national safeguarding
At times it has been a rollercoaster, but I have tried to be faithful in responding to victims and survivors of church-based abuse, not least as a trustee of Safe Spaces, the telephone support service for victims and survivors of church-based abuse and as a member of the National Redress Project Board and the National Safeguarding Steering Group.
But there is always more that can be done (I am currently on the national safeguarding committee looking at complaints, scrutiny and an ombudsman-type function) and there is no room for complacency.
Synod approves budgets, legislation and national safeguarding structures.
I wish to see national safeguarding material that is rigorous about practice and rooted in the equal dignity of every person.
I am currently a member of the Redress Board (National Safeguarding Team) and am trained in reconciliation (bridge builders) and trauma-informed practice.
The church has done a lot of catching up on safeguarding at all levels, and more is needed to keep up with national safeguarding requirements and to support survivors of abuse, but we need to ensure that all proposals are workable and not overly burdensome for those in ministry so that we can effectively make the church a safe place for all.
National Safeguarding Panel
In 2023-24, I chaired the National Safeguarding Panel, an independent Panel that scrutinises the safeguarding work of the Church of England.
e As Chair of the National Safeguarding Panel, I led independent scrutiny of safeguarding across the Church of England during a period of significant change
e Member of the National Safeguarding Structures Programme Board planning the future independence of safeguarding in the Church of England
e -Asa member of the National Safeguarding Structures Board, I am committed to seeing the structural reforms through to completion.
I will campaign for a genuinely independent national safeguarding system, properly
To help make this possible, I have served on the National Safeguarding Steering Group, as well as being a member of the Redress Scheme Board.
overwhelmingly to endorse a new national safeguarding charity with a board majority independent of the Church; detailed proposals returned in July, and legislation is to follow.
There are so many issues that must be addressed at General Synod - the car- crash that national safeguarding policy is, again an issue that has impacted in Truro diocese.
The development of national safeguarding bodies and policy is essential to enable strong teams to be built in each Diocese.
National Safeguarding remains high on the agenda for the next quinquennium.
I will continue to push for a truly independent National Safeguarding organisation that will provide both challenge and support for those working in our parishes and dioceses to create a safer church.
I believe we need genuinely independent oversight of diocesan and national safeguarding teams, to give survivors and others confidence that the church is a safe place.
supporting churches through complex situations, advising senior leaders, delivering safeguarding training, undertaking risk assessments and contributing to the development of national safeguarding resources.
In February 2025, following publication of the Jay Report, General Synod voted to set up a new independent body to have oversight over national safeguarding.