IICSA Recommendations 5 and 6
Recommendations
In October 2020, the Independent Inquiry Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) published its Investigation Report “The Anglican Church, Safeguarding in the Church of England and the Church in Wales”. This report considered the extent to which the Church of England and the Church in Wales protected children from sexual abuse in the past and examined the effectiveness of current safeguarding arrangements.
Two recommendations were made for the Church of England and the Church in Wales regarding information-sharing.
Recommendation 5: Information-sharing between the Church of England and the Church in Wales
The Church of England and the Church in Wales should agree and implement a formal information-sharing protocol. This should include sharing information about clergy who move between the two Churches.
Recommendation 6: Information-sharing between the Church of England, Church in Wales and statutory partners
The Church of England, the Church in Wales and statutory partners should ensure that information sharing protocols are in place at a local level between dioceses and statutory partners.
Overview
The National Safeguarding Information Sharing Project comprises of three elements:
The Church of England and the Church in Wales Information Sharing Framework and Agreements: These important documents enable lawful information sharing between the Church of England National Church Institutions, dioceses, cathedrals and bishops offices, as well as between the Church of England and the Church in Wales.
National Police Data Sharing Agreement: This Agreement will cover all geographical police forces, the Church of England National Church Institutions, dioceses, cathedrals and bishops offices, as well as the Church in Wales.
Statutory Partners: Engagement with Local Safeguarding Children Partnerships and Local Safeguarding Adult Partnerships to put in place local level information sharing arrangements with Church of England dioceses and Church of Wales.
Project team
Senior Responsible Officer Nathalie Ballard, Deputy Director Partnerships, National Safeguarding Team
Senior Project Manager – Tracey Watkinson, Safeguarding Programme, National Safeguarding Team
Bev Bickley – Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Safeguarding Programme, National Safeguarding Team
Lead User – Madi McAllister, Information Governance Officer, Data Services, Church of England Central Services
Contact Us
If you have a question about the National Safeguarding Information Sharing Project, please contact the project team at our email address: