redress
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.
I am currently a member of the Redress Board (National Safeguarding Team) and am trained in reconciliation (bridge builders) and trauma-informed practice.
The future shape and mission of the Church of England, the pressures facing parish ministry, questions of finance and sustainability, the ongoing work around safeguarding and redress, clergy wellbeing and conditions of service, the challenges of church growth, and the wider question of how we become a Church that is confident in proclaiming the Gospel while engaging honestly with the society around us, are all issues which require careful and mature discussion.
The previous Synod passed a new Clergy Conduct Measure (CCM), a redress scheme for survivors, and the next phase of safeguarding reforms, including external scrutiny.
I have spoken in debates on a wide variety of subjects including safeguarding and the safeguarding redress scheme, burial and funeral fees, the clergy dignity and fairness retirement review, support for looked after children, the Armed Forces Covenant and the cost of living.
If re-elected, I will continue to ensure the safeguarding restructure and redress scheme are fit for purpose, stand up for the parish and fight for a preferential option for the poor.
The redress scheme is long overdue.
Getting finances right means committing to parish ministry, enabling redress to those who have suffered church abuse, letting Project Spire do its work and so much more.
During the discussion of the Abuse Redress Measure my intervention, together with that of others, has resulted in some mitigation of the potential impact on Parishes and their PCCs with any parish contribution now being voluntary rather than mandatory, as had been proposed, and limited to 25% of the redress payment rather than the total payment involved.
I will vote to ensure survivors receive independent redress and that our safeguarding structures are completely transparent and legally robust.
The Redress Measure becoming law is welcome progress.
• Safeguarding and Redress: I support the urgent delivery of genuinely independent safeguarding and
the robust, trauma-informed operation of the Redress Scheme.
Passionate about Safeguarding, I was pleased to serve as a member of the Legislative Steering Committee and Revision Committee for the Abuse Redress Measure 2025.
The committee blocked legislation for lack of credibility/independence Also I note CC Annual Accounts 2025, provision of £137 million for Redress Scheme cost.
Safeguarding and ensuring that the Church takes seriously its responsibility to protect the vulnerable and to redress the damage inflicted on victims of abuse
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.
scrutiny that is independent in fact and not only in name, and a Redress Scheme which works for victims and survivors without delay.
Safeguarding: The Church must continue to grow in transparency, accountability, and independent redress, ensuring we listen thoroughly to victims and survivors.
There remains vital work to do on safeguarding, including independent scrutiny and redress for victims and survivors, alongside continuing questions about clergy wellbeing, pay, housing, pensions and the reform of clergy discipline.
I will support safeguarding arrangements that are independent, trustworthy and transparent, together with proper redress for victims and survivors.
At General Synod, I have supported and voted for: The Church’s lament for safe- guarding failures and moves toward independent scrutiny and oversight and a redress scheme.
We must build on recent progress (such as pension redress) to support clergy flourishing.
As well as the above, I have wide experience in the field of Human Rights and, in particular, opposing torture around the world (as a trustee of Redress as well as being on the Liberty Policy Council for many years).
Beyond these three priorities, I will give serious attention to safeguarding, including the Redress Scheme for survivors, and to the finances that shape what our parishes can do.
I will seek to redress this balance. breadth of experience.
the Abuse Redress Measure and authorised new Liturgies for the Creation in Christ and the 21 Martyrs of Libya.
We also have a Redress Scheme to compensate victims.
It was a privilege to have been a member of the Abuse (Redress) Steering Committee - bringing scrutiny to the Measure (legislation) for this compensation scheme before it was approved by Synod.
The new Clergy Conduct Measure, which has recently come into force, has made some positive changes, and the Abuse Redress Measure is expected to come into force by the end of the year.
But the model of ministry, whereby ordained individuals hold an office, and are not employees as such, needs reform: to provide clear, public, and accountable avenues of redress when questions are raised.
Redress must be delivered with compassion.
The Redress scheme for those who have suffered abuse at the hands of present and past Church of England clergy is another area which synod needs to keep at the forefront of its agenda during the next quinquennium.
Voting record: For safeguarding restructure, independent scrutiny and redress scheme.