The Church of England is supporting this year’s Safeguarding Sunday, 10 October 2021.

NEWS / General Synod today voted to endorse key priorities for action on safeguarding, focusing on themes which came out of the first set of hearings, in March, by IICSA (Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse) into the ‘Anglican Church’.

Synod today voted unanimously to fully accept the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse’s (IICSA) final investigation report into the Anglican Church. 

Victim Support has been awarded the contract to manage Safe Spaces, a joint Church of England/Church in Wales and Catholic Church in England and Wales (CCEW) project to provide a vital support service for survivors of church-related abuse.

The Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team (NST,) has today published the key findings and recommendations, along with the full report, from the independent review into the processes used in the Bishop George Bell case.

A Betrayal of Trust, the independent report into the Church's handling of the allegations concerning the late Hubert Victor Whitsey, former Bishop of Chester, was published in October.  

Melissa Caslake, the Church of England’s national director of safeguarding, is moving on to a new role as Chief Officer for Children’s services for Devon County Council.

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 new service providing vital support for survivors of church-related abuse has become operational.