The January 2022 meeting of the National Safeguarding Steering Group, NSSG, was chaired by the lead safeguarding bishop.

Safeguarding consultant Jane Humphreys has been appointed as the independent reviewer into the Church of England’s handling of the allegations relating to the late Revd Trevor Devamanikkam.

Steve Reeves has been appointed as the third member of the Church of England’s Independent Safeguarding Board, ISB. 

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have welcomed two key appointments to the new Independent Safeguarding Board.

Safe Spaces, the independent support service for survivors of Church-related abuse, run by the charity Victim Support, marks its first anniversary this week. 

Summary of September meeting 

It was announced that the Bishop of Truro, Philip Mountstephen, is joining the NSSG and will take on the role as Chair of the Redress Scheme Project Board. It was noted that the extensive programme of work in safeguarding will need additional new episcopal members. The Terms of Reference of the group also need to be reviewed to ensure that they are fit for purpose in the context of the implementation of the Independent Safeguarding Board.

A statement from National Safeguarding Team.

The meeting was chaired by the Church of England’s lead safeguarding bishop, Jonathan Gibbs, who welcomed members and congratulated Mark Steadman (currently Archdeacon of of Stow and Lindsey  in Lincoln Diocese) on his appointment to Chief of Staff at Bishopthorpe and welcomed new NSSG member Mark Humphries, Oxford Diocesan Secretary. Mark Steadman will continue on the NSSG in his new role.

At its April meeting General Synod unanimously approved the draft Safeguarding (Code of Practice) Measure which strengthens and clarifies the obligation to follow safeguarding guidance.