Safeguarding Structures Reform Programme

The independent Chair of the Safeguarding Structures Reform Programme, Dame Christine Ryan, welcomed the independent audit report from INEQE Safeguarding Group into the work of the National Safeguarding Team. In her letter to stakeholders, she said: "The report findings provide a useful external perspective, and we note many areas of alignment with the programme’s current direction. We will now consider the report in full, alongside other evidence including public consultation and stakeholder engagement, as we continue to advance the next phase of safeguarding reform."

A formal consultation on the design of a new safeguarding Authority for the Church opened on 16 April and ran until 17 May. Hundreds of people attended information briefing sessions designed to support participation. Find out more here. 

General Synod voted to approve strategic plans that will help strengthen Church safeguarding and rebuild trust. At the core of the reforms set out in General Synod paper GS2429, is the creation of a new national safeguarding charity which will operate independently of Church hierarchy, governed by a majority-independent Board. 

General Synod paper GS 2429 was published ahead of General Synod. It outlined a vision for a new charity, an operationally independent organisation, led by a majority-independent non-executive Board. 

Dame Christine Ryan was appointed Executive Chair of the new Safeguarding Structures Programme Board. The Board is overseeing the three-year initiative to deliver on the General Synod’s mandate to create a safer, more trusted, and sustainable safeguarding system across the Church.

A written update (GS MISC1417) on the Safeguarding Structures programme for the Church of England is published for General Synod in July 2025. The paper detailed the responsibilities, governance structure, and timeline for developing future safeguarding functions and transferring some operational roles.

General Synod voted decisively for greater independence in the Church of England’s management of safeguarding. The vote followed debate of the Future of Church Safeguarding Synod paper, produced by the Jay Response Group, the precursor to the Safeguarding Structures Programme. 

In February 2025, General Synod voted decisively for greater independence in the Church of England’s management of safeguarding. The vote followed debate of the Future of Church Safeguarding Synod paper. 

The Safeguarding Structures Programme is the name of the programme that has been set up to deliver these reforms. The aim of the programme is to strengthen safeguarding through improved consistency and quality of service, and to rebuild confidence and trust in Church safeguarding through greater operational independence and scrutiny of safeguarding activities. General Synod paper GS 2429 outlines proposals for achieving these aims.

In February 2025, General Synod endorsed plans to move the Church towards greater independence of its national safeguarding functions, whilst retaining local employment and delivery of safeguarding in dioceses, cathedrals and parishes. In February 2026, General Synod will be asked to endorse plans for a new national charity, the Independent Safeguarding Authority, as set out in paper GS 2429. The proposals directly address long-standing concerns about consistency, complexity, and conflicts of interest. Key features include the introduction of a standardised safeguarding complaints process; the creation of a national external ombudsman service to provide final, independent resolution for safeguarding complaints; and independent scrutiny functions. In addition, mechanisms for improved consistency in handling concerns will be provided through enhanced support for local safeguarding teams, with strengthened oversight, training, and professional advice.

Following the February 2025 General Synod vote, the focus was on the essential setup of the programme to ensure the right expertise and governance was established. This involved establishing a team of specialists and the recruitment of independent experts with a diverse range of skills to form the Programme Board. Taking time to build these firm foundations is essential to the success and integrity of the programme and this initial stage was largely completed by the end of last year. 

Since her appointment in October 2025, the Executive Chair, Dame Christine Ryan, has conducted a rigorous review of governance, introducing changes that guarantee robust, majority-independent decision-making. The committees and Board are now functioning effectively, and there has been significant progress on policy development. This work has culminated in a realigned strategic plan, published in January 2026, which outlines a clear strategic proposal to strengthen Church safeguarding through greater independence, improved quality, scrutiny, and consistency. With General Synod’s endorsement, a detailed programme plan will be delivered swiftly to implement these changes. 

The work is led by our independent Executive Chair, Dame Christine Ryan. She chairs the Safeguarding Structures Programme Board, which is a responsible for delivering strategic oversight and decision-making on safeguarding reform. The Board is a delegated committee of the Archbishops’ Council and is tasked with making recommendations for final decision to the trustee body, reflecting its legal, fiduciary and reputational responsibilities as a registered charity. 

The Board is supported by a clear committee structure focusing on essential workstreams, and two groups provide expert advice without compromising the Board's independent decision-making:

1. The Safeguarding Practice Advisory Group provides advice so that Board members understand the Church context and take appropriate account of the practicalities of Church operations and practice, in the full range of settings.  
2. The Finance and Risk Assurance Group provides oversight and assurance of the risk register, finance and risk management for the Safeguarding Structures Programme.

The staff team support the work through a range of professional services. 

A number of the Safeguarding Structures Programme Board members are also survivors of Church-related abuse. They provide vital insights and perspectives, helping the Board make sound decisions informed by survivor experience. Each survivor contributes as a full voting member of the Board. 

Wider engagement with survivors and victims is central to the programme’s work. Engagement activities are advertised through the Church of England’s survivor participation newsletter.

2024

• Response Group on reviews announced
• A motion to enter a period of engagement on both the Jay and Wilkinson reviews was passed by General Synod by an overwhelming majority in February 2024
• Publication of Jay Report
• Letter to Church Times from chair of the Response Group

2023

• June - Archbishops' Council statement on the future of the ISB
• July - Professor Alexis Jay, former IICSA chair, commissioned to look at proposals for independent safeguarding scrutiny and other related issues of independence.
• September - Interim Commissioner announced to ensure case reviews promised by the former ISB can continue.
• December - Independent Review from Sarah Wilkinson published into first phase of Church's ISB

2021

• The Independent Safeguarding Board, ISB, was set up in following a decision by the Archbishops' Council and House of Bishops to support the development of an independent safeguarding oversight body. 

2018-2022

• Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, IICSA - Church of England hearings and reports

Key Documents

• The Future of Church Safeguarding
• Legal advice note on creating independent safeguarding arrangements for the Church of England
• Wilkson-Jay Engagement Plan NCI's Privacy Notice V2