It's Not Just Policy, It's Personal | The Church of England

'It's Not Just Policy, It's Personal' is a campaign to raise awareness of how to recognise and report safeguarding concerns. The campaign will run from 1st June - 14th June 2026. The resources are designed to build confidence in responding and taking appropriate action.

Two key recommendations from the Makin Report, published in 2024, focused on how the Church can have confidence that abuse, both current and non-recent, is being reported. We have given careful consideration to how this could best be achieved, and we are running a two-week pilot campaign to raise awareness of how to report safeguarding concerns.

Safeguarding guidance and codes of conduct are statutory and must always be followed, but this campaign reminds us that these are not simply processes to be followed. At the centre of every safeguarding concern is a person who has taken the difficult step of disclosing harm or risk. Creating a safe space for people to report, and how we respond to them, matters.

We have developed a suite of resources available to download below. These are designed to be flexible and can be used in a way that suits your setting, whether digitally, in print, or as part of local conversations. A guide to using the resources is included to help you decide how best to use them in your context.

The materials are based upon the Reporting Safeguarding Concerns & Allegations Code of Practice which can be found here.

Statement from Bishop Robert, Lead Bishop for Safeguarding

Safeguarding in the Church of England is not simply about compliance with guidance or completing the right forms. It is about people and for those of us who seek to follow Jesus, it is about how we live our faith. It’s Not Just Policy, It’s Personal is a timely reminder that at the heart of every safeguarding concern is a human being who has taken a brave and often costly step in speaking about harm.

The Makin Report has rightly challenged us to be confident that abuse, whether current or non‑recent, is being recognised, reported and responded to well. That confidence is built not only through clear processes, but through the quality of our human response when someone discloses a concern. How we listen, how we explain what will happen next, and how carefully we handle what is shared can make a profound difference to whether people feel believed, respected and protected.

The four Rs - Recognise, Respond, Record and Refer - are not tick‑boxes. They are a framework that helps us act justly and compassionately, ensuring that concerns are taken seriously and passed to those who can help keep people safe. Doing this well serves both the person at the centre of the disclosure and the wider community.

I commend this campaign and its resources to dioceses, parishes and all church officers. I hope they will support us all to approach safeguarding disclosures with clarity, care and courage, so that our practice reflects not only our policies, but our Christian commitment to dignity, truth and protection for all.

A Guide to Using the Campaign Resources