The Church of England is currently responding to two important safeguarding reports looking at ways forward on independence (including external scrutiny) and reflecting on lessons learnt on the former Independent Safeguarding Board, ISB.
The report from barrister Sarah Wilkinson sets out a detailed account of events around the first phase of the ISB until the announcement of the termination of contracts of members in June 2023. The Review, published in December 2023, makes findings on the reasons which led to the decision to terminate and identifies lessons to be learnt.
The report from Professor Alexis Jay, former chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, IICSA, makes recommendations for a new independent safeguarding and scrutiny body for the Church of England. Professor Jay was commissioned by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to carry out this work in July 2023 and her report was published in February 2024.
Updates
Thank you to all those who contributed responses to the Wilkinson/Jay Response Group’s initial engagement survey. This ran from 21 March to 18 April. We received 2,003 responses, covering every Church of England diocese. Staff will now spend some time analysing the full breadth of responses received and drawing out themes for further consideration. A summary of survey results will be published in advance of the next meeting of General Synod.
In April, the Response Group also appointed Lesley-Anne Ryder as independent co-chair alongside Bishop Joanne Grenfell, Lead Bishop for Safeguarding. Lesley-Anne is an experienced CEO and chair who has worked in national and local government and the health and charity sectors.
From 23 April, the Response Group is beginning a round of interviews and focus groups with groups including survivors of abuse, safeguarding professionals and senior clergy. Interviews and focus groups will further explore themes identified in the initial engagement survey, and will be run by professional facilitators. Additionally, the Response Group has been privileged to hear from safeguarding experts from outside the Church, as well as from several organisations which have experienced similar processes of change.
Contact the team
A Response Group, chaired by the lead safeguarding bishop, will oversee engagement work on these reviews, and an independent co-chair is also being appointed - see revised Terms of Reference.
For all enquiries email [email protected]
Support
If you or anyone you are in contact with are affected by the publication of this report and want to talk to someone independently please call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or visit safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk.
Alternatively, you may wish to contact the diocesan safeguarding team in your area or the National Safeguarding Team at [email protected]. There are also other support services available.