body.
A recent annual report published by INEQE notes resistance to proposals for an independent safeguarding body, arising ‘from a small group of influential senior officers at the diocesan level and certain individuals within the national Church’.
Given all the reviews and recommendations, I believe that we will not restore confidence in the Church of England’s approach to safeguarding until we have an independent safeguarding body.
We need independent safeguarding which has to be perceived as such by victims and survivors, who we need to place front and centre.
Safeguarding: General Synod will have important work to do on: (i) legislation to establish an Independent Safeguarding Authority responsible for policy development and external oversight and on a new Code of Practice to govern complaints handling.
Stronger, independent safeguarding will be fundamental to whether people trust Synod — and, more importantly, whether they continue to trust a Church that has caused widespread moral injury through its failures.
Robust and Independent Safeguarding
I fully support General Synod’s ongoing steps toward establishing an Independent Safeguarding Authority and standardized complaints processes.
I lament the revelations of terrible abuse in the Church of England over recent decades and support the ongoing work towards new national, independent safeguarding structures.
The implementation of independent safeguarding structures and the continued response to past failures will require careful scrutiny, effective legislation and a determination to rebuild trust through accountability, transparency and compassion for victims and survivors.
• Safeguarding and Redress: I support the urgent delivery of genuinely independent safeguarding and
I have campaigned for change in clergy pensions, recognising the need for fairness and dignity, and have consistently argued for a move towards independent safeguarding, to rebuild trust and confidence.
What does independent safeguarding look like?
I will also want to continue to push for the CofE’s leadership take victims and survivors seriously as the move towards full, truly independent safeguarding continues.
I believe the Church needs independent safeguarding, and a serious engagement with survivors - our Diocese is a lead in this.
There’s been a lot of good work done in this area, but there are still significant steps ahead as we move to an independent safeguarding model (which is not a simple thing, given we have 42 dioceses to move into it!).
Over the life of the next synod safeguarding reforms will be implemented and we will have the opportunity to work towards embracing a truly independent safeguarding system which places listening to victims and survivors at the heart of our processes.
The Ecclesiastical Committee found muddled Church plans and questioned how an independent safeguarding body could fit into CENS.
The Synod should protest because scarce volunteers, working hard to maintain church buildings on behalf of their communities and the nation, now have to raise more charitable funds to pay to the government in tax. > The proposed new Independent Safeguarding Authority should be set up as quickly as possible – to increase confidence within and outside the church, and limit the continuing damage from cases of abuse, and from the failures to deal with them effectively.
The Church of England has rightly committed itself to implementing the Makin recommendations, but important work remains, including the development of genuinely independent safeguarding arrangements.
After the failure of the Independent Safeguarding Board, the Church needs
3. Safeguarding reform: I am fully supportive of robust, independent safeguarding oversight, whilst recognising the need for safeguarding practices to be grounded in a realistic understanding of the day-to-day realities and unique pastoral context of parish ministry.
I am passionate about Everyday Faith and wish to continue contributing to the flourishing of the Church of England and, most importantly, to enable everyone in this country to live life in all its fullness through knowledge of the Gospel. “Throughout her time at Synod Jane has been a constant attender, and a constant supporter both of good independent safeguarding, and transparency and accountability in our governance.
In 2024/5 I served on the Jay/Wilkinson Review Group which proposed a way forward for more robustly independent safeguarding structures, proposals currently working their way through the synodical process.
We need to implement the Independent Safeguarding Structures, (although I have deep concerns about the current proposals), have clarity for our parishes and improve our credibility with the Charity Commissioners whist making the burden on our volunteers and paid staff manageable.
Independent Safeguarding Board, did
The next Synod will complete major safeguarding scrutiny reforms and pass the law that sets up a new independent safeguarding body, along with the detail needed to make it work.
I support fully independent safeguarding arrangements, ensuring that scrutiny and accountability are never compromised by institutional interests.
We need humility, honesty and a fully independent safeguarding body. Spending priorities are a sign of our values, particularly in times of financial constraints.
• to establish new Structures for safeguarding with a new independent Safeguarding
I am the Archbishops’ Council representative on this Board setting up the new independent safeguarding authority for the Church of England.
There are significant agenda items for this coming quinquennium, including establishing a new independent safeguarding authority for the Church, the ongoing work on human sexuality, and the National Funding for Diocesan Ministry Review, looking at how we can best distribute the significant funding from the Church Commissioners to Dioceses and Parishes.
I fully support the move to independent safeguarding structures and mandatory compliance, ensuring that victims and survivors are heard.
Measure in 2027, to establish new Structures for Safeguarding with a new independent Safeguarding Authority and Complaints System and to continue
Whether we are navigating our ongoing conversations around relationships, sexuality, and gender, establishing genuinely independent safeguarding oversight, or navigating the rollout of the Clergy Conduct Measure, my approach remains the same.
Legislation is yet to be drafted and, while the Charity Commission has asked for independent safeguarding structures to be implemented by the summer of 2027, the programme is not expected to be completed until the end of 2028.
I support the use of national funds for independent Safeguarding teams for every diocese.
The Church has made progress with regard to safeguarding in recent years but we need to do more as we continue to strive for culture change and as we look for fully independent safeguarding structures.