12/07/2022
Following previous contact with the Child Safeguarding Review Panel by Melissa Caslake (the former National Director of Safeguarding), all independent learning lessons case reviews commissioned by the Archbishops' Council have been shared with Peter Sidebotham, who is our designated contact for the Panel. Zena Marshall (the present Interim Director for Safeguarding) met with Mr Sidebotham in June 2022 and discussed recently published Church case reviews. Mr Sidebotham and the National Director of Safeguarding are committed to meeting at least every 6 months.
Updated arrangements for safeguarding case reviews within the Church of England will be detailed in a forthcoming House of Bishops safeguarding policy. The policy has been substantially revised and is due to go out to full consultation during September 2022. This consultation will include victims, survivors, key church officers and the three houses of Synod. It is anticipated to be presented for approval at the National Safeguarding Steering Group (NSSG) in December 2022, followed by the potential of a debate at General Synod in February 2023.
This is an update following our earlier response to this recommendation.